Deadlines by Date
June
Business Attraction Prime Sites | 30 June 2025
This program aims to support businesses undertaking large-scale capital investment projects that pledge to create significant job opportunities for Illinois residents during their relocation or expansion within the state. The Business Attraction Prime Sites grants cover a variety of economic development initiatives, including infrastructure improvements and capital equipment purchases, all designed to foster job creation in Illinois.
SBIR/STTR Match Program | 30 June 2025
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are competitive federal grants that offer funding opportunities for small businesses to conduct research and development (R&D) on innovative technologies relevant to federal agencies. These grants support the exploration of cutting-edge products with high commercialization potential. Our program provides a state match for businesses that have already received SBIR or STTR awards, helping them further develop and bring their high-tech innovations to market.
Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program | 30 June 2025
This program supports businesses making substantial capital investments and creating jobs in Illinois through relocation or expansion. Eligible applicants must be expanding in Illinois, qualify for EDGE, HIB, REV, or MICRO credits, and commit to hiring at least 40 new Illinois residents with a $40M investment, or 100 residents with a $20M investment. Priority is given to businesses in key industries like Agribusiness, Energy, IT, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Transportation.
Learn more about the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program HERE.
Faire Business Grant | 30 June 2025
This small business grant program provides select new stores with $5,000 to use on Faire to stock their shelves with high-quality products. The grant is open to independent retail stores based in the U.S. or Canada that started their business in 2024 or plan to open soon. To apply, interested businesses must submit required forms and a short video.
Deadline: June 30th 2025
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready | 30 June 2025
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program is here to provide support for small businesses looking to stay competitive in the new digital economy. Their new grant program, available through June 30, can be accessed by anyone who has completed two qualifying courses on the platform.
Deadline: June 30th 2025
Learn more about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready HERE
July
The Spark Grant | 08 July 2025
Sengo and Honeycomb Credit have teamed up to award $5,000 in non-dilutive grant funding to early-stage entrepreneurs building bold businesses. This grant aims to make funding more equitable, accessible, and founder-first. To be eligible for the $3,000 grant, applicants must be subscribed to a paid subscription. However, all individuals, regardless of subscription status, are eligible to receive the $1,000 grants.
Deadline: 11:59 PM on July 8, 2025.
August
Community Development Grant - Small | 15 August 2025
Small grants up to $250,000 are intended to support eligible commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects. Grants provide funding for up to 75% of total eligible project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both.
Priority is given to projects with strong local impacts that leverage local talents, capacities and institutions and contribute to community vitality. Private and non-profit developers, property owners and businesses are eligible to apply.
Learn more about the Community Development Grant - Small HERE.
Community Development Grant - Medium | 15 August 2025
Medium grants from $300,001 to $5 million are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects. Grants are intended to support up to 50% of total project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both.
Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply individually or jointly during competitive, semi-annual funding rounds.
Learn more about the Community Development Grant - Medium HERE.
December
Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program | 15 December 2025
The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will
provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit
grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.
While the Illinois Grocery Initiative is intended to reduce or eliminate the existence of "food deserts" in
Illinois and will prioritize stores located in food deserts, the Equipment Upgrades Program is not limited to
establishments located in food deserts. These grants are intended, however, to facilitate energy-efficient
equipment investment and sustainability for stores located in food deserts, areas that could become food
deserts, and other areas that are underserved to a lesser degree. These grants will reimburse costs for
the purchase and installation of new energy-efficient equipment.
Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) | 09 December 2026
This Notice of Funding Opportunity invites eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications that propose to develop a product, process or service for commercialization with the aim of improving health access for all health and/or reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in one or more populations that experience health disparities. Appropriate technologies should be effective, affordable, and culturally acceptable.
Deadline: Dec 09, 2026
Rolling Deadlines
Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program
The purpose of Community Development Block Grants for Economic Development to assist communities
attract or expand private businesses. The program provides financial assistance in the form of a grant to
the local government for the benefit of private businesses that create or retain jobs primarily for low-to-
moderate income workers. Grants may also be used to support public infrastructure improvements to
support economic development as an indirect benefit to a private business. The Economic Development
component funds are available on an as-needed basis throughout the year to all eligible applicants
meeting program component requirements until all funds allocated to this component have been
distributed.
Learn more about the Community Development Block Grant Economic Development ProgramHERE.
Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program
This Notice of Funding Opportunity sets forth the requirements for funding the Returning Residents
Program (20 ILCS 730/5-50), as specified by the Energy Transition Act as part of the Climate and
Equitable Jobs Act, P.A. 102-662 ("CEJA").
Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and
federal funding sources, will generate significant construction, installation, maintenance, and repair
activity in Illinois. Historically, these investments have not benefited all Illinois communities and workers.
The Returning Residents Program is one of several programs created by CEJA to rectify these historical
inequities.
Learn more about the Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program HERE.
Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program
To address the need to maintain and expand access to care, the Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities
Capital Grant Program will help abortion providers in Illinois address their needs for capital investment.
Grant funds may be used to invest in facility construction or durable equipment. Projects could include:
- New construction, renovation, or major repairs that facilitate expansion or continuation of
pregnancy-related medical services - Investment in new or upgraded equipment that improve care quality or facility capacity,
including medical devices or vehicles for mobile care units - Investment to upgrade or enhance security (barriers, alarm/surveillance systems, etc.)
