Grant Opportunities

Funding Opportunities:

- DCEO
  - International Tourism Program (Round 2)
    - Description: “The International Tourism Grant Program is important to the State of Illinois’ tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destinations that are of interest to international travelers.”
    - Eligibility includes:
      - “Corporation – Not For Profit
      - Government Entity
  That are specifically designated a Local Tourism and Convention Bureau certified by the Department to receive funds under 20 ILCS 605/705 and located outside the City of Chicago.” Please review the NOFO for a list of additional eligibility requirements.
  - Award Range: $10,000 – $200,000
  - Deadline: January 31, 2027 at 5:00pm
  - Illinois Grocery Initiative – New Stores in Food Deserts Round 3
    - Description: “This program aims to combat food insecurity by offering competitive grants to support the establishment of new grocery stores in these areas by reimbursing successful applicants for eligible capital and non-capital expenditures.”
    - Eligibility includes:
      - “This grant opportunity will be limited to the following types of entities:
        Units of local government
        Independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. This includes for-profit and nonprofit entities.”
      - “Applicants not incorporating a pharmacy into the grocery store location are required to provide at least 25% of total grant project costs, representing a 1:3 match.”
      - “Applicants incorporating a pharmacy into the grocery store location are required to provide 15% of total project costs.”
      - “Eligibility for this program will be constrained by geographic location, characteristics of prospective store and its ownership, and the intended offerings of the store.” Please review the NOFO for a list of additional eligibility requirements.
    - Award Range: $500,000 – $5,200,000
    - Deadline: December 9, 2026 at 5:00pm
  - Illinois Grocery Initiative – Grocery Rescue Program
    - Description: “The Grocery Rescue Program is intended to facilitate the re-opening of grocery stores in low-access census tracts, preventing closures from leading to a long-term reduction in availability of fresh food in the community and the potential formation of new food deserts.”
    - Eligibility includes:
      - “Corporation – For Profit
      - Corporation – Not For Profit
      - Limited Liability Company
      - All Limited Partnerships
      - Agricultural Cooperative
      - Local Government Entity
      - Sole Proprietor
      - Special Act Corporation”
      - “Applicants are required to provide 25% of total project costs, representing a 1:3 match.”
      - “Eligibility for this program will be constrained by geographic location, characteristics of the prospective store and its ownership, and the intended offerings of the store.” Please review the NOFO for a list of additional eligibility requirements.
    - Award Range: $100,000 – $1,500,000
    - Deadline: June 30, 2027
  - Illinois Grocery Initiative – Equipment Upgrade Round 3
    - Description: “The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program 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. Funds will reimburse grantees for costs to purchase and install new energy-efficient equipment.”
    - Eligibility includes:
      - “Corporation – For Profit,
      - Corporation – Not For Profit,
      - Limited Liability Company,
      - All Limited Partnerships,
      - Agricultural Cooperative,
      - Government Entity,
      - Sole Proprietor,
      - Special Act Corporation”
      - “Applicants are required to provide 25% of total project costs, representing a 1:3 match.”
      - Eligibility for this program will be constrained by characteristics of store ownership and the offerings of the store.” Please review the NOFO for a list of additional eligibility requirements.
    - Award Range: $25,000 – $250,000
    - Deadline: Rolling
  - 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
  - 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
  - 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 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

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency – Efficient and Resilient Public Building Grant
- Description: “Illinois EPA Office of Energy is offering funding for energy efficiency projects at public buildings providing local government services.”
- Eligibility: “Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, and other units of local government. School districts are NOT eligible” “The cost match for projects based on the total award requested are as follows:
  - 5% cost share of the total award requested for awards of $50,000 to $100,000 and/or projects with properties located in areas of environmental concern
  - 10% cost share of the total award requested for awards of $100,000.01 to $200,000.”
- Award Range: $50,000 – $200,000
- Deadline: September 30, 2026

Illinois Arts Council – Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF)
- Description: “The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity.” Open statewide to eligible individual artists with an active and sustained practice who are 21 or older, etc.
- Award Range: $10,000
- Deadline: October 14, 2026

Local Governments

Carroll and Jo Daviess counties – Genz Small Business Development Fund
- Description: “the Genz Small Business Development Fund was formalized in 2020 to assist individuals in the Galena Trade Area who have been turned down for a traditional bank loan. The fund, which totals over $500,000, is intended to serve as gap financing, to aid with pilot projects, or fill in gaps not filled by equity and traditional capital.”
- Eligibility: includes “retailers, small manufacturers, wholesalers, those in the hospitality industry, along with farmers and food processors.”
- Award Range: varies, past awards range from $4,000 – $19,000
- Deadline: varies

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.”)

