The application window for the Catalyst Grant has closed. Applications are currently under review, and selected businesses will be notified by Spring 2026.
Last Updated 11/14/2025
The 2025 Catalyst Grant, part of the Cook County Small Business Source initiative, offered up to 88 businesses a $100,000 grant to accelerate their next phase of growth. Funds can be used for hiring new talent, expanding operations, purchasing equipment or upgrading facilities.
The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development has $8.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the grants associated with this program. Cook County has contracted with the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Allies for Community Business to serve (A4CB) as the program administrators.
Up to 88 grants of $100,000 each will be awarded.
This program targeted key economic sectors that have demonstrated growth and profitability. For this program, eligible businesses must fall into one of the following sectors: Construction, Finance & Insurance, IT/Tech, Manufacturing, Professional Services, and Real Estate. A list of NAICS codes associated with the above sectors are listed in the “Industry Definitions” section below.
Businesses must meet all of the following factors:
No. Business owners of all demographics are eligible to apply.
No. Businesses that opened at any time are eligible for the grant.
Yes, if the for-profit meets all other eligibility requirements.
Only businesses that fall within the specified NAICS codes are eligible. A full list is available here.
Businesses that operate in NAICS codes starting with 23.
Businesses that operate in the following NAICS codes starting with:
Businesses that operate in NAICS codes starting with 51.
Businesses that operate in NAICS codes starting with 31, 32, and 33.
Businesses that operate in NAICS codes starting with 54.
Businesses that operate in NAICS codes starting with 53.
There is no geographic preference between the City of Chicago and suburban Cook County. All eligible businesses were encouraged to apply.
Yes, Cook County aims to distribute approximately 75% of the grants to businesses located in what is called a Community Development Financial Institution Investment (CDFI) Area. A CDFI, as defined by the US Treasury, is a geographic area that meets specific criteria related to poverty, income and unemployment.
Grant administrators will determine whether a business is located in a CDFI Investment Area based on the address provided in its application.
The US Department of the Treasury has a CDFI Fund Mapping Tool that anyone can access to determine whether their business is located in such an area.
The application portal opened September 25, 2025 and closed November 14, 2025 at 5:00pm CST.
Applications are currently under review. Selected grantees will be notified by Spring 2026.
If your business is selected, you’ll receive a formal award notification from the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development.
No. The Catalyst Grant application window closed on November 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT.
The following documents were required for the application:
You can verify your business status through the Illinois Secretary of State’s online Business Services Search tool.
Yes, but only one grant will be awarded per business owner.
No. Grant administrators will not begin to review applications until the application portal is closed. Applications received after November 14, 2025 at 5:00pm CST will not be reviewed.
EQUIPMENT
FACILITIES
PEOPLE
No. Grant funds may only be used for expenses incurred after the grant has been disbursed.
Yes. Recipients of a grant award will receive tax information related to their grant proceeds, which will need to be reported on their tax returns. Please consult with a tax professional for additional information.
Recipients must:
Please find a list of The Source’s partners and the services they provide on The Source website linked here. Business Support Organizations (BSOs) provide no-cost business advising and Referral Partners provide marketing and outreach outreach services. A full list of partners can be found below.
Business Support Organizations
Referral Partners
No. We anticipate that demand will exceed the available funding. In total up to 88 grants of $100,000 each will be awarded.
Applicants will be able to share feedback on their application experience by answering a few optional questions at the end of the application. These questions are entirely voluntary and will not impact eligibility or the outcome of the 2025 Catalyst Grant application.
The Source continues to offer no-cost business resources designed to help small businesses grow, scale and sustain long-term success. Connect with an advisor today to identify new opportunities for your business.
Couldn’t apply this time? Watch our library of no-cost, on-demand webinars on topics such as access to capital, marketing and technology.
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