Grants
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce understands the challenges that small businesses face every day. This comprehensive resource page is designed to help you navigate the various grants available to support your business growth and help you succeed.
(Find Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grants here)
Find Federal Grants Here
Grants with Application Deadlines
Grants with Rolling Deadline
Chicagoland Chamber Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP)
A skilled workforce is essential to accelerating our economic recovery. Whether you work with one of our training providers, have an existing trainer you like to work with, or conduct internal training using company staff, you may be eligible to receive a 50% reimbursement through this program.
Hivers and Strivers Capital Grant
This grant opportunity offers capital ranging from $250,000 to $1 million to veteran-owned and veteran-led businesses. As an angel investment group, they support a variety of business projects, excluding those dependent on government contracts. In addition to funding, the program provides strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to valuable networks to help veteran-led companies grow and succeed.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
A nine-year program designed to help businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including Native Americans, Alaska Native corporations, and Indian tribes. This program offers federal contracting preferences, technical assistance, and training to help businesses succeed.
Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program (CEJA)
The Returning Residents Program will offer clean jobs training within Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to individuals within 36 months of their release, equipping them with the skills needed to pursue careers in clean energy and related sectors upon re-entry into society. The program will include classroom instruction and hands-on learning, following a standardized Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework. It will also facilitate connections between program graduates and potential employers in the clean energy industry while addressing the needs of participants.
Community Development Grant
The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Small, Medium, and Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards. This particular large grant is for up to $5 million and up for business owners, property owners, nonprofit organizations, community developers, and entrepreneurs. Funds can be used for office, retail, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use projects.
CDGs use proceeds from the 2024 Housing and Development Bond and other funding sources to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents.
You can learn more about the grant timeline, funds, and more at the FAQ page.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Grants
Grants.gov is a key platform where businesses can search and apply for federal grant programs, with around $500 billion allocated annually to support various government initiatives. While it doesn’t offer personal financial assistance, it connects businesses with funding opportunities related to specific projects.
Additionally, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) provides crucial support to minority-owned businesses, including Native American enterprises.
The Awesome Foundation Grant
The Awesome Foundation is a global network that provides $1,000 micro-grants to support innovative and impactful projects. Each chapter operates independently, usually awarding grants monthly. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, these grants offer a valuable boost to help launch new ideas or bring creative ventures to life. The foundation empowers individuals to turn their visions into reality by providing the resources needed to get their projects started.
Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, is a nonprofit dedicated to turning veterans into successful entrepreneurs, or “Vetrepreneurs.” Through strategic business partnerships and a network of professionals, the organization provides veterans with remote learning, mentorship, and grants. Their goal is to create 100 veteran-owned million-dollar businesses by 2024.
Illinois Reproductive Grant Expansion Program
The Illinois Reproductive Grant Extension Program will offer grants to pregnancy centers, which encompass entities or facilities staffed by licensed healthcare professionals, volunteers, or agents. Pregnancy-related services provided cover any medical or health counseling services pertaining to pregnancy prevention, preservation, or termination. Organizations are required to refrain from employing unfair or deceptive practices that may obstruct or deter individuals from seeking entry or access.
America’s Seed Fund Grant
America’s Seed Fund, a program within the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, is dedicated to turning scientific and engineering breakthroughs into products and services that have both commercial and societal impact. Each year, the program awards over $200 million in research and development (R&D) funding to approximately 400 startups across the U.S., helping them bring innovative ideas closer to market success.
Federal Grant Support Program
The Federal Grant Match Program by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) allocates $15 million to support Illinois-based businesses and organizations pursuing competitive federal grants. This matching initiative aims to stimulate greater participation in federal grant applications, offering essential aid to meet minimum match eligibility criteria, enhance application competitiveness, and underscore the State of Illinois’ strong commitment and support for projects aligned with its economic development objectives and priorities.
Wish Local Empowerment Program
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides reimbursement grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
Offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide.
Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid.
