• DCEO

• • CDBG Public Infrastructure Program
    • Description: “The purpose of grants relative to the Public Infrastructure (PI) Notice of Funding Opportunity is to fund water and sanitary systems and storm sewer construction projects that alleviate public health, safety, and public welfare and help communities with substantial low to moderate-income populations. Project areas must be primarily residential in character.”
    • Eligibility includes: “Only units of general local government (i.e., cities, villages, townships and counties) may apply for funding.”… “Municipalities must not be a HUD direct Entitlement community or be located in an urban county that receives “entitlement” funds.”
    • Award Range: $300,000 – $1,500,000
    • Deadline: August 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM

• • CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program
    • Description: “The purpose of grants relative to the Housing Rehabilitation (HR) Notice of Funding Opportunity is to provide units of general local government with funds to address housing needs of eligible low[1]to-moderate income (LMI) households. The program targets projects which preserve single[1]family, owner-occupied housing needing rehabilitation and encourage neighborhood revitalization.”
    • Eligibility includes: “Only units of general local government (i.e., cities, villages, townships and counties) may apply for funding.”… “Municipalities must not be a HUD direct Entitlement community or be located in an urban county that receives “entitlement” funds.”
    • Award Range: $300,000 – $800,000
    • Deadline: August 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM

• • Small Business Development Centers
    
    • Description: “…“DCEO” is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to seek qualified host organizations to operate Illinois Small Business Development Centers and provide program services.” “…Illinois SBDCs deliver professional, high-quality, individualized, confidential one-on-one advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Fully accredited institutions of higher education such as public and private universities, state, and community colleges.
      • Private nonprofit organizations engaged in economic development activities.
      • Local counties or municipalities with established community/economic development departments and/or programs.
      • Public economic development institutions such as workforce investment boards and economic development corporations.

“…specifically in the geographical areas noted below. Any areas outside of those listed below will not be considered.

• • • • • This area includes: (this was updated in the NOFO in March 2, 2026)
          
          • City of Chicago Neighborhoods
            
            • Far Southeast Side (Chatham, Avalon Park, South Deering, Hegewisch, Riverdale, West Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, Calumet Heights, South Chicago)
        • Cook County Municipalities
          
          • Elgin 
        • Counties
          
          • Grundy and Kankakee
      • Award Range: $80,000 – $525,000
      • Deadline: rolling
  • Innovation Vouchers Program
    • Description: “Innovation Vouchers will provide grants for companies to engage in research projects in partnership with an Illinois institute of higher education. This will facilitate the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment, and ultimately lead to the production of more Illinois-based goods and services and spur economic growth in the state.”
    • Eligibility includes: “Illinois-based companies with 500 or fewer total employees; Commit to maintain operations in Illinois for duration of project; Businesses that operate in key industries, including agribusiness and agtech; energy; information technology; life sciences and healthcare; manufacturing; and transportation and logistics”
    • Award Range: “…cover up to 75% of the cost of the research engagement (not to exceed $75,000).”

For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.  

• Additional State Government

• • Illinois Specialty Crop Block Grant
    • Description: “The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will distribute more than $796,000 over the next three years to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      • “Entities eligible for grants under the SCBGP are:
        • Nonprofit organizations.
        • Local government entities.
        • Tribal governments.
        • Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals.
        • For profit farmers or producers who are connecting the public and/or other farmers or producers to specialty crops with educational programs.”
      • “Illinois funding priorities include projects that benefit beginning farmers and first-time specialty crop producers (a beginning farmer is an individual or entity that has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and substantially participates in the operation), projects with educational programming to enhance knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, projects connecting specialty crops with nutrition and health outcomes, including food safety, projects that prioritize sustainability and conservation.”
    • Award Range: max of $75,000
    • Deadline: June 5, 2026 at 12:00pm

• • Illinois Capital Development Board – Art-in-Architecture Program
    • Description: “The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Education Building in Chicago, Illinois.”
    • Deadline: June 17, 2026 at 3:00pm

• Federal Government

• • Manufacturing in America E2G Grant Initiative
    • Description: “The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to invite proposals for funding from established organizations interested in providing innovative hands-on, in-person manufacturing training and technical assistance to eligible small manufacturing business concerns, under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Empower to Grow Program (formerly known as 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program).” Open nationwide to: “Be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity (including, but not limited to small businesses, other-than small businesses, trade and professional associations, and educational institutions);…”
    • Award Range: $5,000,000
    • Deadline: June 15, 2026 at 10:59pm

• Local Governments

• • City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund
    
    • Description: “promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.”
    • Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties
    • Deadline varies

