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
Research and Development Grants
Fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.
Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program
This is a one-year funding opportunity for organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR (innovation)/STTR (research and development) proposals; increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards; and better prepare SBIR/STTR awardees for commercial success.
Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneur Training Program (VFPETP)
This funding opportunity is for current Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneur Training Program (VFPETP) recipient organizations only, with an initial 12-month period and two option years of 12 months each.
Capital Readiness Program
Technical assistance to support growth and scalability of minority and underserved entrepreneurs.
Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA)
The RNTA program funds research, evaluation, and national technical assistance projects that promote competitiveness and innovation in distressed rural and urban regions throughout the United States and its territories.
Build to Scale (B2S)
The Build to Scale (B2S) Program builds regional economies through scalable startups and includes three competitions supporting entrepreneurship, acceleration of company growth, and increased access to risk capital across regional economies.
Recompete Pilot Program
Provides flexible grant investments to alleviate persistent economic distress and support long-term, comprehensive economic development and job creation.
Good Jobs Challenge
The Good Jobs Challenge is a workforce program that aims to accelerate local economic growth and rebuild regional economies so they are more resilient to future challenges, while placing American workers into jobs.
Build to Scale Program
The Build to Scale Program provides funding to support entrepreneurship and innovation
Grants for community organizations
Grants for community organizations that support small businesses
Manufacturing grants
Grants for small manufacturers to help them grow and expand
Grants for Community Organizations
SBA offers grants to community organizations that promote entrepreneurship, including those that support veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Illinois