Grants for Small Businesses: Empowering Growth in Illinois

At the Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NWHCC), we are committed to the success and growth of small businesses in Illinois. We understand that access to financial resources is critical for business expansion, innovation, and sustainability. That's why we've compiled a comprehensive list of grants available to small businesses across the state, designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. For any assistance, please email us at nwhcc.info@gmail.com or call 630.708.0694 to set up an appointment 

Why Choose NWHCC?

  1. Extensive Grant Resources: Our website provides up-to-date information on a variety of grants tailored to the needs of small businesses in Illinois. Whether you are just starting out or looking to scale, we connect you with opportunities that align with your goals.
  2. Expert Guidance: Navigating the grant application process can be complex. At NWHCC, we offer personalized support to help you understand the requirements, prepare compelling applications, and increase your chances of securing funding.
  3. Local Impact: We are deeply invested in the economic development of Illinois. By facilitating access to grants, we are directly contributing to the growth and sustainability of local businesses, fostering job creation, and driving community prosperity.
  4. Ongoing Support: Our commitment doesn’t end with the grant application. NWHCC provides continuous support through mentorship, business training, and networking opportunities to ensure that your business thrives long after receiving funding.

At NWHCC, we are not just offering resources; we are actively involved in supporting and growing businesses across Illinois. Join us, and let’s work together to elevate your business to new heights.



  • SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program
  • Description: “to seek application proposals from qualified technical assistance providers to deliver assistance to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI1) or very small businesses (VSBs2) participating in, or seeking assistance from the state’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funded programs. The technical assistance providers will provide support to eligible beneficiaries of the SSBCI Technical (TA) Grant Program located in Region 4: North.”
  • Eligibility includes: “Legal, Accounting, or Financial advisory Non-Profit or For-Profit entities. Applicants must administer the following three (3) TA services– legal, accounting, and financial advisory services – either directly or through a coalition of contractual partners NOFO ID: 2932-31688.” “The U.S. Treasury has provided guidance stating that entities must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be defined as a “legal, accounting, or financial advisory firm” for the purposes of the TA Grant Program:
  • 1. A primary purpose of the entity or a central part of the entity’s mission is to provide legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services,
  • 2. The entity regularly markets or publicizes itself as providing legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services, or
  • 3. At least 25% of the entity’s revenues or staff are dedicated to providing legal, accounting, and/or financial advisory services.”
  • Award Range: $700,000 (we will only be awarding one grant)
  • Deadline: January 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM (extended to January 22nd)
 
  • Job Training Economic Development Program - Round 3
  • Description: “The Department is releasing this JTED NOFO focusing on services that address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are either under-employed, unemployed, or underrepresented facing one or more barriers to employment, defined as risk factors, by providing career pathway opportunities and support services needed for successful re-entry or advancement into the labor force.”
  • Eligibility Includes: “Applicants must have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs [20 ILCS 605/605-415(b)] and must meet the requirements outlined in this NOFO. Entities that are eligible to apply for the JTED NOFO consist of:
  • Employers;
  • Private nonprofit organizations (which may include a faith-based organization);
  • Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) administrative entities;
  • Community Action Agencies;
  • Industry associations; and
  • Public or private educational institutions
Local governments that are not WIOA administrative entities are not eligible to apply.”
  • Award Range: $250,000 - $750,000
  • Deadline: January 16, 2026 at 11:59pm
 
  • Regional Site Readiness Program - Capital Ready - Round 2
  • Description: “…to support infrastructure and other capital improvements on sites across the state to advance the readiness of properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
  • Eligibility includes:
  • “Local governments
  • Economic development organizations…
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • For-profit organizations
  • Private landowner”
  • Award Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000
  • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)
 
  • Regional Site Readiness Program – Planning – Round 2
  • Description: “…to support planning and due diligence activities for sites across the state to advance early-stage site readiness on properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.”
  • Eligibility includes:
  • “Local governments
  • Economic development organizations…
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • For-profit organizations
  • Private landowner”
  • Award Range: $150,000 - $150,000
  • Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis)
 
  • Small Business Development Centers
  • Description: “…“DCEO” is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to seek qualified host organizations to operate Illinois Small Business Development Centers and provide program services.” “…Illinois SBDCs deliver professional, high-quality, individualized, confidential one-on-one advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs.”
  • Eligibility includes:
  • “Fully accredited institutions of higher education such as public and private universities, state, and community colleges.
  • Private nonprofit organizations engaged in economic development activities.
  • Local counties or municipalities with established community/economic development departments and/or programs.
  • Public economic development institutions such as workforce investment boards and economic development corporations.
 