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 Aurora 2027 Grant Funding Cycle
- Description: “These grants, funded through both federal and local sources, support expanding and preserving affordable housing, preventing homelessness, improving infrastructure, providing community services, and supporting economic growth.” Virtual pre-application workshop recording found here.
- Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

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 Champaign Storefront Improvement Program
- Description: “The Storefront Improvement Program helps business and property owners improve the appearance of storefronts in the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. The program provides financial assistance for exterior building improvements that make commercial areas more attractive and welcoming for customers.”
- Eligibility: business owners in TIF districts
- Award Range: up to $10,000 per building
- Deadline: rolling

City of Champaign New Business Program
- Description: “The New Business Program supports entrepreneurs starting businesses in the City of Champaign by reimbursing up to $10,000 for eligible business costs and by providing technical support.” “Meet with the Small Business Development Center to refine your business plan before applying.”
- Eligibility:
  - “Applicants must have plans to open a physical storefront or home-based business in the City of Champaign within one (1) year of application or have an active business in the City that has been in operations for less than two (2) years.
  - Subject business must have fewer than three (3) full-time equivalent employees and must generate less than $250,000 in annual gross revenues.
  - Subject business must be a registered client with the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
  - Subject business must be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Businesses must operate legally in accordance with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations and be current with all City taxes, fees, and licenses.
  - Subject business may not receive more than $20,000 in small business funding or more than one New or Growing Business award within a five year period.”
- Award Range: Reimburses up to $10,000
- Deadline: October 23, 2026

City of Champaign Growing Business Program
- Description: “The Growing Business Development program supports small businesses located in the City of Champaign by reimbursing up to $20,000 for eligible business costs and by providing technical support.” “Meet with the Small Business Development Center to refine your business plan before applying.”
- Eligibility:
  - “Applicants must have an active business in a publicly accessible location within the City of Champaign that has been in operations for more than two (2) years.
  - Subject business must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and generate less than $2 million in gross annual revenues.
  - Subject business must be a registered client with the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
  - Subject business must be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, operate legally in accordance with all Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and be current with all City taxes, fees, and licenses.
  - Subject business may not receive more than $20,000 in small business funding or more than one New or Growing Business award within a five year period.”
- Award Range: Reimburses up to $20,000
- Deadline: October 23, 2026

City of Chicago: Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation (CCSA) Program
- Description: “…program is offering grants that fund up to 75% of eligible project costsfor qualifying small businesses and property owners to improve vacant commercial spaces and expand business” in eligible Chicago commercial corridors.
- Award Range: varies
- Deadline: November 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM

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 Naperville Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Program
- Description: “The City of Naperville encourages celebrations of community that focus on the heritage, diversity, and character of Naperville. In support of these activities, the City of Naperville established the Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Fund in 2004 as ‘a separate fund used solely for the funding of social and artistic events and entities, providing cultural experiences for the Naperville community and its visitors.’”
- Eligibility: Non-profit organizations and/or artists; must attend one of two SECA applicant workshops (August 20th or 24st)
- Award Range: varies
- Deadline: October 2, 2026

Village of Romeoville Small Business Grant Program
- Description: “Under this new program, a business may receive a grant of up to $5,000 towards eligible business startup costs, planning expenses, operating expenses, equipment and inventory costs, and other like expenses. The program also provides waivers for business license fees, inspection fees, and building permit fees for buildouts.”
- Eligibility:
  - “Must be a for-profit business entity
  - Must have five or less employees and $1 million or less in annual receipts
  - This program applies solely to start-ups moving into a permanent commercial space”
  - “To be eligible for the grant, a business must have a physical location in a commercial building in Romeoville…”
- Award Range: “Matching Funds – Up to 50% of eligible costs (Maximum Amount $5,000”

Private/Community Resources

2026 Toast Changemakers Program
- Description: Open nationwide to qualifying for-profit restaurants, cafes, or other food service businesses. Must be in operation for at least 6 months, have revenues of $3 million or less per location, working on addressing food insecurity, etc.
- Award Range: $10,000
- Deadline: October 1, 2026 at 5:00pm

Fourth Global Innovation Challenge – Citi Foundation
- Description: “…pilot or expand solutions that are preparing youth for AI.” Open to nonprofits in eligible areas, in Illinois that includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will counties.
- Award Range: $500,000
- Deadline: Letter of Intent October 6, 2026 at 11am

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: Full application due October 9, 2026

Kenneth B and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant
- Description: Open nationwide to veteran or military spouse owned businesses, with 2 to 100 employees, business annual revenues does not exceed $5 million, and have been in business for at least 1 year.
- Award Range: $1,000 and program access
- Deadline: October 15, 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

NBA Foundation
- Description: “NBA Foundation invests in making grants to local and national organizations serving under-resourced youth ages 14-24, that promote school-to-career employment opportunities, including job readiness, skill training, job placement, and career advancement.” Open to eligible nonprofits.
- Award Range: lowest grant is $25,000 and average grant size is $250,000
- Deadline: October 31, 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

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

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: “Funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.”