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
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The STTR program encourages scientific research that helps meet federal research and development objectives, with high potential for commercialization.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
The SBIR program encourages scientific research that helps meet federal research and development objectives, with high potential for commercialization.
Yégo Action Grant
Provides up to $2,500 in quick-response funding for Native artists and culture bearers who need support to sustain their creative endeavors due to emergencies or unanticipated expenses.
Yéego Action Grant
The Yéego Action Grant provides quick-response funding for Native artists and culture bearers who need support to sustain their creative endeavors due to emergencies or unanticipated expenses.
U.S. National Institutes of Health Grants
The NIH is currently funding grant opportunities related to COVID-19 research.
Breva Thrive Grant
The Breva Thrive Grant awards $5,000 each quarter to small business owners who are making a measurable difference in their local communities.
2026 Pride Fund for LGBTQIA+ Business Owners
The 2026 Pride Fund for LGBTQIA+ Business Owners provides $1,000 microgrants to 20 LGBTQIA+-owned small businesses across the U.S.
Hey Helen Grant
The Hey Helen Grant offers $10,000 in unrestricted funding to support women and nonbinary entrepreneurs building mission-driven, for-profit businesses in the U.S.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The WOTC is a federal tax credit that encourages companies to hire employees from groups who have historically faced significant barriers to gainful employment.
Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The National Institutes of Health is accepting applications for grants to support cancer intervention and surveillance modeling.
NEA Grants for Arts Projects 1, FY 2027
The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for grants to support arts projects.
Limited Competition: Competing Revisions to Support Clinical Trials in Somatic Cell Genome Editing (U19 Clinical Trial Required)
The National Institutes of Health is accepting applications for grants to support clinical trials in somatic cell genome editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Illinois