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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.

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 8 entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create jobs, and build wealth in Waukegan. The business owners will receive a $30,000 grant and participate in a four-month learning cohort.

Eligibility

  • Located in Waukegan
  • Committed to attending four group meetings in Waukegan and participating in 1:1 coaching
  • Generated revenue of at least $50,000 in 2023

Deadline: April 22, 2024

Apply

Main Street Grant Program

Administered by Allstate

Allstate, in partnership with Chicago-based business support organizations, is offering a total of $1.6 million in capacity building grants to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits on Chicago’s South and West Sides.

Eligibility

  • Business must be located in one of the following five areas: Bronzeville, Greater Englewood, South Shore, North Lawndale, Pilsen/Little Village
  • Eligibility criteria will be defined by each partner and Allstate and may include potential impact on the community, business credibility, alignment to support businesses in the community, and demonstrated need/use of funds

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Apply

We Rise Together Grant

Administered by We Rise Together, Allies for Community Business, and the Small Business Advisory Council

The We Rise Together grant will provide operating grants of up to $12,500 to eligible businesses that wish to expand into a physical storefront.

Eligibility

  • Retail space must be located in one of the following community areas: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Gage Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, South Shore, Washington Park, West Lawn
  • Business must have generated at least two years of sales

Deadline: May 31, 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 ›

Don’t qualify for a grant?
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