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.

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.




  1. PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos Grant Program: In partnership with Hello Alice (a USHCC partner), PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos is awarding twenty (20) grants of $10,000 each to women small business owners in the food and beverage industry!!!  Apply here. The deadline is September 27.




  • SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program – This grant is from OMEE
  • Description: “this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) 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 (VSBs1) participating in, or seeking assistance from the state’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) -funded programs.”
  • 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”
  • Award Range: $0 - $700,000
  • Deadline: September 3, 2024 at 5:00PM

 

  • Public List of Who is Interested in Applying: If you are interested in applying, you can let others know so they can contact you or you can contact them. Please click this form: SSBCI TA - Loan TA Program: Interest Collaboration Form. You need to fill out your information by Tuesday, August 20, 2024, if you are interested in collaborating with other organizations that seek to apply for this opportunity. Please note, you can view the public list of those interested in collaboration on the SSBCI TA webpage under Resources (It is listed as SSBCI TA – Loan TA Program Collaborator List).

    The list posted on the website is for informational purposes only. The Department does not endorse or recommend organizations on this list, applicants must conduct their own due diligence. A complete list of all interested parties will be posted on our website to encourage partnership/collaborations across regions. 

 

  • Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program
  • Description: DCEO “…is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to expand the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre- Apprenticeship Program is administered by the Department's Office of Illinois Works. The goal of the Illinois Works Act is to ensure that all Illinois residents have access to State capital projects and careers in the construction industry and building trades, as well as provide contracting and employment opportunities to historically underrepresented populations in the construction industry and the trades.”
  • Eligibility includes: “Non-profit community-based organizations, such as colleges, industry associations, chambers of commerce, local workforce innovation areas, community colleges, technical schools, or school districts” Read the NOFO for full details including Experienced and New Providers and Existing Illinois Works Grantees.
  • Award Range: $150,000 - $550,000
  • Deadline: August 30, 2024 at 5:00pm
  • Webinar on Grant Opportunity: Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 9:30am. To register click HERE.

 

  • Route 66 Grant Program
  • Description: “The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to award grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.”
  • Eligibility includes: “convention and visitors bureaus certified by the Department pursuant to 20 ILCS 605/605-707”
  • Award Range: $20,000 - $300,000
  • Deadline: September 16, 2024 at 5:00PM

 

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

 

  • 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.”
  • Bid Credit Range: varies, here is more info on bid credits

 

  • Additional State
  • Capital Development Board - Solicitations


 

 

  • Illinois Treasurer’s Office – Charitable Trust Grant
  • Description: Open to
  • Small non-profits that have charitable programs in: Food, Economic & Workforce Development
  • Additional criteria listed on the Illinois Treasurer’s website, click HERE.
  • Award Range: grants of up to $20,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024

 

  • HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Development Program – Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
  • Description: “IHDA has released this Request for Applications for the development of Non-Congregate Shelter (“NCS”) through the federal HOME-ARP Program. HOME-ARP defines NCS as one or more buildings that provide private units or rooms as temporary shelter to individuals and families and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. With this funding, IHDA seeks to expand the availability of quality emergency shelter space statewide in order to better serve Illinois’ residents with the greatest need for emergency housing resources.” “Eligible applicants must be current shelter providers that participate in the Emergency Solutions Grant Program or the Emergency & Transitional Housing Program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services or have another verifiable operating funding source.”
  • Deadline: “All interested applicants must submit a complete Preliminary Project Assessment by Monday, October 7, 2024…Applications are due to IHDA by 5:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, February 20, 2025.”

