Hilo Business Development Center
Funding open now for Chicago small businesses and nonprofits.
Every grant, loan, and program below was checked against the funder's own page. Expired opportunities have been removed. Where a deadline or award amount could not be confirmed at the source, we say so rather than guess.
Chicago Small Business Resource Map
What may your business qualify for?
Enter your business address to instantly see the grants, loans, permits, licenses, free advising, and city programs that may be available at your location. We organize every public resource so you can see what you may be eligible for.
- 1 Enter your business address or neighborhood.
- 2 View funding, licensing, technical assistance, and local business resources that may be available at that location.
- 3 Book a free 1:1 and we'll help you navigate the process.
Works with any Chicago address or neighborhood.
Open the full map →01 — Closing soonest
If you act on one thing this month, start here.
Deadlines as posted by the funder. Times matter on several of these: two close in the afternoon, not at midnight.
02 — Illinois DCEO
Small Business Development Centers
Host organizations to operate Illinois SBDCs and deliver one-on-one advising to small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. Eligible areas only: Chicago Far Southeast Side, Elgin, Grundy and Kankakee counties. GATA pre-qualification required.
Award: $80,000 to $380,259
Deadline: Rolling until areas fill
Corrected: DCEO's summary page shows $525,000; the governing NOFO supplement says $380,259. The supplement controls.
Economic Empowerment Centers
Builds an inclusive business ecosystem in communities that have faced systemic barriers to entry and growth. Open to career education agencies and nonprofits including chambers of commerce and community organizations.
Award: $250,000 to $500,000
Deadline: Rolling until funds exhausted
Watch: a 100% match of the grant amount is required.
Innovation Vouchers
Grants for research projects run in partnership with an Illinois institution of higher education. Illinois companies with 500 or fewer employees in agtech, energy, IT, life sciences, manufacturing, or logistics.
Award: Up to 75% of cost, max $75,000
Deadline: Rolling, decisions within 60 days
Link corrected: the DCEO page is a stub. Applications run through the ISTC portal.
Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship
Funds community-based nonprofits to recruit, pre-screen, and deliver free pre-apprenticeship training for the construction trades. New and experienced providers may both apply. GATA pre-qualification required.
Award: $150,000 to $550,000
Deadline: October 2, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Note: DCEO labels this cycle FY27-1, not a round number. Optional TA session September 15.
SBIR / STTR Matching
State matching funds for Illinois recipients of federal SBIR or STTR awards. Requires an active federal Phase I award received within the last 12 months. Phase II requires 51% of research in Illinois.
Award: Up to $75,000 Phase I, $250,000 Phase II
Deadline: First come, first served through June 30, 2027
All DCEO opportunities
The full state grant index, including CDBG programs, ETIP, and FEJA Multi-Cultural. Worth checking monthly. Note that DCEO's Federal Grant Support Program Round 2 still appears without a due date but its window actually closed in October 2025.
Deadline: Varies by program
03 — Additional state government
ICJIA Institute to Innovate (i2i)
Strengthens community-based organizations, including grassroots groups, working to prevent violence and improve public safety. Open to nonprofits, for-profit businesses, and other entities authorized by ICJIA.
Award: Up to $250,000
Deadline: September 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Verify first: the deadline is confirmed via the state GATA list, but the $250,000 ceiling could not be reconfirmed. This is NOFO 2762-0514. Read the ceiling off AmpliFund before budgeting.
Charitable Trust: Food and Housing
For nonprofits with annual budgets of $1 million or less and at least one full-time employee. Special consideration for applicants serving areas with high poverty and unemployment.
Award: Up to $20,000
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Start now: requires IRS exemption, Attorney General Charitable Trust registration, and a Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing. Those take time.
IL EPA Public Building Grant
Energy efficiency projects at public buildings providing local government services. Municipalities, counties, and other units of local government. School districts are not eligible.
Award: $50,000 to $200,000
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Cost share: 5% for awards under $100,000, 10% above. $766,600 available total.
