GrantExec

Illinois grants for Small businesses

Explore 82 grant opportunities

Black History Makers Business Grant Program
$5,000
Citi Trends
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 11, 2025

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

Business and Commerce
County governments
Application schedule varies. Check the IDNR Grant Opportunities for application periods: https://dnr.illinois.gov/grants.html
$4,000,000
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 13, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to various organizations and groups in Illinois for projects aimed at reducing water pollution from nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff and urban stormwater.

Natural Resources
Individuals
Harry S. Black and Allon Fuller Grant Program
$25,000
Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Fund
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 15, 2024

This grant provides funding to organizations that improve health care access and services for underserved populations, particularly focusing on low-income communities and individuals with physical disabilities.

Community Development
Nonprofits
Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant
$250,000
Illinois Department of Agriculture
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 27, 2025

This program provides funding to small food businesses, farms, and local governments in Illinois to improve their infrastructure for processing and distributing local agricultural products.

Community Development
Nonprofits
In Youth We Trust Youth Grants
$3,000
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 13, 2025

This grant provides funding for youth-led projects in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties that empower young people to address community challenges and develop leadership skills.

Education
Nonprofits
2024 NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program - Central Region
$25,000
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

May 27, 2024

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover from challenges.

Community Development
Nonprofits
City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
$250,000
City of Chicago
Local

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 31, 2025

This grant provides financial support for businesses and nonprofit organizations to develop and improve commercial and cultural spaces in underserved neighborhoods of Chicago.

Science and Technology
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
$245,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 27, 2025

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Illinois, particularly those owned by socially disadvantaged individuals and very small businesses, to help them modernize operations, improve infrastructure, and create or retain jobs.

Business and Commerce
Small businesses
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Illinois
Contact for amount
The Coleman Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Apr 2, 2025

This grant provides funding to organizations in the greater Chicago area that are working to enhance support for tech-based startups, improve access to capital, and advocate for reducing barriers to entrepreneurship.

Business and Commerce
Nonprofits
Frontera Farmer Foundation Grant Program
$15,000
Frontera Farmer Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 12, 2025

This grant provides financial support to small and mid-sized family farms in the Midwest that focus on sustainable practices and sell their products in the Chicago market.

Agriculture
Nonprofits
The Together Fund for Local Businesses
$300,000
The Chicago Community Trust
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 27, 2025

This funding opportunity supports mid-stage businesses and worker-owned cooperatives in underserved Chicago neighborhoods to strengthen their economic resilience and promote equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environment
Nonprofits
Small Business Growth Initiative Grant
$30,000
The Lake County Community Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Apr 1, 2025

This program provides funding and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed sustainably while positively impacting their local communities.

Business and Commerce
Small businesses
Midland States Bank Foundation Grant
$25,000
Midland States Bank Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Sep 10, 2025

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that enhance education, workforce development, financial empowerment, housing, small business growth, and health initiatives for communities within the bank's service areas, particularly benefiting low- to moderate-income populations.

Business and Commerce
Nonprofits
ComEd Powering Safe Communities Grant Program
$10,000
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 13, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and partnered non-profits in the ComEd service area for projects that improve public safety, community resilience, and sustainability through electrification initiatives.

Safety
City or township governments
Woods Fund Chicago Grantmaking Cycle
$35,000
Woods Fund Chicago
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 18, 2025

This grant provides financial support to grassroots organizations in the Chicago area that focus on community organizing and advocacy for racial and economic justice, particularly those led by BIPOC individuals and serving marginalized communities.

Law Justice and Legal Services
City or township governments
Culture Forward Chicago Initiative
$60,000
Chicagoโ€™s Cultural Treasures
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 21, 2025

This funding initiative provides financial support to arts and culture organizations in Chicago that celebrate and promote the cultural traditions of Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.

Arts
Nonprofits
Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i)
$300,000
Exelon Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Aug 29, 2025

This funding program provides financial support and resources to innovative startups focused on clean energy and environmental sustainability solutions that benefit communities within Exelon's service areas.

Environment
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Chicago Region Food System Fund
$200,000
Chicago Region Food System Fund
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Sep 3, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups in the greater Chicago area to strengthen the local food system through infrastructure improvements or policy advocacy focused on equity and sustainability.

Food and Nutrition
Nonprofits
Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program
Contact for amount
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 4, 2024

This program provides funding for projects that electrify mobile sources to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Illinois.

Environment
State governments
Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy Program in Illinois and Indiana
$5,000
Allies for Community Business
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 28, 2025

This program provides $5,000 grants and support to creative entrepreneurs in Illinois and Indiana who are focused on sustainability and business growth.

Business and Commerce
Small businesses