• • City of Chicago Community Development Grant
    
    • Description: “The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Small, Medium and Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards.” “Applications are open to business owners, property owners, non-profit organizations, community developers and entrepreneurs.”
    • Award Range: Small: up to $250,000; Medium: $300,001 to $5 million and Large: $5 million and up
    • Deadline: Small and Medium due August 14, 2026 and Large accepted on rolling basis

• • City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
    
    • Description: “The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides capital development grants…for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors. NOF grants are provided as reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible project expenses…”
    • Award Range: up to $250,000
    • Deadline: May 15, 2026
  • City of Chicago Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation (CCSA) Program
    
    • Description: “The Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation (CCSA) program is helping to revitalize 12 South and West Side business corridors through targeted improvements to underutilized and vacant commercial spaces.”
    • Award Range: “…grants that fund up to 75% of eligible project costs for qualifying small businesses and property owners”
    • Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • City of Chicago CityArts Program
    • Description: “The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. The CityArts Program aims to support a diverse group of arts and culture nonprofits reflective of the city of Chicago and its cultural landscape through flexible and strategic grant funding.” Two types of grants will be offered: General Operating grants and Project grants.
    • Award Range: up to $50,000 (varies depending on organization’s average annual revenue)
    • Deadline: June 3, 2026 at 12pm

• • City of Champaign Downtown Refresh Program
    • Description: “Downtown Refresh is a competitive reimbursement grant for ground-floor storefront and customer-facing interior improvements in downtown Champaign.”
    • Award Range: “Up to $50,000 per building (up to $100,000 per property owner across multiple buildings)”
    • Deadline: June 19, 2026

• • Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program
    
    • Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries:
      
      • Dry cleaning facility
      • Auto body or auto repair shop
      • Metal finisher
      • Metal fabricator
      • Food and beverage manufacturer
    • Award Range: up to $300,000 (please note, “To receive a BRITE grant, small businesses must complete the interest survey by DES or must have had a similar environmental assessment conducted by a DES partner or third party.)

• • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant
    • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”
    • Award Range: $10,000 – $20,000

• Private/Community Resources

• • Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)
    
    • Description: “SomerCor helps small businesses purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate through the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 financing. With SomerCor’s new Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP), eligible businesses in Cook County can receive a grant to reduce upfront costs when purchasing their first building.”
    • Award Range: up to $25,000

• • American Heart Association Ventures – Social Impact Funds
    
    • Description: “The Social Impact Funds support community-led transformation by strategically deploying capital to social entrepreneurs who are using their lived experience to tackle three vital social drivers of health [health care access & quality, food security and economic empowerment]”. “…currently accepting applications for projects in Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York City, Philadelphia, Toledo and West Virginia. Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding from the Social Impact Funds.”
    • Award Range: $150,000 – $500,000

• • Menlo Anthology Fund
    
    • Description: “The Anthology Fund is a $100M initiative between Menlo Ventures and Anthropic to fund the next generation of AI startups. We invest in Seed and Series A startups with check sizes starting at $100K”.
    • Award Range: several but includes “$30,000 in free Anthropic credits”
    • Deadline: rolling

• • The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Emergency Grants
    
    • Description: “The Community Foundation for McHenry County is committed to enhancing county services and expanding financial support to local non-profits.” “The Emergency Grant program supports nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that significantly impact their ability to fulfill their mission or deliver services. This grant is intended to help organizations address unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies.”
    • Award Range: unknown
    • Deadline: “This grant operates on a rolling application cycle

• • Intuit Quickbooks & Mailchimp: Small Business Hero Program 
    • Description: “Celebrate a small business in your community. Nominate a small business who has shown courage, perseverance and integrity…”. Open nationwide to entities (for profit business or nonprofit – 501(c)3) who have been established for at least one year.
    • Award Range: $20,000
    • Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 10:59pm

• • Chicago Community Trust – Sponsorships
    • Description: “Sponsorship grants are intended to support events that advance The Chicago Community Trust’s commitment to strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address the critical needs of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.” Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits in Chicago who are conducting events in June, July, and August.
    • Award Range: varies
    • Deadline: May 15, 2026

• • National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses from Founders First
    • Description: Open nationwide to: identify as a LGBTQIA+ business owner, must have between 2 to 100 employees, annual revenue does not exceed $5million, in business for at minimum 1 year, business is in the U.S.
    • Award Range: $1,000
    • Deadline: May 26, 2026

