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Funding Opportunities

Federal, State and Local Resources
Last update October 27, 2025.

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State Resources

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Below are a few currently open:

 

DCEO Grants - Complete list of grants opened | link

 

Below are a few currently open:

 

  • Tourism Attraction Grant Program

  • Description: “…to provide grants to assist in the development or improvement of tourism attractions that increase the economic impact of tourism throughout the State.” Open to businesses, nonprofits, local promotion groups, counties, municipalities and units of local government. See NOFO for complete eligibility.

  • Award Range: $15,000 - $200,000

  • Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

  •  Tourism Private Sector Grant Program

  • Description: “…to provide grants for the purpose of attracting, hosting and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing festivals and events.” Open to Illinois for-profit entity, county, municipality, nonprofit, and local promotion groups. See NOFO for complete eligibility.

  • Award Range: $10,000 - $50,000

  • Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

  • Marketing Partnership Program – Cook County

  • Description: “The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers to market and promote destinations, attractions and events throughout the State. The goal of the program is to increase overnight stays in paid accommodations.” Open to counties, municipalities, nonprofits and local promotion groups that are located inside Cook County.

  • Award Range: $10,000 - $100,000

  • Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

  • Marketing Partnership Program - Balance of State

  • Description: “The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to match/leverage local funds with State funds to market and promote destinations, tourism attractions and tourism events throughout the State. The goal of the program is to increase overnight stays in paid accommodations.” Open to counties, municipalities, nonprofits, and local promotion groups located outside Cook County.

  • Award Range: $10,000 - $100,000

  • Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

  • Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)

  • Description: “The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.” “DCEO has contracted with Chicago State University (CSU) and Western Illinois University (WIU) to provide technical assistance services for Illinois Grocery Initiative applicants and grantees.” (page 1-2 of NOFO). There is a matching component please read the NOFO.

  • Award Range: $25,000 - $250,000

  • Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis) 

 

  • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.     

  • DCEO Jobs - Complete list of openings | link

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Additional Government Resources

 

  • City of Aurora - One Aurora Neighborhood Empowerment Grant Program

  • Description: “This program provides one-time funding to assist residents with reimbursement for projects such as paint, window, and door screen repair, siding repairs, general landscaping, fencing improvements, and small repairs that affect the exterior presentation of the home.”

  • Award Range: up to $1,000

  • Deadline: “…on a rolling basis until funds are depleted through December 31, 2025”

 

  • City of Champaign 

  • Title: New Business Program

  • Description: Applicants are start-up businesses or those that first generated revenue within the last two (2) years. Businesses should have fewer than three full-time equivalent employees and generate less than $250,000 in gross annual revenues.

  • Award Range: up to $10,000 reimbursement 

  • Deadline: October 26, 2025

 

  • Title: Growing Business Program

  • Description: Applicants are businesses that began generating revenue more than two (2) years ago and are seeking to grow their operations and/or expand employment. Businesses should have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and generate less than $2 million in gross annual revenues.

  • Award Range: up to $20,000

  • Deadline: October 26, 2025

 

  • City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund

  • Description: Promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.

  • Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties

  • Deadline varies

 

  • City of Chicago: Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

  • Description: “…provides capital development grants up to $250,000 for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors.”

  • Award Range: up to $250,000

  • Deadline: November 14, 2025

 

  • City of Chicago: Community Development Grant – Medium

  • Description: “…to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects.” “Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply…”

  • Award Range: $300,001 to $5 million

  • Deadline: February 13, 2026

 

  • City of Moline: Business Improvement Grant (BIG) Program

  • Description: The BIG Program is funded in large part through the City of East Moline’s Business Development District #2, established in 2024 to provide economic incentives through a 0.75% sales tax. Under the BIG Program, grant awardees are reimbursed for eligible project costs…” “Eligible Projects: Commercial or Industrial projects that are located or locating within the City of East Moline's Business Development District... This area includes all major commercial and industrial areas of the city.

  • Award Range: up to $50,000

  • Deadline: ongoing

 

  • Cook County – Catalyst Grant 

  • Description: Open to businesses in one of the following industries: construction, finance and insurance, information technology, manufacturing, professional services, and real estate that are located in Cook County; with at least 1 full time employee plus the owner and have revenue between $500,000 and $10 million.

  • Award Range: $100,000

  • Deadline: October 31, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

 

 

  • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant

  • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”

  • Award Range: $10,000 - $20,000

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Community/Private Resources

 

  • Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program

  • Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.

  • Award Range: $5,000

 

  • National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) from Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

  • Description: “The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.” Organizations must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor.

  • Award Range: up to $30,000 per year

 

  •  The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation

  • Description: “Affirm Cares funds 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who seek to make a positive impact in one or more of our core three pillars; financial literacy & inclusion, technology education & training, and vibrant communities.”

  • Award Range: $1,000 to $10,000

  • Deadline: rolling until funds are exhausted

 

  • The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Emergency Grants

  • Description: The Community Foundation for McHenry County is committed to enhancing county services and expanding financial support to local non-profits.” “The Emergency Grant program supports nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that significantly impact their ability to fulfill their mission or deliver services. This grant is intended to help organizations address unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies.

  • Award Range: unknown

  • Deadline: This grant operates on a rolling application cycle.

 

  • Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant

  • Description: “…small, independent restaurants across the United States can apply for the chance to join a program designed to spark growth, innovation, and long-term success. Applicants who attend at least three of National ACE’s expert-led virtual Restaurant Accelerator sessions in November will be eligible…”

  • Award Range: $5,000

  • Deadline: October 24, 2025 by 10:59pm

 

  • Jack’s Community Grants Program – Fall 2025

  • Description: Open nationwide to 501(c)3 to orgs “…whose primary mission is to feed, educate, and empower youth in our restaurant communities are invited to apply for funding, located within 50 miles of a Jack in the Box, etc.”

  • Award Range: $5,000 - $10,000

  • Deadline: October 31, 2025 by 2:00pm

 

  • The Impact Fund

  • Description: “The Impact Fund makes recoverable grants to nonprofit organizations, solo practitioners, and small law firms involved in impact litigation. We fund economic, environmental, racial, and social justice cases that will benefit a community facing systemic oppression.”

  • Award Range: up to $50,000

  • Deadline: November 6, 2025

 

  • The Suter Company Community Enrichment Grant Program

  • Description: Eligible applicants are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to DeKalb County, Illinois residents.

  • Award Range: up to $25,000

  • Deadline: November 7, 2025

 

  • The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

  • Description: The Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations across the United States. The Foundation aims to support organizations and programs for which a relatively small amount of funding might make a large difference. The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

  • Award Range: $1,000 to $20,000

  • Deadline: November 10, 2025 at 10:59 pm

 

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