Find up to date information on grant and loan opportunities available to your small business. See an opportunity you’re interested in? Connect with a business advisor to help you fill out a correct and competitive application.
Access to Capital
Previous Webinar Recordings
is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum
Learn More- Grants
- Loans
DPD periodically accepts applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects. City staff prioritizes projects in areas of Chicago with a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.
Chicago Department of Planning and Development Community Development Grants
The We Rise Together grant will provide operating grants of up to $12,500 to eligible businesses that wish to expand into a physical storefront.
SBAC We Rise Together Grant for Business Expansions
Looking to replace your awning or renovate your building? You may be eligible for the BDC’s Finish Line Grant. This grant program assists businesses and property owners with interior and exterior renovation costs, such as awnings, façade improvements, rodent abatement, and buildouts.
Berwyn Development Corporation Finish Line Grant for interior and exterior renovations
Are you a licensed child care provider located in suburban Cook County? LeadCare Cook County supports a safe and healthy learning environment for children by offering free lead service line replacement. When you enroll in LeadCare Cook County, you pay nothing to have a licensed plumber replace your line. Their services also help your business comply with lead testing and mitigation requirements set by the Department of Children and Family Services. LEARN MORE
LeadCare Cook County Environmental Health Grant for Childcare Providers
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city. Offered by the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide. Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30% and 90% of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Grant for Building Repairs and Enhancements
If your business is a woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) or a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), Bank of America invites you to participate in its new Down Payment Program. This program provides a grant of up to 50% of the required down payment on SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans for owner-occupied commercial real estate in Opportunity Zones within your city. The grant itself, which is not to exceed $25,000, does not have to be repaid. To learn more about this program, schedule an appointment with a Bank of America representative.
Bank of America Small Business Down Payment Assistance Grant Program for SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 Loans
Are you a community developer or property owner looking to strengthen the local community through an improvement project? The Chicago Recovery Grant will assist with funding for pre-development, construction, or renovation costs for permanent capital improvement initiatives.
Chicago Recovery Plan Community Development Grant for Local Improvement Projects: Pre-development, Construction, and Renovation Initiatives
The Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) has established the Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program. This free program helps businesses reduce their environmental impact, create a healthier environment for their employees, customers and community by offering on-site assessments to reduce pollution. Once an assessment has been completed, select businesses will be offered the opportunity to apply for grant funding.
BRITE (Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment) Environmental Impact Reduction Grant Program for Select Industries: Dry Cleaning, Auto Services, Metal Finishing, and Food & Beverage
Advantage Illinois’ Loan Guarantee Program supports business applicants who are having difficulty gaining access to capital by using funds to guarantee a percentage of loans provided by partner lenders. Advantage Illinois accelerates investments and eases the credit crunch for small businesses, thanks to more than $78 million from the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Find a list of participating lenders, FAQs and more below.
Advantage Illinois’ Loan Guarantee Program SSBCI 2.0 Small Business Growth Program for Illinois Entrepreneurs
Wintrust’s Small Business Administration (SBA) loans provide three primary lending options: the SBA Express Program, SBA 7 Loans, and SBA 504 Loans. The award-winning team of SBA lending specialists is dedicated to helping you through the process of finding the right financing option for your business
Wintrust SBA Loans
SomerCor is a non-profit, small business lender that offers SBA 504 and SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans, and they administer the City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants.
SomerCor: Bridging Financing Gaps for Small Businesses in Illinois
Northwest Community Credit Union provides a small business lending program consisting of four product suites: Lines of Credit, Vehicle Loans, Credit Cards, and Term Loans. Any business with 2 to 50 employees that’s been operating for at least 2 years is able to apply.
Small Business Lending at Northwest Community Credit Union: Tailored Loans for Local Businesses
Connect2Capital is an online lending platform that gives small businesses a safe, smart alternative to for-profit online lenders with high interest rates. SDA’s network of mission-driven nonprofit lender partners offer small business loans for working capital and equipment needs from $5,000 to $100,000 and up.
Connect2Capital by Southland Development Authority (SDA): Loans for Working Capital, Equipment, and More
Was your business impacted by severe storms and flooding occurring between June 29 to July 2, 2023? Cook County small businesses located within a declared disaster area may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Learn more about available disaster loans and requirements by following the link below.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance: Financial Aid for Storm-Impacted Businesses
Access a comprehensive list of federal, state, and private small business grants and resources for finding more.
Nerdwallet Small Business Grants: Funding Resources for Startups and Existing Businesses
Kiva is a non-profit that expands access to capital for entrepreneurs around the world. Kiva provides loans of up to $15,000 at 0% interest. Additionally, you have the opportunity to market your product to Kiva’s community of 1.6 million supportive lenders.
Kiva Capital Opportunities: Loans Up to $15,000 at 0% Interest
Hello Alice’s Small Business Financing Marketplace powered by Lendflow, connects you to more than 90+ lenders and other financing companies for loans. By filling out one form, you gain access to fast access funding opportunities, inclusive credit opportunities, and much more.
Hello Alice Small Business Financing Marketplace: Simplified Access to 90+ Lenders
Greenwood Archer Capital (GAC) formerly Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives MicroFinance Group is a non for profit 501c(3) Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) organization founded in 2012 to supply micro and small business loans catalyzing small business development throughout the metropolitan Chicago area and its adjacent suburbs and greater Cook county Illinois. GAC’s suite of products are offered with the intention and purpose to level the playing field for Black and other underserved small businesses.
Greenwood Archer Capital: Microenterprise and Small Business Loan Programs for Underserved Businesses
There is an Equity Capital Gap for Black, low-to-moderate income, and other diverse entrepreneurs. Funded through The PNC Foundation, the Community Micro Equity Fund is a collaboration between Greenwood Archer Capital and Sunshine Enterprises that aims to fill this gap by providing equity to leverage debt or to offer equity when debt is not a viable option. The program will create an ecosystem of support which will include business education, working capital, credit repair coaching, incubation and access to co-working space, patient mezzanine equity and strategic, ongoing mentoring.
Community Micro Equity Fund: Equity Support for Diverse Entrepreneurs
As a preferred SBA (Small Business Administration) lender, BMO can process your government small business loan so you can get back to business. They ensure longer terms and amortizations, no balloon payments, and lower down payments. Explore their variety of SBA loan programs to support your business needs.
BMO Harris SBA Loans: Government Small Business Loan Support
Apply for reliable and flexible loans ranging from $500 to $100,000, that do not use credit scores and do not put liens on personal assets. Applicants are evaluated based on how well they have managed their debts over the past two years and how much cash they have available to make monthly loan payments. View loan opportunities provided by Allies for Community Business below.
Allies for Community Business Loan Opportunities: Flexible Loans from $500 to $100,000
