Grants

Small Business Growth Initiative

Administered by the Lake County Community Foundation and A4CB

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.

Eligibility

• Business Tenure: The business must have been in operation for a minimum of one year at the time of application.
• Business Revenue: The business must have annual revenue of $50,000 or more at the time of application.
• Business Location: The business must be physically located in one of the following Lake County communities: Waukegan, North Chicago, or Zion.
• Tax Documentation: Applicants must have filed a business tax return for the 2024 or 2025 tax year. Please note: While a Profit & Loss statement from the prior year (2025) may be submitted at the time of application, a valid filed tax return will be required before grant funds are disbursed.
• Program Participation: Applicants must commit to actively participating in the grant’s learning component, which includes one-on-one (1:1) business coaching and monthly business development meetings held from May 18 through September 22.

Deadline: April 3 at 5:00 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.