CDBG Economic Development Program
The Economic Development funds are accessible as needed throughout the year for all eligible applicants who meet the program requirements until the allocated funds for this component are fully disbursed. All awards in this category are contingent upon the feasibility of the project and a substantiated need for funds. Funding will only be provided to projects that generate and/or preserve permanent jobs. Projects must draw substantial private investment, show firm commitments to creating or retaining permanent jobs, and exhibit financial viability and benefits for low-to-moderate income individuals.
Small Business Storefront Activations
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant rise in vacancy rates in commercial corridors across the city, especially affecting brick-and-mortar businesses reliant on foot traffic. In response, community and economic development organizations can receive grants under the Small Business Storefront Activation Program. These organizations will collaborate with small business owners and landlords to swiftly transform vacant storefronts into vibrant business spaces. The program aims to provide rapid relief to small businesses, increase local spending, and attract more foot traffic to commercial corridors citywide.
TechRise – Early Stage funding for Chicagoland Entrepreneurs
TechRise offers weekly pitch competitions for early-stage entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area who may have been overlooked by traditional funding sources. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply 1-2 months before their desired competition date. Prior to the competition, selected founders receive pitch coaching and mentorship. The competitions take place every Friday at 12 PM CST on Zoom, with the livestream available on YouTube. Each founder has 4 minutes to pitch their business to a panel of VC judges, with one startup awarded a non-dilutive grant prize ranging between $25,000 and $50,000 at the end of the hour.
Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Grant
The Energy Efficiency Trust Fund Grant Program, formerly known as the Low-Income Residential Energy Efficiency Grant Program (LIREE), aims to support energy efficiency projects for residential electric customers in Illinois, focusing on areas of environmental justice concern. Eligible applicants include public housing authorities, local governments, and nonprofits. Projects may include insulation, HVAC upgrades, lighting improvements, etc. Grants range from $25,000 to $500,000, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are depleted.
Lead Service Line Inventory Grant Opportunity
With more than $6 million available, this initiative assists communities in meeting inventory requirements outlined in the LSLRNA. Grants range from $20,000 to $50,000 per applicant and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are expended. Please note that this grant is solely for lead service line inventorying purposes; lead service line replacement costs are ineligible.
City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
In 2016, the City of Chicago amended the Zoning Code to harness funds generated by new developments around the Loop, aiming to spur investment in Chicago’s West, Southwest, and South Sides. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) channels these funds to bolster commercial corridors in underserved neighborhoods. Business and property owners can seek grant funding for real estate construction or rehabilitation and projects that boost new or expanding businesses and cultural assets.
Chicago PACE
Chicago PACE provides private funding to rejuvenate and enhance sustainability in Chicago through energy-saving and renewable initiatives. Key benefits include 100% financing coverage, long-term fixed rates aligned with improvement lifespans, and transferable assessments upon property sale. By facilitating these measures, Chicago PACE aims to foster sustainable development by offering accessible and favorable financing avenues for eligible projects, benefiting both the environment and the community.
We Rise Together Grant
The We Rise Together grant program, administered collaboratively by We Rise Together, Allies for Community Business, and the Small Business Advisory Council, offers operating grants of up to $12,500 to businesses aiming to expand into physical storefronts. To qualify, retail spaces must be located in specific community areas like Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Gage Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, South Shore, Washington Park, or West Lawn, and businesses must have a sales track record of at least two years.
Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) Program
The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) has launched the Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program. This free initiative aids businesses in lessening their environmental impact and promoting a healthier environment for their employees, customers, and community through on-site assessments focused on pollution reduction. Upon completing the assessment, eligible businesses may apply for grant funding.
Cook County Illinois Manufacturing Reinvented Grant
The Manufacturing Reinvented grant is a fully-funded opportunity tailored for Cook County manufacturers to enhance their production and sales, develop leadership, and train their workforce. It offers reimbursement for projects that focus on operational improvements, leadership and strategy development, sales and marketing growth, and workforce training.
CDBG Disaster Response Program
This program is tailored to support communities confronting an immediate threat to public health and safety. It targets situations flagged by the Governor of Illinois through an official disaster declaration.
For questions or additional information, contact Adrienne McFarland at [email protected]