• DCEO
  • Future Energy Job Act Multi-Cultural
    • Description: “…to provide skill development, supportive, and training services for qualified, traditionally underserved participants seeking employment in the clean energy industry.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      • “Not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing the educational and leadership capacity of minority youth through the operation of schools, youth leadership clubs, and youth development centers.
      • “Non-profit organization that has a proven record of successfully implementing utility industry training programs, with expertise in creating programs that strengthen the economics of communities including technical training workshops and economic development through community and financial partners.”
      • “Non-profit organization that provides family services, housing education, job and career education opportunities that have successfully partnered with the electric industry on job training.”

• • • Award Range: $500,000
    • Deadline: November 24, 2025 at 11:59PM

• • 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.
        
        • Only applicants seeking to serve as an Illinois SBDC service center are eligible to receive direct awards from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Satellites may be included in service center applications but will not receive direct funding from DCEO; they must be supported through subawards or MOUs with their service center partner. Service centers may submit consolidated applications to host specialty designations, including International Trade Centers (ITCs) and manufacturing specialties.”

• • • Award Range: $80,000 – $525,000
    • Deadline: December 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM

• • Illinois Grocery Initiative – Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2) (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3295-2956)
    
    • Description: “The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.” “DCEO has contracted with Chicago State University (CSU) and Western Illinois University (WIU) to provide technical assistance services for Illinois Grocery Initiative applicants and grantees.” (page 1-2 of NOFO). There is a matching component please read the NOFO.
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Grants will be limited to projects making energy-efficient investments in existing bricks[1]and-mortar operations in Illinois.
      • This grant opportunity will be limited to independently-owned grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than 4 grocery stores.
      • Grocery locations must be consistent with the following to be eligible:
        
        • The store is or will be classified as a supermarket or other grocery retailer in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System under code 445110, a meat retailer under code 44524, a fruit and vegetable retailer under code 44523, or a fish and seafood retailer under 44525.
        • The store cannot derive more than 30% of its revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales.
        • The store must accept or will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children benefits.
        • The store must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in the community by selling fresh foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables that have not been processed in any manner”
    • Award Range: $25,000 – $250,000
    • Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)

• • Regional Site Readiness Program – Capital Ready – Round 2
    
    • Description: “…to support infrastructure and other capital improvements on sites across the state to advance the readiness of properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Local governments
      • Economic development organizations…
      • Nonprofit organizations
      • For-profit organizations
      • Private landowner”
    • Award Range: $100,000 – $5,000,000
    • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)
  • Regional Site Readiness Program – Planning – Round 2
    
    • Description: “…to support planning and due diligence activities for sites across the state to advance early-stage site readiness on properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
    • Eligibility includes:
      
      • “Local governments
      • Economic development organizations…
      • Nonprofit organizations
      • For-profit organizations
      • Private landowner”
    • Award Range: $150,000 – $150,000
    • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)

• SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program
  
  • Description: “to seek application proposals from qualified technical assistance providers to deliver assistance to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI1) or very small businesses (VSBs2) participating in, or seeking assistance from the state’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funded programs. The technical assistance providers will provide support to eligible beneficiaries of the SSBCI Technical (TA) Grant Program located in Region 4: North.”
  • Eligibility includes: “Legal, Accounting, or Financial advisory Non-Profit or For-Profit entities. Applicants must administer the following three (3) TA services services – legal, accounting, and financial advisory services – either directly or through a coalition of contractual partners NOFO ID: 2932-31688.” “The U.S. Treasury has provided guidance stating that entities must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be defined as a “legal, accounting, or financial advisory firm” for the purposes of the TA Grant Program:
    
    • 1. A primary purpose of the entity or a central part of the entity’s mission is to provide legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services,
    • 2. The entity regularly markets or publicizes itself as providing legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services, or
    • 3. At least 25% of the entity’s revenues or staff are dedicated to providing legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services.”
  • Award Range: $700,000 (we will only be awarding one grant)
  • Deadline: January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM

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

• Local Governments

• • City of Aurora – One Aurora Neighborhood Empowerment Grant Program
    
    • Description: “This program provides one-time funding to assist residents with reimbursement for projects such as paint, window, and door screen repair, siding repairs, general landscaping, fencing improvements, and small repairs that affect the exterior presentation of the home.”
    • Award Range: up to $1,000
    • Deadline: “…on a rolling basis until funds are depleted through December 31, 2025”

• • 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 – Medium
    • • Description: “…to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects.” “Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply…”
      • Award Range: $300,001 to $5 million
      • Deadline: February 13, 2026
  • City of East Moline: Business Improvement Grant (BIG) Program
    
    • Description: “The BIG Program is funded in large part through the City of East Moline’s Business Development District #2, established in 2024 to provide economic incentives through a 0.75% sales tax. Under the BIG Program, grant awardees are reimbursed for eligible project costs…” “Eligible Projects: Commercial or Industrial projects that are located or locating within the City of East Moline’s Business Development District… This area includes all major commercial and industrial areas of the city.”
    • Award Range: up to $50,000
    • Deadline: ongoing
  • City of Rockford – Commercial Corridor Property Revitalization Program
    
    • Description: “The City of Rockford’s Commercial Corridor Property Revitalization Program offers forgivable loans to business and property owners who make investment in commercial and industrial spaces in specific corridors in Rockford.”
    • Award Range: “Program covers 75% of a project costs up to $25,000”
    • Deadline: November 26, 2025
  • 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
  • Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program
    • Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.
    • Award Range: $5,000

