2026 Morton MicroGrant Information and Application

Introduction

The purpose of the Morton MicroGrant Program is to stimulate job creation, support early-stage businesses, encourage service expansion, advance workforce development, and strengthen other foundational efforts that contribute to long-term business growth within the Village of Morton. The program provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to entrepreneurs who are committed to launching or expanding a business in the Village of Morton.

The Morton MicroGrant program is funded through a directed investment with the Morton Economic Development Council made by Morton Community Bank, a company founded and headquartered in Morton, Illinois.

The Morton MicroGrant is administered by the Morton Economic Developement Council, an organization that exists to positively shape the future of Morton through high quality job creation and local investment.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Morton MicroGrant, applicants must:

Be a for profit business owner.
Be legally capable of entering into a binding contract.
Have a current or proposed business location in Morton, IL.
Be current on business/personal taxes, student loans and child support payments.
Have a proposed project that leads to job creation, service expansion,or workforce development for the Village of Morton.
Have secured all other funding needed to complete the submitted project.
Have not previously received a Migrogrant as the business owner for the inquiring business.

Eligible uses for grant funds may include, but are not limited to:

construction or real estate acquisition
physical property improvements
equipment or technology purchase/upgrades that enable growth
service or project expansion
workforce training or development
inventory and working capital
rent subsidies

The Morton MicroGrant will not consider grant proposals for retroactive funding of projects, operating deficits, or retirement of debt.

Application

Morton MicroGrant applications are available through the Morton Economic Development Council at www.mortonedc.org or 309-263-2491.

To apply:

Applicants should complete and submit a Morton Microgrant Application. The application should be accompanied by at least two letters of support.

Review

Submissions will be reviewed by designated representatives of the Morton Economic Development Council. Applicants will be contacted if further information is needed. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:

Job Creation - How does the project support local job creation? Funding determined by full-time equivalent (FTE) over the next twelve months. $1,000/FTE up to $5,000.
Service Expansion - How does the project support local service expansion? Funding determined by current full-time equivalent (FTE) on payroll. $1,000/FTE up to $5,000.
Workforce Development - How does the project support local workforce development? Funding determined by current full-time equivalent (FTE) on payroll. $1,000/FTE up to $5,000.
Action Plan - How well defined is the action plan?
Likelihood of Success - How feasible is the project in terms of time, budget requests, and available resources?

Grants are subject to availability of funding. Funds allocated annually to Morton MicroGrant program.

All Morton MicroGrant Applicants must be willing to submit a credit review. If you have had prior personal or business experience that has resulted in a poor credit record, please include a letter of explanation with your application.

All Morton MicroGrant Recipients will be asked to place a decal in the window of their business recognizing the funding award for a minimum of one year. Decals are supplied to recipients by the Morton EDC. All Morton MicroGrant Recipients will be asked to provide a short narrative summary on how funds were used and the impact made within their business by January 31, 2027.

Applicant Name*

First NameLast Name

Applicant Title

Business Name:

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Email*

example@example.com

Project Title

Contact Person*

First NameLast Name

YesNo

If no, what year does your lease expire?

Currently, how many full-time (FT)employees do you employee?

Currently, how many part-time (PT)employees do you employee?

1. Project Description: Describe the proposed project.

2. Project Objectives: List the specific objectives for the project and how it will lead to job creation, service expansion or workforce development in the Village of Morton.

Project Action Plan: List the steps needed to complete the project.

Job Creation: Define the number of jobs that will be created by full-time equivalent (FTE) and part-time employees (PT) over the next twelve months. For new businesses, company owner(s) can be accounted for in job creation numbers.

Project Budget: Provide a detailed, itemized budget for the project including all sources of funding and how the Morton MicroGrant funds will be used. Please indicate which sources of funding have NOT been secured. Morton MicroGrant funds cannot be used for anything that has already been purchased prior to a grant award.

Project Timeline: Describe your project timeline including when the project will begin and when it will end.

Resume: Include a resume or biography of yourself and other key individuals involved in the project.

Letters of Support: Please attach at least 2 letters of support to your application.

Invoice (or Quote): Please attach an invoice (or quote) for any purchases to which the funds will be allocated.

Attached additional supporting documents as needed.

Questions regarding the application can be directed to Kim Litwiller. klitwiller@mortonillinois.org (309) 263-2491

2026 Morton MicroGrant

Morton MicroGrant Information

Morton MicroGrant Application