Creative Accelerator Fund
Illinois Arts Council support for individual artists, aimed at the creative workforce that makes up a significant share of state economic activity. Illinois artists 21 or older with an active, sustained practice.
Award: $10,000, taxable
Deadline: October 14, 2026 at 11:59 pm
04 — Chicago and Cook County
Storefront Activation (CCSA)
Reimbursable grants for capital improvements to vacant and existing commercial spaces: flooring, electrical, HVAC, ADA upgrades, facade. Hilo is the designated Corridor Lead on W 18th Street from Ashland to Morgan, and provides free application support.
Award: Up to 75% of project costs, 25% match
Deadline: November 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm, rolling and evaluated quarterly
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
The largest buildout grant on this page. Strengthens commercial corridors on the South, Southwest, and West Sides. Requires site control and an NOF-eligible corridor.
Award: Up to $250,000 plus $50,000 technical assistance
Deadline: Rolling, evaluated quarterly
Use this page: the city's own NOF page still shows a November 2025 deadline. Confirm your corridor at NOF@CityofChicago.org.
Neighborhood Market Grant
For food entrepreneurs and food-focused organizations increasing access to fresh, healthy, affordable food. Retail and food and beverage owners plus farmers market operators in priority geographies.
Award: Up to $10,000, one-time
Deadline: September 25, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Corrected: the previous list said 12:00 pm. It is 5:00 pm. Spanish applications went live September 4.
Small Business Improvement Fund
TIF-funded reimbursement for permanent building improvements. Opens by TIF district, so check the calendar monthly rather than assuming your corridor is open. September zones: 107th/Halsted, Fullerton/Milwaukee, LaSalle Central, Madison/Austin, Woodlawn.
Award: $150,000 commercial, $250,000 industrial
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Next rounds Oct 1–30, Nov 1–30, Dec 1–30.
Workforce Solutions Program
Non-repayable reimbursement for job training, for current staff and new hires. Chicago businesses across ten categories including nonprofits, food service, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and logistics. Third-party trainer required.
Award: Up to $250,000, up to 100% of eligible cost
Deadline: Rolling, open citywide
26th Street Storefront Activation
A year-long storefront pop-up on the 26th Street corridor, run by the Little Village Chamber as a BACP delegate. In-kind rather than cash, and worth more than most cash grants here.
Award: Rent covered for a year, plus technical assistance
Deadline: Open call, no posted date. Spaces limited and competitive, so apply early.
Cook County BRITE
Free environmental assessments and pollution-reduction grants for suburban Cook businesses in dry cleaning, auto body and repair, metal finishing, metal fabrication, and food and beverage manufacturing.
Award: First-round awards ran $107,350 to $300,000
Deadline: None posted, funds still available
Eligibility: in operation before January 1, 2020, with proven COVID revenue loss, and three required trainings.
Down Payment Assistance (DPAP)
Cuts the upfront cost for Cook County businesses buying their first building through SBA 504. Two or more years operating, revenue $200,000 to $5 million, project size $1 million or less.
Award: 5% of eligible costs, up to $25,000
Deadline: None posted, finite pool
Confirm funds first: the county funded roughly 16 to 20 projects total.
05 — Other Illinois local governments
City of Aurora 2027 Cycle
Federal and local funds for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, infrastructure, community services, and economic growth.
Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 5:00 pm CST, no exceptions
Start here: the application is not downloadable until the virtual workshop on September 15, 10:00 to 11:30 am, so the workshop is the entry point.
Naperville SECA, CY2027
Funds social and artistic events providing cultural experiences for Naperville. Open to nonprofits and artists.
Deadline: October 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Warning: the mandatory applicant workshops were August 20 and 24 and both have passed. Attendance was recorded. If you missed both, contact SECA staff before spending time on an application.
Will County On-The-Job Training
Subsidizes a new hire's wages while they learn the job. Employers in healthcare, manufacturing, IT, finance and professional services, or transportation and logistics. Full-time at $14.91 per hour minimum.
