Grants

Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy

Administered Allies for Community Business (A4CB)

The Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy is a six-week virtual program providing creative entrepreneurs with capital, coaching, and connections to help grow their businesses. We will welcome 100 existing creative businesses owners who are passionate about sustainability and driving growth.

In 2025, this program will provide these business owners with:

• Six weeks of interactive webinars led by experienced business coaches
• Small group discussions with growth-minded creative entrepreneurs
• Access to one-on-one coaching appointments to address individual business needs
• A $5,000 business grant upon successful completion of the program

The Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy is made possible through support from Etsy’s Uplift Fund.

Eligibility

• Agree to participate in a 6-week virtual Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy consisting of weekly education sessions followed by optional small-group discussions.
• Be a for-profit business located and registered in Illinois or Indiana.
• Contribute to the creative economy. See industry eligibility details here.
• Have an existing product or service currently on the market.
• Be operational for at least 12 months and have filed a 2024 or 2023 business tax return.
• Show annual revenue between $10,000 and $500,000 on the tax return submitted.
• Have a business bank account.

Deadline: April 25, 2025

OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Governor JB Pritzker and DCEO will provide $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs. This grant funding will help small businesses improve infrastructure, acquire essential equipment, or purchase new property. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. Qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $245,000.

Eligibility

• Businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) which includes minorities, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community
• Businesses with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees
• Priority will be given to businesses located in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas, especially those with project proposals that focus on job creation, economic revitalization, or increased community engagement in these areas

Deadline: April 7, 2025

Small Business Growth Initiative Grant (SBGI)

Administered by the Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) and Allies for Community Business (A4CB)

LCCF and A4CB partnered to provide capital, coaching, and connections to help 19 entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create jobs, and build wealth in Waukegan and North Chicago. The business owners will receive a $30,000 grant and participate in a four-month learning cohort.

Eligibility

• Located in Waukegan or North Chicago
• Committed to participating in a four-month learning cohort
• Businesses that generate revenue from activities such as weapon or ammunition sales, gambling, and tobacco sales are not eligible

Deadline: April 11, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Administered by the City of Chicago and SomerCor

The City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides small businesses and certain nonprofits grants for permanent builds and renovations on the South, Southwest, and West Sides. NOF grants cover 75% of eligible project costs up to $250,000, and up to $50,000 in additional funding for approved technical assistance. Grant funds can only be accessed through reimbursement or an escrow agreement for completed work.

Eligibility

• Landlords, owner/operators, and tenants (with landlord approval) are eligible to apply
• Applicants must have site control of the property in the form of a deed, lease, or executed purchase and sale agreement
• Property must be located on an NOF designated corridor on the South, Southwest, or West Side. Residential and industrial properties are not eligible. View the map to see if your location is eligible.
• NOF is a competitive grant – applications are selected based on project readiness, funding availability, and equitable geographic disbursement

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated quarterly

Community Development Grants

Administered by the City of Chicago Department of Planning
and Development

The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Medium ($300,001 to $5 million) and Large ($5 million and up) Community Development Grant (CDG) awards.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements vary depending on funding level. Please review the requirements:

• Large CDG Eligibility

Large CDG Deadline: Rolling

Small Business Improvement Fund

Administered by the City of Chicago and SomerCor

The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides small businesses and certain nonprofits with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs. Grant funds may be used to reimburse up to 90% of pre-approved construction costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $75,000 for multi-tenant properties, $150,000 for commercial properties, and $250,000 for industrial properties.

Eligibility

• Landlords, owner/operators, and tenants (with landlord approval) are eligible to apply
• Applicants must have site control of the property in the form of a deed, lease, or executed purchase and sale agreement
• Must be a commercial or industrial property located in a Chicago TIF district – residential properties are not eligible. View the map to see if your location is eligible.
• Industrial businesses must have 200 or fewer employees
• Commercial businesses must gross average annual sales under $9M for the prior 3 years

Deadline: Dependent on TIF district – districts open every month for new applications. Applications received outside an open application period are not eligible.