Illinois Small Business Grants & Funding Programs
Illinois supports small businesses through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Intersect Illinois, and numerous local programs. Chicago and other major cities offer additional grant opportunities for entrepreneurs.
DCEO Programs
The Illinois DCEO offers various grant programs including the Advantage Illinois program, Small Business Development Loan program, and industry-specific incentives for manufacturing and technology companies.
Chicago Business Grants
Chicago offers numerous small business programs including the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, and various TIF district incentives for qualifying businesses.
Regional Programs
Illinois regions outside Chicago have their own economic development programs. Intersect Illinois can connect businesses with regional grants, tax incentives, and workforce training funds.
Illinois Business Grants
154 grants found
Manufacturing Training Academies
Capital grants provided through this opportunity will support the creation of Manufacturing Training Academies located at community colleges in the state.
Clean Energy Contractor Incubator
The CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program helps equity-eligible small businesses gain the tools and support they need to enter and succeed in Illinois’ clean energy economy.
Bioprocessing Research Infrastructure Program (Round 2)
The Bioprocessing Research Infrastructure Program seeks to promote bioprocessing in Illinois by providing assistance with the infrastructure and capital equipment necessary to expand training and research capacity in the state.
SBIR/STTR Match Program
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are competitive federal grant programs that provide funding opportunities for small businesses to perform research and development (R&D) on technology of interest to federal agencies.
Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
Tax credit program for historic preservation projects
EDGE Agreements
Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit program
Illinois Infrastructure Grants
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) offers capital grants to support various projects that benefit local communities and businesses.
CDBG Disaster Response Program
This program is designed for communities experiencing an imminent and urgent threat to public health and safety as indicated by a disaster declaration by the Governor of the State of Illinois.
Illinois Reproductive Grant Expansion Program
Illinois Reproductive Grant Extension Program will provide grants for pregnancy centers which include organizations or facilities that has health care employees, volunteers, or agents who are licensed health care professionals.
Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program
The program provides federal funding for community-based projects.
Federal Grant Support Program - Round 2
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO)’s Federal Grant Support Program will make $16.9 million available to Illinois-based proposals seeking competitive federal grants.
Small Business Development Centers
The Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located throughout the state provide information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Illinois