• • 2026 Boost Awards
    • Description: The 36Squared Business Incubator is accepting applications for the 2026 “Boost Awards” which includes funding to help boost the success of disabled Illinois entrepreneurs. “All applicants must be Illinois residents with some type of disability that poses a challenge to their success in launching or growing a business.
    • Award Range: Up to $1,000
    • Deadline: May 29, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • Request for Proposals: Next Generation Power-Building
    • Description: “Through this RFP, we are seeking proposals that center youth voice and agency, and empower young people to identify and act on issues that matter most to them. Open to Chicago nonprofits that place youth in meaningful decision-making roles, etc.
    • Award Range: $50,000 to $75,000
    • Deadline: June 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (LOI deadline)

• • 2026 Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant
    • Description: “Available to organizations [eligible nonprofits, 501(c)3] with programs aligned to the Emerging Philanthropists Fund grantmaking principles, which support grassroots, evidence-based, innovative, and collaborative projects that address unmet community needs.” “The Community Foundation of Central Illinois serves a 50-mile radius surrounding the City of Peoria (excluding Knox and McLean Counties).”
    • Award Range: up to $5,000
    • Deadline: June 10, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • Envisioning Justice Grants for Individuals
    • Description: “These project-based grants support individuals such as educators, organizers, artists, and others who use the arts and humanities to work toward a truly just society. Research projects, podcasts, grassroots publications, and public performances are just a few of the impactful initiatives we fund to create understanding about mass incarceration and its impact on communities in Illinois.”
      • “Applicants for this category include, but are not limited to: artists, humanists, community organizers, policy makers, journalists, and community advocates.”
      • “Based anywhere in Illinois; individuals from the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. However, applicants from anywhere in Illinois are eligible.”
    • Award Range: Up to $5,000
    • Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • Envisioning Justice Grants for Organizations
    • Description: “These project-based grants support collectives, non-profit organizations, and other groups that use the arts and humanities to work toward a truly just society. Prison education programs, independent media, community dialogues, and conferences are just a few of the impactful initiatives we fund to create understanding about mass incarceration and its impact on communities in Illinois”
      • “Must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization in good standing (learn what “good standing” means here) or have a fiscal sponsor.”
      • “Based anywhere in Illinois; individuals from the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. However, applicants from anywhere in Illinois are eligible.”
    • Award Range: Up to $10,000
    • Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • 2026 EmpowHer Grants Round 2
    • Description: “Female entrepreneurs 22 years of age and older with businesses registered and operating solely in the United States. An applicant’s business must make a social impact through its product or business model, be earning revenue, and not be more than five years old.” Open nationwide to eligible businesses.
    • Award Range: up to $50,000
    • Deadline: June 15, 2026

• • Allstate Main Street Grants Program
    • Description: “Presented in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), the Allstate Main Street Grants Program is here to support the small businesses fueling communities across the U.S.” “The program includes a 12-week virtual Boost Camp accelerator and will select 250 entrepreneurs to participate.”
    • Cost:  $20,000 (100 participants from the Boost Camp cohort will be eligible for these $20K grants)
    • Deadline: June 23, 2026 at 5pm

• • Made for Retail Chicago
    • Description: “SEED SPOT has partnered with Greenwood Archer Capital (GAC) to launch Made for Retail Chicago— a bootcamp and CPG pitch competition connecting Chicago-area consumer product founders with nondilutive capital, retail buyers, and the tools to get there.”
    • Geographic Coverage: Chicago, Cook County, and surrounding Collar Counties
    • Cost: Doesn’t appear to be a cost
    • Deadline: July 2, 2026

• • Safety First Grant
    • Description: Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits or government entities that operate in Norfolk Southern’s 22 state network (this includes Illinois), project must be 30 minutes from Norfolk Southern main line and be in alignment with one of Norfolk Southern’s focus areas.
    • Award Range: $1,000 to $15,000
    • Deadline: August 3, 2026 

• • Thriving Communities Grant
    • Description: Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits that operate in Norfolk Southern’s 22 state network (this includes Illinois), project must be 30 minutes from Norfolk Southern main line and be in alignment with one of Norfolk Southern’s focus areas.
    • Award Range: $1,000 to $50,0000
    • Deadline: August 3, 2026

• • Metro East Start-Up Challenge
    • Description: “…business plan competition to identify, encourage, and reward excellence in entrepreneurship in the St. Louis Metro East region (now including Fayette, Macoupin, and Montgomery Counties).”
    • Award Range: $28,000 in total cash prizes (grants vary from: $1,500 – $10,000)
    • Deadline: June 14, 2026 – August 9, 2026

• • Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 national grant
    • Description: Verizon, in partnership with LISC, will award $10,000 national grants to small businesses throughout the year. Each month, 10 small businesses will be selected for grants.
    • Award Range: $10,000
    • Deadline: Rolling from June – December 2026