The Catalyst Grant

The Catalyst Grant, funded by Cook County and administered by the Women’s Business Development Center in partnership with Allies for Community Business, aims to support the growth and development of established for-profit businesses within Cook County, Illinois. The program seeks to bolster business operations through direct capital investment, helping selected enterprises address key development needs such as workforce expansion, equipment acquisition, and facility upgrades. This competitive grant opportunity is designed for companies that meet strict eligibility requirements. To apply, businesses must be based in Cook County, be for-profit entities, and have annual revenues between $500,000 and $10 million in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, eligible businesses must employ at least one full-time employee beyond the owner in both 2024 and at the time of application. Applicants must also demonstrate evidence of business growth, particularly an increase in net income and a rise in full-time employee count from 2023 to 2024. Only those operating in specific industries—construction, finance and insurance, information technology, manufacturing, professional services, and real estate—are eligible. The grant provides $100,000 to each of up to 88 selected businesses. These funds must be used exclusively for capital-related investments including the purchase of equipment, improvements to facilities, or workforce investments. The application process includes stringent documentation requirements, such as federal tax returns for 2023 and 2024, IRS Form 941 for Q4 of each year, valid photo identification of the business owner, and evidence of good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Applicants must complete the online application in a single session, as progress cannot be saved. Incomplete applications or those submitted without the required documents will not be considered. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. The application deadline is November 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Evaluation of applications will be based on business eligibility, documentation accuracy, and demonstrated business growth. Questions and support are available via a dedicated help desk by email or phone. This grant does not recur annually; it is a one-time opportunity as part of the Cook County Small Business Source initiative.

Prepare all documents in advance; application cannot be edited after submission; ensure business info is consistent across all uploads.