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Grants

Allies for Community Business has partnered with several public and private organizations to provide grants to small businesses over the last several years. Since April of 2020, we have provided over $477M in grants to 23,000 small businesses in Illinois and Indiana.

As new grant opportunities arise, we will post them here along with instructions on how to apply.

Good Food Fund

Funded by the City of Chicago

The Good Food Fund provides food and beverage businesses with grants for labor, construction or capital improvements, supplies, transportation and distribution, or working capital. This is the second and final round of Good Food Fund grants.

Review the application questions here before applying.

To view answers to frequently asked questions, click here or watch the webinar recording here.

Eligibility

  • Currently operating food or non-alcoholic beverage business focused on agriculture, manufacturing, processing, wholesale, distribution, service, retail, or research and development. (See the application questions for a list of eligible industry codes.)
  • Located in Chicago.
  • Holds a current City of Chicago food or beverage business license. (Application may be submitted without this, but the license must be issued no later than September 24, 2024. Contact help@a4cb.org for assistance.)
  • Has established a business bank account.
  • Filed a federal tax return in 2023 showing at least $10,000 of gross revenue.* Grant awards will be calculated based on 2023 gross revenue:
    • $10,000 for businesses with $10,000 – $100,000 gross revenue or fiscal sponsor applying on behalf of a new business
    • $30,000 for businesses with $100,001 – $250,000 gross revenue
    • $100,000 for businesses with $250,001or more gross revenue (limited to a maximum of five grants)

*A fiscal sponsor may apply on behalf of a business in the incubation stage. See application instructions for details.

Priorities for Funding

Deadline: September 13, 2024

English Application
Spanish Application

Wells Fargo Small Business Grant Program

Administered by Allies for Community Business

Wells Fargo, A4CB, QCDC, and West Side Forward will provide $5,000 problem solving grants to 20 entrepreneurs with physical storefronts on the South and West Sides of Chicago.

Si necesita ayuda en español, contáctenos al info@a4cb.org o al (312) 275-3000.

Eligibility

  • Two years of operating experience with this business (as evidenced by 2022 and 2023 federal tax returns)
  • Revenues between $50K and $500K in either 2022 or 2023
  • A storefront in one of the following eight community areas:
    • South Side: Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas, Grand Boulevard
    • West Side: Near West Side, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Lower West Side (Pilsen)

Deadline: September 27, 2024

Apply

Small Business Improvement Fund

Administered by the City of Chicago and SomerCor

The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund provides small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs.

Eligibility

  • Commercial and industrial business located in Chicago’s TIF districts
  • 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

Apply

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  • Juicy Luzy Sangria Luz Cavazos
    The grant helped us to pay our back-owed rent and utilities, buy supplies, and stay afloat.
    Read Story ›
  • Back of the Yards Coffee Company Jesse Iniguez
    The grant helped us stay open and keep our employees working.
    Read Story ›

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