 

  • Federal Government

 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (Community Chamber Grants)
  • Description: “The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million.”. Here is a link to more info, click HERE.
  • Award Range: up to $20,000,000
  • Deadline: November 21, 2024 at 10:59 PM

 

  • Local Governments

 

  • City of Chicago – Request for Proposal for the Small Business and Non-for-profit Support Grant Program  
  • Description: “Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. Through this RFP, the City will select one (1) organization to serve as the administrator of the $21.5M Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. The program administrator will work with the City and BACP to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits located in Chicago to assist in stabilizing their operations, supporting their workforce, and mitigating the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
  • Deadline: Friday, September 6, 2024 at 12:00pm

 

 

  • 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

 

  • 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

 


 

  • Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative
  • Description: Open nationwide. “This program is designed to support LGBTQ+ small businesses, especially those owned by and designed for LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community.” The for-profit business was impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Grant is from Human Rights Campaign, SHOWTIME, Paramount +
  • Award Range: unknown
  • Deadline: August 31, 2024

 

  • EmpowHer Grant
  • Description: “Female entrepreneurs 22 years of age and older with businesses registered and operating solely in the United States. An applicant’s business must address a social issue directly or through its business model, and must not be more than 3 years old. To be awarded grant funding, applicants must self-report a credit score and agree to a third-party background check.”.
  • Award Range: up to $25,000 plus access to professionals
  • Deadline: August 31, 2024

 

 

  • Community Foundation of Central Illinois
  • Description: Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits that serve individuals within a 50-mile radius surrounding the city of Peoria, Illinois, excluding Knox and McLean counties. There are 3 target areas:
  • Community Needs Grants – “Available to organizations offering programs that align with the Grantmaking Principles and Elements CFCI Supports (Community Development, Capacity Building, or Education).”
  • Women’s Fund Success Grants – “The Women's Fund endowment strengthens families and communities by providing grants to organizations whose programs help empower women and girls”
  • Local Jobs Fund – “The Local Jobs Fund was established to support projects that have a direct linkage to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with the skills to earn significantly more than minimum wage.”
  • Award Range: depends on target area from up to $5,000, $15,000, etc.
  • Deadline: September 4, 2024 at 5pm

 

  • Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative
  • Description: Open nationwide to qualifying nonprofits 501(c)3 or elementary, middle, or high schools who provide athletic spaces to youth ages 6-24 in under-resourced communities.
  • Award Range: $50,000 to $100,000
  • Deadline: September 5, 2024

 

  • Fast Break for Small Business Grant Program
  • Description: Open nationwide “Small businesses that have been in operation for at least three months are eligible for a $10,000 small business grant and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services. Entrepreneurs who have yet to launch their business are eligible for up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services.”
  • Award Range: “$10,000 small business grant and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services”
  • Deadline: September 13, 2024 at 7pm

 

  • Her Village Grants
  • Description: Open nationwide to qualifying nonprofits. “Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that support female entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, financing, and/or other mission-aligned programming.”
  • Award Range: up to $30,000
  • Deadline: September 15, 2024

 

 

  • Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program
  • Description: “LISC and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching a fourth round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which funds nonprofit community organizations offering a range of services for young people, including health and wellness, education and life skills, mentoring, and career development”. Open to nonprofits, 501c3, in underserved communities in Chicago, IL. For additional cities, click HERE.
  • Award Range: $25,000 - $100,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024

 

  • Midland States Bank Foundation Fall Awards
  • Description: “[Midland States Bank Foundation] are proud to offer grants to non-profit organizations and initiatives that align with [their] key focus areas: education, work force development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development and health & wellness.” This grant is open to 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 organizations serving the communities in the geographic areas of Midland.
  • Award Range: $7,500+
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024

 

  • Hometown Grants – T-Mobile
  • Description: Open nationwide to small towns. “Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000 can apply.” T-Mobile will “fund projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.”
  • Award Range: up to $50,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024

 

  • Spark Good Local Grant- Walmart
  • Description: “Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants... These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where [they] operate”. Must have a Spark Good Account from Walmart.com. Open to nonprofits – 501(c)3, government entity, or “K-12 public or nonprofit private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university; or a church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and clothing closets”, Read more about the eligibility at: https://walmart.org/how-we-give/program-guidelines/spark-good-local-grants-guidelines
  • Award Range: “range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000”
  • Deadline: October 15, 2024



Share by: