ALTON – Alton City Council members this week unanimously rejected one of the first applications submitted under the city’s festival and event microgrant program.
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Alderwoman Martha Pfister said at the council’s Aug. 12, 2026 meeting that “unfortunately,” this year’s St. Mary’s Oktoberfest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church is not eligible for one of these grants, since the event’s primary function is to raise funds.
“Fundraisers” are among the event categories not eligible for grant funds under the terms of city’s microgrant program. Other ineligible events include private/exclusive events, political events, and any events receiving over 50% of their funding from other city-managed sources.
Pfister said shortly after the 0-7 vote that “we are all a fan of St. Mary’s.” She had previously moved to lay the item over after questioning its grant eligibility following the City Council’s July 22, 2026 approval of three other microgrant applications.
Comptroller Paul Fritsch pointed out issues with two other grant applications that were previously approved. A memo contained in the council’s meeting packet for Aug. 12, 2026 shows certain ineligible expenses were included on two of the previously approved applications.
At issue was a request from Alton Main Street to use the maximum grant amount of $1,000 to cover “entertainment” expenses for this year’s Mississippi Earthtones Festival. The city’s microgrant program terms list “entertainment” as an unallowable use of grant funding.
Other ineligible expenses were found within the application from Mooneyham Art for a free public art exhibit. The application requests grant funding to cover fees for contractual services, live music, desserts, and beverages, each of which are considered unallowable uses of grant funds.
Fritsch encouraged council members to send future festival and event microgrant applications to the Comptroller’s Office before approval so they can more thoroughly check for ineligible events or expenses.
City Clerk Lauren Wilson noted that the only way to apply for a festival and event microgrant from the city is to fill out the online form on the city’s website, as there are currently no paper applications available. The next deadline for grant applications falls on Sept. 1, 2026.
A full recording of the Aug. 12, 2026 Alton City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
