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Latinx Business Colectivo – Funding Opportunities

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Latinx Business Colectivo – Funding Opportunities

Small Business Financial EAC Member Company Local Communities Elgin Area Chamber Business

Here is the weekly update on funding opportunities per the request of the Latinx Business Colectivo – Funding Opportunities working group.

**To help differentiate between resources I have sent previously and ‘new ones’ (resources I haven’t emailed about) I will highlight the new ones in yellow. Hope that helps.**

PLEASE NOTE – Next Monday, is a holiday – Veterans Day. Thank you to all our veterans for your service. I will not be emailing funding opportunities next Monday given the holiday. 

THANK YOU- To

  • Cindy Patino from Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)
  • Vanessa Aguirre from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

 

Thank you, Cindy Patino and Vanessa Aguirre, for sharing resources! If anyone else knows of resources that can be shared with the group, feel free to share those with me.

Funding Opportunities: 

  • DCEO (few highlighted below)


    • Clean Energy Career Pathway Program
      • Description: “The Clean Energy Career Pathway Program will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support the planning and implementation of a Clean Energy Career Pathway. Programs will include coursework, field experiences, and work-based learning designed to prepare students for entrance into careers focusing on clean energy.”
      • Eligibility includes: “Eligible entities for this NOFO are defined as 
        • Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); 
        • Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); 
        • state institutions of higher education; 
        • schools designated as laboratory schools, public university laboratory schools approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); 
        • area vocational centers; 
        • charter schools; 
        • cooperatives and other joint agreements with a governing body or board of control; schools operated by an ROE, ISC, or state agency; and 
        • school districts are eligible to apply”
      • Award Range: $100,000 - $500,000
      • Deadline: November 12, 2024 at 5:00pm
  •  
    • Capitol Complex Construction Interruption Grant Program
      • Description: “…to offer businesses access to funds that will help offset losses due to construction at the capitol complex.” 
      • Eligibility includes: “To qualify for this program, the applicant must:
        • Have fewer than 100 employees
        • Have received an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Back 2 Business NewBiz Grant.
        • Be located immediately adjacent of to the Illinois capitol complex. For purposes of this NOFO, the Illinois capitol complex is the area bound by Monroe St, Second St., Edwards St., and College St. in downtown Springfield.”
      • Award Range: $40,000
      • Deadline: November 29, 2024 at 5:00PM
  •  
    • Illinois Grocery Initiative - New Stores in Food Deserts
      • Description: “The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to improve access to fresh food within food deserts by providing incentives to establish grocery stores.”
      • Eligibility includes: “Eligibility for this program will be constrained by geographic location, characteristics of prospective store ownership, and the intended offerings of the store.” Open to:
        • Units of local government
        • Independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. This includes for-profit and nonprofit entities.
      • Award Range: $150,000 - $2,400,000
      • Deadline: December 2, 2024 at 5:00pm 
  •  
    • IL Energy Transition Navigators Program
      • Description: “The goal is to establish a network of community-based providers across the state of Illinois. These providers will offer community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage eligible individuals to participate in clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.”
      • Eligibility includes: “Eligible applicants are community-based providers.” See NOFO for more information. 
      • Award Range: $200,000 - $500,000
      • Deadline: December 2, 2024 at 5:00pm 
  •  
    • Illinois State Designated Cultural Districts 2025 NODO
      • Description: “The purpose of this Notice of Designation Opportunity (NODO) is to designate an additional five (5) State-Designated Cultural Districts that build on existing strong cultural identities and promote economic development.”
      • Eligibility includes: “Municipalities or 501(c)(3) organizations located in Illinois are eligible to apply to be a State-Designated Cultural District if the applicant:
        • Demonstrates the community seeking certification has been historically impacted and is currently at risk of losing their cultural identity because of gentrification displacement, or the COVID-19 pandemic.
        • Demonstrates a history of economic disinvestment.
        • Demonstrates strong community support for the Cultural District designation through active and formal participation by community organizations and municipal and regional government agencies or officials.
      • Deadline: December 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
  •  
    • Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3054-2878)
      • Description: “…to provide pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors to support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects benefitting businesses, community organizations, and the workforce in Illinois with a specific focus on historically disadvantaged communities. The grant program is designed to help remove barriers to project, community, and business development caused by lack of capital.”
      • Eligibility includes: “Equity Eligible Contractors (EEC) that can provide an Illinois Power Agency EEC certification” or “An Illinois business or nonprofit or cooperative organization that meets the equity building criteria in paragraph (9.5) of subsection (g) of Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act.”
      • Award Range: $250,000 - $1,000,000
      • Deadline: December 31, 2024 at 5:00PM
  •  
    • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.



  • Additional DCEO funding

 

    • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
      • Description: “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs. LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2024, through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.”
      • Deadline: August 15, 2025
  •  
  • Additional State of Illinois

 

  •  
    • Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - Energy Efficiency Assessment Program
      • Description: “The Energy Efficiency Assessment Program provides funding to public housing authorities, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to conduct energy efficiency assessments at properties benefiting residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal program.”
      • Award Range: $5,000 to $25,000
      • Deadline: No specified due date. Note this has been open for a while. 
  •  
    • Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS)
      • Title: FY 2024 Urban Area Nonprofit Security Grant Program National Security Supplemental (NSGP-NSS-UASI)
      • Description: “will provide a total of $105 million nationally to eligible 501(c) (3) organizations who are deemed at high-risk of a potential terrorist attack and are located in one of the FY 2024 UASI-eligible urban areas. The designated urban area for Illinois is Cook County.”
      • Award Range: $200,000 per nonprofit site, nonprofits with multiple sites max is $600,000
      • Deadline: December 18, 2024 at 5:00pm 