Award amounts for eligible projects may range from $50,000 to $500,000. Grant recipients must provide a
15% total project cost match.
Learn more about the Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program HERE.
CDBG Economic Development Program
The Economic Development grant provides funds year-round to local governments, supporting projects that create or retain permanent jobs and attract private investment. Funding is based on project feasibility, need, and demonstrated benefits to low-to-moderate-income individuals.
Learn more about the CDBG Economic Development Program HERE.
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
Grants are available for business properties in specific TIF districts
Rollout periods based on TIF districts
Grant provides small businesses with money to property repairs
Wish Local Empowerment Program
This is a grant program for black-owned small businesses anywhere in the U.S.
Applicants can receive between $500-$2,000 to help toward business initiatives
Applications do not have a deadline
Chicagoland Chamber Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP)
A skilled workforce is essential to accelerating our economic recovery. Whether you work with one of our training providers, have an existing trainer you like to work with, or conduct internal training using company staff, you may be eligible to receive a 50% reimbursement through this program.
Hivers & Strivers Pitch Us Program
You must be a military veteran to seek funding with Hivers & Strivers Capital. If that is you, tell us about your highly-scalable, game-changing idea.
8(a) Business Development program
Federal contracting and training program for experienced small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Businesses that participate in the program receive training and technical assistance designed to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy. Also eligible to participate in the 8(a) program are small businesses owned by Alaska Native corporations, Community Development Corporations, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. Small business development is accomplished by providing various forms of management, technical, financial, and procurement assistance.
Learn more about the 8(a) Business Development program HERE.
MBDA Federal Grants
MBDA funds third-party organizations that provide services in support of the Agency’s mission to promote the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs). We often publish funding opportunity announcements to invite applications for grants, cooperative agreements, and other funding sources. Read on to learn about federal grants currently available
The Awesome Foundation Grant
The Awesome Foundation is a global network that provides $1,000 micro-grants to support innovative and impactful projects. Each chapter operates independently, usually awarding grants monthly. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, these grants offer a valuable boost to help launch new ideas or bring creative ventures to life. The foundation empowers individuals to turn their visions into reality by providing the resources needed to get their projects started
The Warrior Rising Program
Founded in 2015, is a nonprofit dedicated to turning veterans into successful entrepreneurs, or “Vetrepreneurs.” Through strategic business partnerships and a network of professionals, the organization provides veterans with remote learning, mentorship, and grants. Their goal is to create 100 veteran-owned million-dollar businesses by 2024.
Federal Grant Support Program
The Federal Grant Match Program by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) allocates $15 million to support Illinois-based businesses and organizations pursuing competitive federal grants. This matching initiative aims to stimulate greater participation in federal grant applications, offering essential aid to meet minimum match eligibility criteria, enhance application competitiveness, and underscore the State of Illinois’ strong commitment and support for projects aligned with its economic development objectives and priorities.
America’s Seed Fund Grant
America’s Seed Fund, a program within the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, is dedicated to turning scientific and engineering breakthroughs into products and services that have both commercial and societal impact. Each year, the program awards over $200 million in research and development (R&D) funding to approximately 400 startups across the U.S., helping them bring innovative ideas closer to market success.
Cook County Illinois Manufacturing Reinvented Grant
The Manufacturing Reinvented grant is a fully-funded opportunity tailored for Cook County manufacturers to enhance their production and sales, develop leadership, and train their workforce. It offers reimbursement for projects that focus on operational improvements, leadership and strategy development, sales and marketing growth, and workforce training.
Learn more about the Cook County Illinois Manufacturing Reinvented Grant HERE.
Community Development Grant - Large
Large grants exceeding $5 million are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects. Grants are intended to support approximately 25% of total project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both.
Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply individually or jointly during competitive, semi-annual funding rounds.
Learn more about the Community Development Grant - Large HERE.
The High Road Kitchens program
One Fair Wage, in partnership with the City of Chicago, has launched the High Road Kitchens program, offering grants between $10,000 and $30,000 to Chicago restaurants. Eligible restaurants must be located in Chicago, have an annual revenue of under $3 million, and have experienced financial losses due to COVID-19 totaling 25% of their annual revenue.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Learn more about The High Road Kitchens program and apply HERE
The Freed Fellowship
Every month, a business owner in the U.S. is selected as a Freed Fellow. Each Fellow receives a $500 grant to invest in their existing business. Additionally, these recipients are eligible for a $2,500 small business grant. To qualify, recipients must announce their selection on social media and commit to being an active participant in the Freed Fellows community. These grants are designed to support eligible small businesses across various industries, providing financial assistance for operational needs, growth initiatives, or other business-related expenses.
Deadline: Rolling
Start.Pivot.Grow Grant
This program offers $2,500 quarterly micro grants, providing non-dilutive funding to help businesses cover essential expenses, invest in growth opportunities, and achieve stability and success. Eligible businesses must be active U.S.-based companies, in operation for at least two years, with an annual income of $50,000 or more, and have 1-2 employees, including the owner. Grant funds can be used for utilities, commercial rent, inventory, professional development, software, marketing, and bookkeeping services.
Deadline: rolling deadlines