Small Business Development Centers

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support the operation of Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). These centers are vital components in a statewide network that delivers technical assistance, confidential one-on-one advising, and professional training to existing small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to ensure high-quality support for small business growth and innovation in underserved geographic regions throughout Illinois. The SBDC program is structured to address the unique economic development needs of specific communities. This includes targeted areas within the City of Chicago (e.g., Austin, Garfield Park, Roseland), municipalities in Cook County (e.g., Oak Park, Orland Park), and various downstate counties (e.g., Sangamon, Rock Island, Madison). Funded centers must provide professional services that help small businesses access capital, improve business operations, develop export capacity, adopt innovation and advanced technologies, and enhance overall productivity. Applicants may also propose specialized programming under the International Trade Center (ITC) or Manufacturing designations, which promote sector-specific expertise statewide. This NOFO is open to accredited institutions of higher education, nonprofits engaged in economic development, local government entities with established economic development departments, and public economic development institutions. Applicants must demonstrate a defined service area, at least five years of organizational history aligned with SBDC goals, fiscal capacity to manage and match grant funds (with at least 50% of the match in cash), and strong partnerships. SBDCs operate under a reimbursement model, and each $80,000 in funding requires at least 1,100 hours of client advising. Indirect costs may not be charged to the grant, but waived indirects may count toward the in-kind match under specific conditions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all service areas are filled. Required materials include the Uniform Grant Application, Budget, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Mandatory Disclosure, a detailed Program Application (Sections 1–4), and supplemental documentation such as personnel forms, organizational charts, a training calendar, and a scope of work. Submissions are made via Smartsheet. Evaluation is merit-based, with a 300-point rubric assessing community need, organizational capacity, and proposal quality. Specialty designations may earn up to 50 additional points. Awards are expected to begin January 1, 2026, with a one-year performance period renewable for up to three years total. Total anticipated funding is $1,463,251, with awards ranging from $80,000 to $525,000 per center. Match requirements and eligibility verifications must be completed via the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. The DCEO will make funding recommendations in coordination with SBA and reserves the right to reallocate funding to best meet regional needs. Funded centers must adhere to strict performance reporting and financial tracking requirements, including quarterly narratives, economic impact documentation, stakeholder events, and annual success stories. This NOFO emphasizes the leveraging of local partnerships and shared resources, with preference given to applicants demonstrating cost efficiency, strong outreach strategies, and alignment with state economic development objectives. Applicants currently operating SBDCs or with established experience in federal/state grant management are encouraged to apply. Additional program requirements and definitions are available in the supplemental Illinois SBDC Program Guide referenced in the NOFO.

Emphasize regional coordination, cash match, and capacity to deliver 1,100 hours of advising per $80K