“…specifically in the geographical areas noted below. Any areas outside of those listed below will not be considered.
  • This area includes:
  • City of Chicago Neighborhoods
  • West Side (Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Near West Side) o Far Southeast Side (Chatham, Avalon Park, South Deering, Hegewisch, Riverdale, West Pullman, Roseland, Burnside, Calumet Heights, South Chicago)
  • Cook County Municipalities
  • Elgin and Central and Southwest Cook County municipalities including, but not limited to, Forest Park, Oak Park, McCook, Burr Ridge, Maywood, Palos Hills, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Alsip, Homer Glen
  • Counties
  • Adams, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jasper, Jersey, Kankakee, Knox, Logan, Macoupin, Madison, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Rock Island, Sangamon, Scott, Schuyler, St. Clair, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne”
  • Award Range: $80,000 - $525,000
  • Deadline: rolling
 
  • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website. 
 
  • Additional State Government
  • Creative Learning Grants for Schools (CLGS)
  • Description: “…supports arts learning opportunities in Illinois schools. The goal of this grant is to enable schools to acquire supplies, materials, equipment, or services from Illinois artists or arts organizations that are needed to address student needs for arts learning opportunities. K-12 School districts, public schools, and charter schools are eligible to apply…”
  • Award Range: up to $20,000
  • Deadline: February 18, 2026, at 11:59pm
 
  • Federal Government
  • National Endowment for the Arts Big Read
  • Description: Open to nonprofits nationwide. “These grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. As our nation moves into its 250th year, the goal of this program is to honor America’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.”
  • Award Range: $5,000 to $20,000
  • Deadline: “…Intent to Apply is January 15, 2026. Full applications are due January 29, 2026.”
 
  • National Creative Forces® Community Engagement grant program
  • Description: Open nationwide to nonprofits, 501(c)3, who have a minimal of 3 years in “programming for/with military communities or presenting/producing arts-based projects.” The nonprofit must also have an Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov in order to apply. “The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA).”
  • Award Range: $10,000 to $25,000 matching grant
  • Deadline: January 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT
 
  • Local Governments
 
  • City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund
  • Description: “promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.”
  • Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties
  • Deadline varies
 
  • City of Chicago: Community Development Grant – Medium
  • Description: “…to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects.” “Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply…”
  • Award Range: $300,001 to $5 million
  • Deadline: February 13, 2026
 
  • City of East Moline: Business Improvement Grant (BIG) Program
  • Description: “The BIG Program is funded in large part through the City of East Moline’s Business Development District #2, established in 2024 to provide economic incentives through a 0.75% sales tax. Under the BIG Program, grant awardees are reimbursed for eligible project costs…” “Eligible Projects: Commercial or Industrial projects that are located or locating within the City of East Moline's Business Development District... This area includes all major commercial and industrial areas of the city.”
  • Award Range: up to $50,000
  • Deadline: ongoing
 
 
  • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant
  • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”
  • Award Range: $10,000 - $20,000
 
  • Private/Community Resources
 
  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation
  • Description: “Education, health, food and workforce systems are intertwined with community efforts toward racial equity and racial healing in serving what children need to thrive. We aim to support holistic solutions across these integrated systems.” Open nationwide to eligible: Nonprofit organization, 501(c)(3) or equivalent (i.e., school, hospital or religious institution), Public or governmental entity, and For-profit entity doing charitable work.
  • Award Range: depends
 
  • The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Emergency Grants
  • Description: “The Community Foundation for McHenry County is committed to enhancing county services and expanding financial support to local non-profits.” “The Emergency Grant program supports nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that significantly impact their ability to fulfill their mission or deliver services. This grant is intended to help organizations address unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies.”
  • Award Range: unknown
  • Deadline: “This grant operates on a rolling application cycle”
 
  • DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
  • Description: Open nationwide to “…- small business including, but not limited to, restaurant, gastropub or bakery, flower shop, liquor store, convenience store, pet store, or local grocery store, with a brick & mortar location that:
  • has experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a state of emergency or [federally-declared natural disaster](https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations) which occurred within the last 12 months;
  • has 3 or fewer total locations;
  • has 50 or fewer employees per location;
  • has been open for at least 6 months;
  • has revenues of $3M or less per location in 2024; AND
  • is independently-owned.”
  • Award Range: $5,000 - $15,000
  • Deadline: January 5, 2026 at 5:00pm
 