• • National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) from Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
    
    • Description: “The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.” Organizations must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor.
    • Award Range: up to $30,000 per year

• • The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation
    
    • Description: “Affirm Cares funds 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who seek to make a positive impact in one or more of our core three pillars; financial literacy & inclusion, technology education & training, and vibrant communities.”
    • Award Range: $1,000 to $10,000
    • Deadline: rolling until funds are exhausted

• • 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”

• • FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp Program
    
    • Description: “Apply now to one of 150 spots in this 12-week digital growth accelerator, where you’ll get access to expert-led sessions, education, mentorship, a peer support network, and so much more. Plus, if you are accepted into the program, you’ll also have the opportunity to receive $10,000 in grant funding! *Acceptance into the Boost Camp does not guarantee funding.” Open nationwide to businesses that have max 25 employees, generated less than $1M in 2024, committed to the community, and willing to participate in the accelerator program.
    • Award Range: 12-week digital growth accelerator and opportunity for $10,000 grant
    • Deadline: November 21, 2025 at 5:00pm
  • 2026 Sephora Beauty Grant
    
    • Description: Open nationwide to eligible businesses. “…grant designed to support and elevate beauty businesses from underrepresented founders. This program provides funding, mentorship, and visibility to help brands scale and thrive.”
    • Award Range: $100,000
    • Deadline: November 28, 2025
  • Chef Works Grant Opportunity
    • Description: Open nationwide to nonprofits 501(c)3, to support their initiatives that are part of Chef Works focus areas: “elimination of children living in poverty, children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and protecting and improving the environment.”
    • Award Range: $5,000 – $25,000
    • Deadline: December 1, 2025
  • Joyce Foundation
    • Description: “The Joyce Foundation invests in policies to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region.” This includes Illinois.
    • Award Range: not disclosed
    • Deadline: December 1, 2025
  • Veteran Housing Grants Program from Home Depot Foundation
    • Description: “The Foundation’s Veteran Housing Grants Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations for the new construction or rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing for veterans.” “Rural areas will be considered, but priority will be given to “large cities” defined as populations over 300,000 people.” Chicago, IL is listed as one of the priority cities.
    • Award Range: $100,000 to $500,000
    • Deadline: December 12, 2025

• • Scaling Pathways to Homeownership – Capital One
    
    • Description: “The Scaling Pathways to Homeownership Open Call, sponsored by the Capital One Foundation will fund projects that will expand access to housing and homeownership in the United States.” “This Open Call seeks bold solutions that expand access to affordable homeownership in the U.S. through fresh thinking and disruptive models. Projects should demonstrate measurable potential to expand pathways to homeownership for low- and moderate-income households while building meaningful collaboration across broad stakeholders and sectors.” Open nationwide to 501(c)3 nonprofits.
    • Award Range: “…ten finalists a $200,000 project development grant and five Awardees with a $4.6 million Award over up to five years.”
    • Deadline: Must register by December 17, 2025 by 4:00pm and application due January 29, 2026 at 4:00pm
  • Spark Good Local Grants
    
    • Description: “Walmart believes that investing in local communities strengthens our business as well as the communities we serve. Local grants are designed to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where we operate, build pride among all associates, and deepen relationships with our customers.” Open nationwide to 501(c)(3) public charity, Government entity (non-501(c)(3)), school, and Church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large.
    • Award Range: $250 to $5,000
    • Deadline: December 31, 2025

• • DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
    
    • Description: Open nationwide to “…- small business including, but not limited to, restaurant, gastropub or bakery, flower shop, liquor store, convenience store, pet store, or local grocery store, with a brick & mortar location that:
      
      • has experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a state of emergency or [federally-declared natural disaster](https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations) which occurred within the last 12 months;
      • has 3 or fewer total locations;
      • has 50 or fewer employees per location;
      • has been open for at least 6 months;
      • has revenues of $3M or less per location in 2024; AND
      • is independently-owned.”
    • Award Range: $5,000 – $15,000
    • Deadline: January 5, 2026 at 5:00pm

• • Pre-Development Fund from Chicago Community Trust
    
    • Description: Open nonprofits 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 serving the eligible area –  “…to communities within Cook County with a focus on neighborhoods on the South and West Sides”. “Through this program, the Trust seeks to support neighborhood-scale development projects that catalyze economic growth and create thriving neighborhoods where residents can stay and grow their wealth with improved quality of life and well-being, regardless of income.”
    • Award Range: up to $100,000
    • Deadline: January 12, 2026 at 4:00pm

• • Shakespeare in American Communities
    
    • Title: Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools
    • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c3 professional theater companies that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience providing both performances and related educational activities for middle and/or high school students.”
    • Award Range: $15,000 – $25,000
    • Deadline: January 29, 2026

• • • Title: Shakespeare In American Communities: Juvenile Justice
    • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c3 theater companies or organizations that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience partnering with the juvenile justice system to provide theater education programs.”
    • Award Range: $15,000 – $25,000
    • Deadline: January 29, 2026

• • • Title: Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships
    • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c(3) professional theater companies that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience providing community-based, cross-sector theater activities.” “The programming that apprentices support does NOT have to be Shakespeare related.”
    • Award Range: $20,000 – $30,000
    • Deadline: January 29, 2026