Illinois grants for Small businesses

The Aurora’s Finish Line Grant Program offers gap financing solutions to commercial businesses and property owners seeking to complete permanent property rehabilitation and improvement projects. Donor Name: Invest Aurora State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Purpose of the Finish Line Grant Program is to increase the economic viability of the City of Aurora by assisting business and property owners in their completion of commercial rehabilitation projects. The Finish Line Grant Committee will consider each case on its individual merits. Funding Information A project up to a maximum grant amount of $50,000. Geographic Areas Eligible rehabilitation projects must be performed on commercial properties located within the limits of the City of Aurora. Qualified Expenses Qualified Expenses that are eligible for reimbursement under the Finish Line Grant are:  Build out costs for new or expanded retail space resulting in fixed capital improvements that will remain permanent to the property.  Building materials  Internal and external lighting  HVAC, electrical, and plumbing new system installation and upgrades only    Exterior signage  Repair/rehabilitation of building exterior, including tuckpointing Qualifications Eligibility Criteria The property proposed for rehabilitation must be zoned for commercial use and be located within the limits of the City of Aurora. To be eligible for reimbursement of project costs under this grant program, the following requirements and conditions must be met:  Control of the property must be proven.  Good Standing with the City of Aurora must be established.  No existing code violations on the subject property must be proven.  All required permits and certificates must be issued by the COA before funds will be distributed  Project cost must exceed $5,000  Only Qualified Expenses will be reimbursed.  Projects started prior to April 15, 2024 are not eligible  Business must generate retail sales tax (51% of annual revenue must generate sales tax – annual sales tax reporting required)  All work must be permanent to the building.  For more information, visit Invest Aurora Illinois.

The City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development accepts applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects. Donor Name: Department of Planning and Development State: Illinois City: Chicago Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Chicago is committed to strengthening local business corridors and enhancing neighborhood vitality. The Chicago Recovery Plan provides opportunities for the City to invest in catalytic developments that expand upon DPD’s existing investments and support. City staff prioritizes projects in areas of Chicago with a history of disinvestment or limited private investment. Eligible capital projects will be considered for all applicable funding sources, including: Chicago Recovery Plan Community Development (Large Grants). Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (Large Grants). Tax Increment Financing. Funding Information $250,000 is available. Eligibility Criteria  Grant funding can be used for pre-development, construction, or renovation costs for permanent capital improvement projects. Open to community developers, business owners and entrepreneurs, and property owners. Site control is preferred, but not required. Residential-only development is not eligible, but mixed-use projects are eligible. Priority is given to catalytic projects with a strong local impact that are able to leverage local talents, capacities and institutions to strengthen and contribute to the community. Applicants from all areas of Chicago are eligible to apply. Priority projects are located in historically disinvested areas and/or build upon existing efforts and community safety initiatives. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate momentum and are expected to break ground within six months of grant acceptance. For more information, visit City of Chicago DPD.

This grant provides matching funds to commercial property owners and businesses in specific zoning districts of Libertyville, Illinois, to improve the appearance and condition of their buildings and sites.

This program provides financial support to social equity-licensed cannabis businesses in Cook County to help cover startup and operational costs, prioritizing those in historically marginalized communities.

This program provides matching grants to local businesses in Libertyville to support growth and sustainability through various improvements, excluding general operational costs.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant dollars to support the important work of early child care providers in Will County. Child care providers pursue grant funding for educational materials, developmental support services, and/or improvements to physical space and technology. The “Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant” represents a key priority for Will County: Supporting and empowering early childhood development throughout the county. The grant is funded in the FY2024 budget, utilizing allocated dollars from the State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. Will County is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to administer the grant. Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Providers can submit multiple applications for award through the grant. Child Care providers have until May 22, 2024 to apply! Only DCFS Licensed Child Care providers within Will County are eligible. A virtual technical assistance workshop will be held on April 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

Description: The Illinois Grocery Initiative aims to establish new grocery stores in food deserts to increase access to fresh food in underserved areas. This grant, under the funding opportunity number FY24-2 and CSFA number 420-35-3295, anticipates awarding 8 grants with a total program funding of $14,000,000. Eligible projects must involve capital expenditures, as operational costs are not covered. Grants will range from $160,000 to $2,400,000, and applicants are required to meet cost-sharing requirements. The application window opens on 04/09/2024 and closes on 05/24/2024. Indirect costs are allowed but restricted to capital-only expenditures. There are mandatory and optional technical assistance sessions provided to assist applicants, with registration required through provided links.