  • Pre-Development Fund from Chicago Community Trust
  • Description: Open nonprofits 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 serving the eligible area - “…to communities within Cook County with a focus on neighborhoods on the South and West Sides”. “Through this program, the Trust seeks to support neighborhood-scale development projects that catalyze economic growth and create thriving neighborhoods where residents can stay and grow their wealth with improved quality of life and well-being, regardless of income.”
  • Award Range: up to $100,000
  • Deadline: January 12, 2026 at 4:00pm
 
  • Amex Shop Small Grants Program
  • Description: “…American Express is teaming up with Main Street America this Small Business Saturday® to launch the Amex Shop Small Grants Program.” This program is open nationwide to small businesses that operate out of a physical brick and motor and have 20 or less full time employees.
  • Award Range: $20,000
  • Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:59 CT
 
  • Illinois Commodities for Community Grant Application
  • Description: These grants are designed to support projects and organizations that strengthen Illinois farms and communities. We aim to support community-driven agriculture efforts that empower farmers to become more sustainable. Whether you’re planning a field project, educational program, or collaborative partnership, this funding is an exciting chance to bring your idea to life or further support existing work.
  • Award Range: up to $2,500 
  • Deadline:  January 20, 2026
 
  • ANCHOR Grants – (Advancing Neighborhood & Community Health, Opportunity & Resilience)
  • Description: “Partnerships should work on a project that fosters lasting community improvements and addresses social and economic disparities, and co-create and/or co-lead as a team (community-based organization and Northwestern representatives)”. Eligible areas are Evanston and Chicago.
  • Award Range: $25,000 to $65,000
  • Deadline: Letter of interest due January 26, 2026
 
  • Shakespeare in American Communities
  • Title: Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools
  • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c3 professional theater companies that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience providing both performances and related educational activities for middle and/or high school students.”
  • Award Range: $15,000 – $25,000
  • Deadline: January 29, 2026
 
  • Title: Shakespeare In American Communities: Juvenile Justice
  • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c3 theater companies or organizations that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience partnering with the juvenile justice system to provide theater education programs.”
  • Award Range: $15,000 – $25,000
  • Deadline: January 29, 2026
 
  • Title: Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships
  • Description: “This opportunity is open to 501c(3) professional theater companies that are located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography. Applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience providing community-based, cross-sector theater activities.” “The programming that apprentices support does NOT have to be Shakespeare related.”
  • Award Range: $20,000 – $30,000
  • Deadline: January 29, 2026
 
  • Dr. Scholl Foundation
  • Description: Open nationwide to nonprofits, 501(c)3 with at least 3 years of financials. “…grants are considered in the following areas but not limited to: education, social service, healthcare, civic and cultural, and environmental.”
  • Award Range: on average, grants range from $5,000 to $25,000
  • Deadline: January 31, 2026 at 4:00pm (letter of intent)
 
 
  • Illinois Green Business Grant Program
  • Description: “The Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) and Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, have partnered to help small businesses in five states save energy and money by implementing energy efficiency upgrades so businesses can operate more sustainably.” Open to 5 states including Illinois. The business must have less than 100 employees and have equal to or less than $3.5 million and projects must be completed by May 31, 2026.
  • Award Range: rebates up to $1,500
  • Deadline: February 2, 2026


 

  • Illinois Works Bid Credit Program
  • Eligibility: “Contractors or subcontractors that employ apprentices that have completed the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program on any project (stated or privately funded) are eligible to earn bid credits they can use to make their bids for future state-funded public works projects more competitive.”

 

Funding Opportunities:

  • DCEO (few highlighted below)

 

Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2) (Notice of Funding 

  • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website. 



  • Local Governments

 

  • City of Chicago - Community Development Grants (CDG)
  • Description:
  • Medium CDG: “Medium grants…are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects”
  • Large CDG: “Large grants…are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects”
  • Award Range: Small CDG – up to $250,000; Medium CDG – between $300,001 - $5 million; Large CDG - $5 million and above
  • Deadline:
  • Medium CDG: February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm
  • Large CDG: Rolling



 

  • Private/Community Resources

 

  • Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program
  • Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.
  • Award Range: $5,000