Award: 50% of wages, rising to 75% for hires with barriers. $10,000 max per OJT, five per year.
Deadline: Continuous
Genz Small Business Fund
Gap financing for the Galena Trade Area when a traditional bank loan has been declined. Retailers, small manufacturers, wholesalers, hospitality, farmers, and food processors.
Award: Actual awards have run $5,000 to $19,370
Deadline: Rolling, no posted window
Corrected: the previous list showed $4,000 to $19,000.
Carbondale Facade Loan
Facade work on structures inside the mapped downtown program area. Interest three points below prime, capped at 7% and floored at 3%, term of 10 years or less.
Award: Lesser of $40 per square foot or $20,000
Deadline: Rolling, first come first served
Corrected: this is a loan, not a grant, and the previous list omitted both the loan structure and the $20,000 cap.
Bloomington-Normal Lease Grant
Helps a business lease vacant commercial space in McLean County. Must be new lease space, not a relocation. Requires a business plan approved by the SBDC of McLean County.
Award: $10,000
Deadline: None posted, confirm at carl@bnedc.org
Sequence matters: the application must be formally approved before any lease is executed. Signing first disqualifies you.
06 — Private, corporate and community
Stanley 1913 Creators Fund
Open to eligible nonprofits nationwide. No Illinois or Chicago restriction.
Award: Up to $50,000
Deadline: September 13, 2026
IL Hispanic Chamber Microgrant
Direct relief for businesses affected by federal immigration enforcement activity, plus business support services and workshops. Phase 1 covers Pilsen, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, Archer Heights, Back of the Yards, Little Village, Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, and Berwyn and Cicero.
Award: 52 grants of $5,000 each
Deadline: September 14, 2026
If you are outside Phase 1: get on IHCC's list now. Later phases are not separately advertised.
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
Annual grants supporting free, direct civil legal services for low-income Illinois residents. CY 2027 cycle.
Award: Minimum $25,000, no stated maximum
Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Note the time: the cutoff is 6:00 pm, not midnight. Anyone planning to submit that evening will miss it.
Chicago Community Trust Sponsorships
Sponsors programming events that strengthen economic mobility and address critical needs in Chicago. A realistic first grant if you have a fall or winter event on the calendar. 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored, in or serving Chicago or Cook County.
Award: Not published
Deadline: September 21, 2026, for events November 2026 through January 2027
Awesome Foundation Chicago
The lowest-barrier item here: no 501(c)(3), no match, short application. Open to individuals, informal groups, businesses, and nonprofits. Good first win for a neighborhood project, mural, pop-up, or community event.
Award: $1,000, one per month
Deadline: September 22, then October 27, November 24, December 22
Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027
Individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Fellows join a cohort with peer learning and communications support.
Award: $30,000 each, up to eight artists
Deadline: October 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific
07 — Rolling and always open
Verizon Digital Ready
Verizon, with LISC, selects ten small businesses each month. Requires completing any two courses or events on the Digital Ready platform.
Award: $10,000
Deadline: Apply once anytime in 2026 and stay eligible all year. Reviews run monthly through December, with final decisions by January 12, 2027.
Best use of an hour: one application covers the rest of the year.
TechRise Pitch Competitions
P33 Chicago. Founders get coaching, then pitch before judges and investors, with non-dilutive capital awarded live on stage at every event. Open to Chicagoland founders.
Award: Non-dilutive, awarded on stage
Deadline: Rolling, always open. Next competition September 19, 2026.
AHA Social Impact Funds
Capital for social entrepreneurs working on health care access and quality, food security, and economic empowerment. Both for-profit and nonprofit. Chicago is an active geography and applicants must be local to the community they serve.
Award: Grants $150,000 to $500,000. Loans and venture investments also up to $500,000.
