• 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).”
  • Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers
    • Description: “The EEC Grant Program was developed to help create an inclusive business ecosystem within communities that have historically faced systemic barriers to entry and growth through dynamic partnerships, targeted outreach, and tailored programs and initiatives. DCEO has previously awarded $2.5 million in grant funding to 10 recipients through the EEC Grant Program.”
    • Eligibility includes: 
    • “Career education agencies; and Non-profit organizations, including but not limited to: local development corporations, chambers of commerce, community based outreach centers, and community based organizations that provide services to underserved businesses and entrepreneurs.”
    • Award Range: $250,000-$500,000 (“A minimum overall matching contribution of 100% of the grant amount is required.” Please see NOFO for more details.) 
    • Deadline: Rolling until funding is exhausted

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

• Additional State Government
  • Illinois Arts Council – Creative Projects Grant
    • Description: The goal of this grant is “to support art projects for Illinois artists, eligible not-for-profit organizations, municipal entities, or colleges and universities.”
    • Award Range: “up to $12,000”
    • Deadline: “until funds are expended”
  • Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) – Institute to Innovate (i2i) Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Grant Program
    • Description: “The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen community-based organizations, including locally rooted grassroots organizations, working to prevent violence and improve public safety throughout Illinois.” Open to “Nonprofit organizations; For-profit businesses, including corporations and limited liability companies; and Other legally organized entities authorized by ICJIA and the applicable funding source.”
    • Award Range: up to $250,000 
    • Deadline: September 17, 2026 at 5:00pm
  •  Illinois Treasurer: Charitable Trust Grant Program – Food and Housing Grants
    • Description: “…helps small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or less and at least one full-time employee. The fund gives special consideration to applicants serving areas with high poverty, unemployment, and economic distress.” Open statewide to eligible nonprofits, 501(c)3
    • Award Range: up to $20,000 
    • Deadline: September 30, 2026
• Federal Government

• Local Governments
  • Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council Commercial Lease Grant
    • Description: “to lease vacant commercial space in McLean County (must be new lease space, not a relocation).”
    • Eligibility: “The grant is targeted for Small Businesses registered to do business in the State of Illinois and with a business plan approved by the Illinois Small Business Development Center of McLean County at Illinois Wesleyan University.”
    • Award Range: $10,000
    • Deadline: varies
  • Will County On-The-Job Training Grant (OJT)
    • Description: “This program will subsidize up to 50% of an eligible new hire wages while learning their new skill.”
    • Award Range: up to 50% of the wage rate of the participant
    • Eligibility: employers “in a targeted industry, including Healthcare, Manufacturing, IT, Finance/Professional Services, and Transportation/Distribution/Logistics.”
    • Deadline: varies
  • City of Carbondale – Downtown Facade Program (loan program)
    • Description: “The downtown façade improvement loan program was established in August 1990 and has been amended to meet the changing needs of downtown property owners. Structures eligible for the program must be located within the loan program area…” 
    • Deadline: rolling
  • 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. 

• • 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
  • RFP: Coalitions Advancing Economic Mobility – Policy Change
    • Description: “The Chicago Community Trust’s Policy Change strategy seeks to create a more equitable and prosperous Chicago region by advancing policies, systems and practices that expand economic opportunity and increase household and community well-being among financially vulnerable individuals and communities.” Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3, within or primarily serving residents in Chicago or Cook County. 
    • Award Range: $50,000 and $150,000 per year 
    • Deadline: Letter of Intent due August 27, 2026
  • Fempreneur Poder Hub 2026 Grant Opportunity
    • Description: “Fempreneur Poder Hub is committed to supporting microbusiness owners across Illinois by providing equitable access to entrepreneurship opportunities and business support resources.” Open statewide to eligible businesses.
  • Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) – Food & Beverage Apprenticeship Grant
    • Description: “IMEC (Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center) works directly with manufacturers, including food and beverage companies, to design apprenticeship programs that fit real production environments leading to improved employee engagement and retention.” “IMEC manages everything for you: program design, registration, compliance, reporting, and funding guidance. You get a proven apprenticeship program without the hassle.”
    • Award Range: “Funding is limited and available on a first-come basis and slots are limited”
    • Deadline: Rolling
  • 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

• • 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

• • ComED Small-Medium Business Customer Relief Fund
    
    • Description: “The fund is intentionally designed to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) customers by offering one-time matching grants up to $500 to help offset a past-due bill balances and improve financial stability.”
    • Eligibility: “The fund is available to eligible small- and medium-sized business (under 500 kW) customers who are behind on electric bill payments.”
      “Business must meet these eligibility criteria to apply including:
      – Active service at the time of application
      – Past-due bill balance
      – No unpaid tampering fees and no bankruptcy
      – Commercial Meter Account
      – Home-based businesses and Non-Profit organizations are ineligible not eligible; these groups qualified to receive assistance from last year’s customer relief fund.”
    • Award Range: “one-time matching grants up to $500”
    • Deadline: “Applications open June 15, 2026, and funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last. Check back for the link to the Application on June 15!”

• • Arab-American Business and Professional Association (ABPA) emPOWER26 Small Business Grant
    
    • Description: “The Arab-American Business and Professional Association is back with the emPOWER grant program for ambitious, aspiring female entrepreneurs looking for start-up funding for an Illinois-based business.” Open statewide.
    • Award Range: up to $10,000
    • Deadline: August 30, 2026
  • LGBTQ Community Fund 2026 Request for Proposals
    • Description: “The LGBTQ Community Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, was founded in 2010 with the commitment to advance the Chicago region’s LGBTQ community through research, connection, and focused grantmaking.” “For 2026, the Fund seeks to support organizations that serve the LGBTQ community in two areas: basic needs, or civil rights and advocacy.” 
    • Award Range: $10,000 to $40,000
    • Deadline: September 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM 
  • Community Engagement Funds
    • Description: “Community Engagement Funds (CEF) is a community grant program that empowers Target stores and distribution center leaders to make meaningful, localized giving decisions that meet the needs of the communities where our team members and guests live, work, and thrive.” Open nationwide to nonprofits, 501(c)3 organizations, and schools including colleges and universities.
    • Award Range: $1,000 to $15,000 
    • Deadline: September 4, 2026
  • Stanley 1913 Creators Fund
    • Description: “Stanley 1913 is a community of Creators, Builders and Inventors with one thing in common: we want to create in a better way, for a better life and world.” Open to eligible nonprofits nationwide.
    • Award Range: up to $50,000 
    • Deadline: September 13, 2026
  • 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship Open Call
    • Description: “The Creative Catalyst Fellowship supports individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and can serve as a catalyst for civic participation. Selected artists join a cohort convened for peer sharing and learning, with access to communications consultation and promotion of their final work.”
    • Award Range: $30,000 
    • Deadline: October 15, 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
  • Etsy Emergency Relief Fund at CERF+
    
    • Description: “The Etsy Fund at Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) provides disaster relief grants to eligible Etsy sellers on a monthly basis”
    • Eligibility: “All Etsy sellers are eligible for a grant if they have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, have been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing”
    • Award Range: “Grants of $2,000 are available to sellers when they apply. The amount and frequency of grants will depend on the amount of money available in the fund at any given time”
    • Deadline: Rolling; “Your application will be viable for one year following the date of the disaster you suffered”
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