Grants
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. Review the questions you will be asked on the expression of interest form and the full application here. To view answers to frequently asked questions, click here.
Eligibility
- Food and beverage business focused on agriculture, manufacturing, processing, marketing, wholesale and distribution, service, retail, or research and development
- Located in Chicago
- Holds a current food and beverage business license
- Filed a federal tax return in 2022
- Has established a business bank account
Priorities for Funding
- Located on Chicago’s West or South Sides
- Owner has lived in the community where the business is located for at least five years
- Has operated in the community for at least five years
- Offers a median hourly wage that is a living wage
- Is independently owned and operated
- Employs less than 25 full time workers
- Is a worker-owned cooperative
Deadline: Complete the expression of interest form by April 12, 2024
Backing Small Businesses
Administered by Main Street America and American Express
The Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with $10,000 grants.
Eligibility
- Business must be in a “bricks-and-mortar” location and operate in an older or historic main street, downtown, or commercial district in the United States
- Business must be an independent business and not part of a franchise
- Business must employ 20 or less full time employees
Deadline: April 7, 2024
Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
Administered by Founders First CDC
Founders First CDC is awarding $1,000 grants to 25 moms running businesses with two or more employees.
Eligibility
- Business owner identifies as a mother
- Annual revenue of under $5 million
- Located in the United States
Deadline: April 16, 2024
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