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From the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: Funding Opportunities:

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From the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: Funding Opportunities:

Small Business Financial Career & Education Technology Health & Lifestyle Economic Development Community

Frmo the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity:

Funding Opportunities: 

  • DCEO (few highlighted below)


    • Tourism Incentive Grant Program 
      • Eligibility includes:
        • Unit of local government
        • Local promotion group,
        • Not-for-profit organization;
        • For-profit organization;
        • Convention center authority
      • Award Range: $50,000 - $5,000,000
      • Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 5:00PM


    • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website. Please note there are several due June 2024 that I didn’t list in case you want to go to our website and review those now.


    • Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program - Direct Forgivable Loan
      • Eligibility: Current round of the Cannabis Social Equity Direct Forgivable Loan Program is only open for social equity Adult-Use Dispensing organizations who were issued a Conditional Adult-Use Dispensary License (284.XXXXX-CL) or Adult-Use Dispensary License (284.XXXXXX-AUDO) prior to calendar year 2023 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR
      • Loan Range: approximately 40‐50 loans with a principal amount of up to $240,000
      • Deadline: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m

    • Illinois Works Bid Credit Program
      • Eligibility: “Contractors or subcontractors that employ apprentices that have completed the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program on any project (stated or privately funded) are eligible to earn bid credits they can use to make their bids for future state-funded public works projects more competitive.”
      • Bid Credit Range: varies, here is more info on bid credits


  • Additional State of Illinois Entities


    • Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Notice of Funding Opportunity Service Delivery NOFO # 2378-030124
      • Eligibility: “A single organization applicant must be an organization certified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a local unit of government, a faith-based organization determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS, a local business, or a community or neighborhood organization that does not have 501(c)(3) status” See the NOFO for more criteria, pages 23-25.
      • Award Range: Based on Applicant Tier and Funding Region, see NOFO for more info
      • Deadline: April 30, 2024 by 2:00p.m. 

  • Local Governments

 

    • Good Food Fund
      • Eligibility: Food and beverage businesses in Chicago
      • Award Range: $10,000 - $100,000
      • Deadline: April 12, 2024 (this is the deadline to complete the expression interest form)

 

  • Private/Community Resources 

 

    • Dannon Light + Fit x FFC Grant Program
      • Description: Founder of a business that is at least 51% women owned, been in business for at least 2 years. See their webpage for a complete list of criteria. 
      • Award Range: $10,000 grant
      • Deadline: April 4, 2024 at 11:59pm PST

 

 

    • Backing Small Businesses presented by American Express
      • Description: “grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach”. Please be sure to read their entire eligibility. 
      • Deadline: April 7, 2024 by 11:59 pm CT; however the portal will close once they receive 5,000 applications even if that is before April 7th 
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    • A Road Together (ART)
      • Description: “the Field Foundation, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, launched A Road Together (ART), a new grantmaking program designed specifically for small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations with annual operating budgets up to $1 million and with a strong commitment to equity that are reflective and inclusive of Chicago’s diverse and historically underserved communities.”
      • Portal Opens: Monday, April 15, 2024

 

    • Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
      • Eligibility: Open to Mother owned businesses across the country, with employees between 2-100, and business annual revenue does not exceed $5M
      • Award Range: $1,000 micro grants
      • Deadline: April 16, 2024


    • Whole Foods Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP)
      • Description: Small businesses not already working with Whole Foods. It is a six month program. “Participants benefit from the mentorship of Whole Foods Market experts, tailored educational programs and the potential for direct financial support.”
      • Deadline: April 19, 2024

 

    • Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP)
      • Eligibility: “grants to community-based and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to fund the development of programs connecting volunteer financial planners to individuals and families in crisis or need”
      • Award Range: $5,000 – $40,000
      • Deadline: April 30, 2024

    • Cadence Cash Thrive Grant
      • Eligibility: Open nationwide to businesses that generate at least $35,000 annually in revenue and business has an impact in the community. 
      • Award Range: $5,000 grant
      • Deadline: April 30, 2024
  •  
    • PepsiCo: Greenhouse Accelerator Program Juntos Crecemos
      • Eligibility: Open nationwide, “…a five-month, mentor-guided program to support the acceleration of emerging Hispanic food and beverages innovations that are transforming the way consumers live their lives”
      • Award Range: Finalists will receive $20,000 and winner will receive $100,000
      • Deadline: May 6, 2024
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