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Grant Opportunities

Funding Opportunities:

  • DCEO (few highlighted below)

 

    • 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)

 

    • Manufacturing Training Academies
      • Description: “…to provide capital grants to establish advanced workforce training facilities at downstate community colleges.”
      • Eligibility includes: specific community colleges in central and southern regions, see NOFO for complete list.
      • Award Range: $3,000,000 – $6,000,000
      • Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 5:00pm

 

    • 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:
    • City of Chicago Neighborhoods
      • West Side (Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Near West Side) o Far Southeast Side (Chatham, Avalon Park, South Deering, Hegewisch, Riverdale, West Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, Calumet Heights, South Chicago)
    • Cook County Municipalities
      • Elgin and Central and Southwest Cook County municipalities including, but not limited to, Forest Park, Oak Park, McCook, Burr Ridge, Maywood, Palos Hills, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Alsip, Homer Glen
    • Counties
      • Adams, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jasper, Jersey, Kankakee, Knox, Logan, Macoupin, Madison, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Rock Island, Sangamon, Scott, Schuyler, St. Clair, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne”
      • 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

    • General Operating Support
      • Description: “General Operating Support (GOS) Grants are offered to eligible not-for-profit organizations that provide arts programming to their defined communities in a manner that supports the mission of the organization.” Open to nonprofits 501(c)3 in good standing and branches of government (libraries, municipal county, etc.). Then there is an option for the Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) grants.
      • Award Range: “Applicants do not request a specific amount. Awards are determined by a formula that considers IAC’s appropriation, the number of eligible applicants, and the applicant’s expenses.” In addition, the YEA grant is up to $4,500.
      • Deadline: March 18, 2026 at 11:59pm

 

    • Illinois Treasurer – Charitable Trust Grant
      • Description: Open statewide to nonprofits, 501(c)3 who have an operating budget of $1 million or less. This cycle the following two categories are eligible: 1) Food Programs and 2) Workforce & Economic Development
      • Award Range: up to $20,000
      • Deadline: March 31, 2026

 

Local Governments

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    • 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

 

 

    • Cook County – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
      • Description: “CDBG-Capital Improvement: Suburban municipalities and nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities; CDBG-Public Service: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities; ESG: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities” Open to eligible municipalities and nonprofits in Cook County.
      • Award Range: Capital Projects: municipal – $500,000 and nonprofit – $150,000; Public Service Projects $125,000; ESG $25,000 – $125,000
      • Deadline: March 20, 2026 by 5:00pm

 

    • Cook County – Invest in Cook
      • Description: “Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies as well as any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County.”
      • Deadline: March 20, 2026 by 5:00pm

 

    • 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

  •  
    • 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”

 

    • Amplify Your Brand Promotion
      • Description: “The Amplify Your Brand Promotion is built for businesses ready to take their digital presence to the next level.” “Five small business owners will be selected to win a professionally produced content package, designed to elevate your brand and strengthen your digital presence.” Open nationwide to eligible for-profit businesses. You will have to complete three courses on their platform in order to be eligible to apply.
      • Award Range: “…a content package valued at $17,000* including a custom video, content plan, and….” Etc.
      • Deadline: March 18, 2026

 

    • Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability – Addressing Critical Needs
      • Description: “Understanding the Chicago region’s formidable homelessness challenges, the Trust is offering this funding opportunity aimed at bolstering direct service organizations that provide housing and homeless prevention services.” Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3 and located within or primarily serving residents of Chicago or Cook County.
      • Award Range: “These multi-year, general operating grants will span three years. Yearly grant amounts will be between $75,000 and $125,000.”
      • Deadline: March 24, 2026 (letter of intent due)

 

    • Emerging Strategies to Advance Shared Ownership
      • Description: “[They] invite proposals that sustain, support or scale commercial and/or residential shared ownership models working with communities and residents of economically distressed neighborhoods and/or individuals experiencing poverty, as well as efforts that strengthen the broader ecosystem through technical assistance, education and awareness-building.” Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits that are based or primarily serve Chicago residents and who are focused on assisting individuals, families and neighborhoods experiencing high levels of poverty.
      • Award Range: $75,000 to $200,000
      • Deadline: March 27, 2026 at 5:00pm (LOI due)

 

    • 2026 WeddingPro Grant Program
      • Description: Open nationwide to small businesses that are owner-operated and/or has 5 or fewer employees, annual revenue is $250,000 or less, at least 50% of revenue comes from wedding-related services, open at least 6 months and demonstrates a need for funding and has an plan for growth.
      • Award Range: “…grants between $10,000–$50,000 OR One year of free advertising on The Knot and WeddingWire”
      • Deadline: March 27, 2026, 10:59 PM

 

    • NFL Foundation Grassroots Program
      • Description: “…provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance with the goal of improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.” Open nationwide to eligible entities.
      • Award Range: up to $250,000
      • Deadline: March 30, 2026

 

    • T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program (Spring)
      • Description: “…fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.” Open nationwide to “Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit [501(c)3 & 501(c)6] community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000…”
      • Award Range: up to $50,000
      • Deadline: March 31, 2026

 

    • Pilot Small Business Growth Fund
      • Description: “…presented in partnership with Hello Alice and Pilot.com, is here to support small businesses as they grow and scale.” Open nationwide to for profit businesses that have generated between $5,000 and $5,000,000 in gross revenue in 2025.
      • Award Range: $10,000 – $50,000
      • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00pm

 

    • Midland States Bank Foundation – Spring Awards
      • Description: “…offer grants to non-profit organizations [501(c)3 or 501(c)6 and who are in Midland’s geographic footprint] and initiatives that align with our key focus areas: education, work force development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development and health” & wellness.
      • Award Range: $7,500 – $25,000
      • Deadline: March 31, 2026

 

    • 2026 Small Business Growth Initiative
      • Description: “The Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI) is a partnership with Allies for Community Business and the Lake County Community Foundation that supports businesses in the Lake County communities of Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion. This program includes one-on-one coaching, cohort-based learning and grant funding designed to strengthen and grow your business.”
      • Award Range: not disclosed
      • Deadline: April 3, 2026 at 5:00pm

 

    • Community Grants – Community Foundation for McHenry County
      • Description: “Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions serving McHenry County and established for at least three years.” Accepting requests for unrestricted operating support, program support, capital projects, and organizational capacity initiatives.
      • Award Range: not disclosed
      • Deadline: April 10, 2026 at noon

 

    • Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
      • Description: Open nationwide to those who identify as a Mom business owner, have at least 1 year in business, have 2-100 employees, and business annual revenue does not exceed $5M.
      • Award Range: $1,000 and program access
      • Deadline: April 14, 2026

 

    • 2026 Vilcek Foundation Grants
      • Description: “The Vilcek Foundation invites applications from eligible nonprofit organizations whose mission or programs focus on supporting immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society.” Open nationwide to 501(c)3 nonprofits.
      • Award Range: $5,000 to $20,000
      • Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 10:59pm

 

    • 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

 

    • 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
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