Programs Category: Grants

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.