General

What is the Cook County Small Business 2023 Source Grant (“The 2023 Source Grant”)?
What is the source of the $40 million for grants?
What organizations are part of the Cook County Small Business Source & 2023 Source Grant?
How much funding is available?
When can I apply for The 2023 Source Grant?
When should grant recipients expect to be notified of their grant award?

Eligibility

How are full time employees defined?
Who is eligible and can apply for The 2023 Source Grant?
How is “small business” being defined?
How is “COVID-impacted” industries being defined?
How is “Hospitality, Food, & Tourism” being defined?
How is “Childcare & Social Assistance” defined?
How is “Arts & Entertainment” defined?
How is “Retail Trade” defined?
How is “Transportation & Warehousing” defined?
How is “Negatively Impacted” being defined?
What types of businesses are ineligible?
What does it mean when it says we are prioritizing businesses in hard hit sectors?
What entities are NOT eligible?

Application Process

How do I apply?
If I submitted a 2022 Grow Grant application do I need to reapply?
What documentation is required for The 2023 Source Grant application?
Will all eligible applicants receive grant dollars?
What does it mean when it says you are prioritizing businesses in suburban Cook County?
How much money is available for businesses owned by veterans?
If I own more than one business, can I apply for a grant for each of them?
What should I do if my business was located in Cook County in 2019 but has moved out of Cook County since then?
What should I do if my business address has changed since 2019?
What if I have not filed my 2022 tax returns?
Can I link my personal bank account?
Can for-profit businesses owned by a non-profit organization apply?
Can I apply without sharing my immigration status?

Post Application Period

If an application is incomplete, will the applicant be given the opportunity to re-submit their application?
Are grant proceeds taxed?
I did not receive a grant, can I find out why?
Why was there an increase in grant funding?
How did Cook County select the grant award recipients?
I have not heard anything about my grant status, who do I contact?
My application was not selected for funding. Is there any chance I may receive a grant as part of the program at a later date?
Will there be a grant program in 2024?
Do I have to pay taxes on the grant award?
When will I receive the money?
How will I receive my award?
What if my mailing address has changed since I submitted my application?
What if my bank account information is no longer valid?
May I provide my new bank routing number and account number to receive the grant electronically?
Why was there an increase in grant funding?

Use Of Grant Funds

How may grant funds be used?

What is the Cook County Small Business 2023 Source Grant (“The 2023 Source Grant”)?

Created on July 18, 2023

The Cook County Small Business Source proudly introduces The 2023 Source Grant, which will provide $40 million in grants to small businesses coupled with no-cost advising and coaching services, to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in a post-pandemic economy. 

Businesses located in Cook County with fewer than 20 full-time employees that were in business prior to 2020 are eligible to apply. The program will prioritize businesses:

  • Located in suburban Cook County
  • Businesses negatively impacted by COVID in sectors hardest hit by COVID including Arts & Entertainment; Childcare & Social Assistance; Hospitality, Food & Tourism; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing.
  • $500,000 dedicated to Veteran-owned small businesses. 


The 2023 Source Grant program will offer two types of grants based on 2019 gross revenue:

  • Businesses with 2019 gross revenue between $20k-$50k are eligible to receive $10,000 grants.
  • Businesses with 2019 gross revenue of more than $50k are eligible to receive $20,000 grants.

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