Deadline: Accepted year-round
IMEC Apprenticeship Grant
IMEC designs apprenticeship programs for food and beverage manufacturers, handling registration, compliance, reporting, and funding guidance. DCEO-funded.
Award: Not published. Ask apprenticeship@imec.org before committing staff time.
Deadline: Rolling, first come, slots limited
Link cleaned: the previous URL carried marketing tracking parameters that will eventually break.
ComEd Small Business Relief
One-time matching grants against a past-due electric bill, administered by NHS Chicago from a $2.5 million pool. Commercial meters under 500 kW with active service. Home-based businesses and nonprofits are not eligible.
Award: Matching, up to $500. Owe $1,000, apply for $500 and pay $500.
Deadline: First come while funds last
Call first: 888-688-5438. Open since June 15 and the balance could not be verified.
McHenry County Emergency Grants
For nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that threaten service delivery: equipment failures, health and safety incidents, infrastructure, natural disasters, technology failures.
Award: Not published
Deadline: Rolling
Required first step: call Jake Schlicht at 815-338-4483 to discuss the proposal. Cold applications are not considered.
We Rise Together
Small Business Advocacy Council. Supports a business transition into physical space on the South and West Sides.
Award: Up to $12,500
Deadline: Not posted
Treat as a lead: nothing on the page confirms the program is currently accepting applications. Call Natalia Borowska at 312-548-8608 before sending a client.
08 — Removed this cycle
Closed doors, listed on purpose so nobody chases them.
LGBTQ Community Fund 2026, Chicago Community Trust. Closed September 2, 2026. No new cycle announced. CCT's opportunities index has not been updated and still shows this as active, so it will keep drawing applicants. Confirm at grants@cct.org or 312-616-8000.
Target Community Engagement Funds. Cycle 2 closed September 4, 2026. The page now says to return in April 2027 for Cycle 1. Awards run $1,000 to $15,000, so worth calendaring for March 2027.
Champaign Storefront Improvement Program. The URL no longer resolves and the program appears retired. Those $10,000-per-building rolling terms trace to a 2012-era TIF program. Champaign's current incentives are the New Business Program up to $10,000 and Growing Business Program up to $20,000, both competitive with deadlines rather than rolling, and both closed after Round 2 with a possible third round in fall 2026.
Coalitions Advancing Economic Mobility, Chicago Community Trust. The letter of intent stage closed August 27, 2026, and the October 9 full application appears open only to organizations that filed an LOI. Not actionable for new applicants. If you filed one, your October 9 date stands.
DCEO Federal Grant Support Program, Round 2. The page says "no specific due dates," but the posted window actually ran September 16 to October 16, 2025 and closed almost a year ago. Do not present it as open. If the match matters to a federal application you are preparing, call CEO.FedGrantMatch@illinois.gov.
Three things a funder's page could not tell us, so someone needs to pick up a phone: the ICJIA i2i award ceiling, whether ComEd's relief pool still has money in it, and whether Naperville SECA will accept anyone who missed both mandatory August workshops while the window is still open.
Verified September 8, 2026 · AmpliFund, ICJIA and chicago.gov block automated checks
09 — Also checked, confirmed closed
These were verified as closed or paused and are not listed above. Most publish a next cycle in early 2027.
Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, Cook County Catalyst Grant, Chicago Community Development Grant, Adopt-A-Landmark, CCT Resilient Chicago Fund, Chicago Region Food System Fund, Polk Bros. Foundation, Woods Fund Chicago, Field Foundation, Community Wealth Building Pre-Development, DCASE CityArts, DCASE Individual Artists, Illinois Grocery Initiative, IAC Creative Projects Grant, Wells Fargo Open for Business, Nav, BofA Neighborhood Builders, Etsy Uplift Fund, Comcast RISE, and Sunshine Enterprises.
Need help applying?
You do not have to figure this out alone.
Hilo provides free 1:1 advising on eligibility, budgets, and submissions across every program on this page. On W 18th Street in Pilsen we are also the designated Corridor Lead for the City's storefront activation grant.