The Job Training and Economic Development - Teachers Apprenticeship Program aims to provide targeted job training and development opportunities through a state-funded grant. Eligible entities are encouraged to apply for funding to establish or enhance apprenticeship programs for teachers. This opportunity supports efforts to develop the educational workforce and improve economic opportunities within the community. The program is anticipated to award 4 grants, with a total funding amount of $2,000,000 available. Grants will be awarded ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. Applications are accepted from the announcement date until the specified closing date. Technical assistance sessions are available for prospective applicants. These are not mandatory but are offered to provide additional support. The session is scheduled for 03/28/2024 at 1:00 PM, and registration can be completed online.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) offers the Section 319(h) Grant Program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution affecting Illinois’ water resources. This program, funded through the Clean Water Act, supports projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution. Prioritized projects include those implementing approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans, with activities ranging from BMP implementation to monitoring and outreach efforts. The program encourages applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to NPS pollution control and offer sustainable environmental benefits. Grant renewed every year.

The Illinois EPA is seeking proposals for projects aimed at addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to enhance the quality of Illinois' surface and groundwater. Funded through the Clean Water Act's Section 319(h), this program supports the development and implementation of watershed-based planning projects. These projects may include creating new watershed-based plans, updating existing plans, providing technical assistance for NPS pollution control, and conducting environmental and social indicator monitoring. The goal is to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments through strategic planning and community engagement. Grant renewed every year.

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. With an estimated total program funding of $25.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. These grants are designed to support equity investment eligible communities, provide on-the-job training, and facilitate the development of projects that benefit low-income households and community-based businesses. The program encourages projects that generate or save energy, with a significant focus on involving equity eligible contractors and workforce from CEJA or FEJA programs. Applicants are encouraged to leverage other funding sources to enhance cost-effectiveness and project impact.

The Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program, funded by the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to establish a network of community-based providers throughout Illinois to facilitate community education, outreach, and recruitment. These providers will connect individuals to clean energy workforce and contractor development programs, with a focus on equity investment eligible communities and individuals. The program has a budget of $6 million and expects to award 13 grants ranging from $250,000 to $600,000. It targets specific hub regions and operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

This program provides financial assistance to new small businesses in Evanston, helping them cover essential operating costs and equipment expenses to foster job creation and sustainability.

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3054-2638): The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, administered by the Commerce And Econ Opp agency, aims to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. The program is designed to remove barriers caused by lack of capital and promote project, community, and business development. The anticipated number of awards is 40, with an estimated total program funding of $25,500,000. The award range is between $250,000 and $1,000,000. The source of funding is the state government of Illinois. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, but indirect costs are not allowed. The application period is from November 16, 2023, to June 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance sessions are offered on November 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM and registration can be done through a provided link. Applicants must be pre-qualified entities registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. For more information on eligibility criteria and application requirements, please visit the grant application link provided in the description above.

CDBG COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grant – Illinois: The City of Danville is offering up to $139,820 in funding through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to support small businesses within the city in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant aims to supplement existing federal or state programs and provide targeted assistance to help Danville businesses effectively navigate the impact of the pandemic.

Grant Opportunity: Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program (Illinois) The Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program in Illinois supports elementary schools, community centers, and public libraries in engaging teaching artists for short-term residencies. The program prioritizes advancing equity and access in the arts, particularly for underserved audiences such as BIPOC communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited access to the arts. Eligible applicants can request a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $4,500 to cover 75% of residency costs. Additional percentages can be added under specific conditions. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or units of government in Illinois, while the selected artists must be based in Illinois. The application deadline is at least eight weeks before the project start date. For more information, visit Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program.