 

      • Title: FY 2024 Statewide Nonprofit Security Grant Program National Security Supplemental (NSGP-NSS-S)
      • Description: “will provide a total of $105 million nationally to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations who are deemed at high-risk of a potential terrorist attack located outside of Cook County.”
      • Award Range: $200,000 per nonprofit site, nonprofits with multiple sites max is $600,000
      • Deadline: December 18, 2024 at 5:00pm 
  •  
  • Federal Government

 

    • U.S. Department of Energy BUILT Nonprofits Grant
      • Description: “The Building Upgrades Inspiring Local Transformation (BUILT Nonprofits) funding opportunity will support nonprofit building improvement projects that reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions, and generate short and long-term energy cost saving so that operational dollars can be redirected toward mission-critical work.” “The program requires a 20% cost-share.”
      • Award Range: up to $100k
      • Deadline: November 12, 2024 at 10:59pm central time 
  •  
    • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (Community Chamber Grants)
      • Description: “The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million.”. Here is a link to more info, click HERE. 
      • Award Range: up to $20,000,000
      • Deadline: November 21, 2024 at 10:59 PM
  •  
    • Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program in Illinois from USDA
      • Description: “To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.” Those eligible for the loan are “Businesses located in an eligible area with 10 or fewer full-time employees.”
      • Range: Up to $50,000
      • Deadline: December 31, 2024 at 10:59pm 
  •  
  • Local Governments

 

    • City of Chicago - Community Development Grants (CDG) 
      • Description: 
        • Small CDG: “Small grants…are intended to support eligible commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects”
        • Medium CDG: “Medium grants…are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects”
        • Large CDG: “Large grants…are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects”
      • Award Range: Small CDG – up to $250,000; Medium CDG – between $300,001 - $5 million; Large CDG - $5 million and above
      • Deadline: 
        • Small CDG: November 8, 2024 at 11:59am
        • Medium CDG: February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm
        • Large CDG: Rolling 
  •  
  • in support of the City’s goals for climate resiliency and sustainability. The SUN program provides
  • funding to support programs, services, or small-scale improvement projects that further one or more
  • of the following:
  • Promotes healthy, sustainable, community living
  • Fosters creativity and collaboration to enhance climate resiliency
  • Includes diverse, multi-generational Urbana residents in the process of creating climate related actions and strategies”
  • Open nonprofits or individuals/neighborhood groups with a nonprofit sponsor. 
      • Award Range: “…targeted grant amount is $10,000 per project. The city will accept applications for larger projects on a case-by-case basis.”
      • Deadline: November 4, 2024
  •  
    • Cook County - Digital Equity Impact Small Grant Program
      • Description: “To further advance digital equity action and address gaps through alignment with the Digital Equity Action Plan, the Cook County Office of the President and City Bureau have partnered to co-design, coordinate, and implement activities for the first-ever Cook County Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program that focuses on digital equity and storytelling.” “Nonprofit organizations that serve Suburban Cook County and are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply.”
      • Award Range: There are 2 grant levels: Boost - $7,500 and Empowerment - $15,000
      • Deadline: November 15, 2024
  •  
  •  
    • Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant
      • Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”
      • Award Range: $10,000 - $20,000

 

  • Private/Community Resources 

 

    • Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program
      • Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.
      • Award Range: $5,000

 

 

 

    • Citi Foundation - Community Finance Innovation Fund Request for Ideas (RFI)
      • Description: “The Citi Foundation is committing an additional $25 million to support a new cohort of nonprofit community finance innovators working to advance financial inclusion and financial health in low-income communities across the U.S.” Open nationwide in specific areas. In Illinois, the target areas are Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will counties. 
      • Deadline: November 5, 2024 at 11:00 am

 

    • Request for Proposal (RFP) for Website Design and Development Services (Brookfield Zoo)
      • Description: “Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC) is soliciting proposals from qualified website design and development firms to design, develop, and deploy a new website. The goal of the project is to create a user-friendly, visually engaging, and highly functional website to meet the needs of various stakeholders, including visitors, members, donors, educators, and staff.”
      • Deadline: Wednesday, November 6, 2024

 

 

    • Growing Justice Fund: 2024 Grant Opportunity
      • Description: “Growing Justice Fund is a pooled fund that invests in efforts to solidify the leadership, dignity, and power of Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant people to identify and drive solutions that expand the market for good food from locally- or regionally-owned, and environmentally- and economically-sustainable farms, ranches, fisheries, and food businesses.” Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3, entities “…led by people of color, people from historically disinvested and discriminated communities.”
      • Award Range: 2 grant types: 1) Planning Grants – up to $25,000 and 2) Implementation Grants - $50,000 to $250,000 a
      • Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 7pm (however, it is asked that entities submit complete eligibility survey by November 7, 2024 to complete the application in time)

 

    • eBay Circular Fashion Fund
      • Description: “The eBay Circular Fashion Fund supports innovative businesses that use technology and services to change customer behavior within the fashion industry.” Open nationwide. “Applicants should be trading for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 6 years.”
      • Award Range: “…up to $50K in funding and advance to pitch their business model to eBay's global leadership team. This is an opportunity to be awarded ‘eBay Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year’ and receive an additional investment of up to $300K”
      • Deadline: November 15, 2024

 

    • Not-for-Profit Capacity Building Grant
      • Description: “DuPage Foundation is excited to launch a new grant opportunity to help local not-for-profit organizations strengthen their ability to effectively deliver on their mission now and into the future.” Open to nonprofits (501(c)3) that serve DuPage County residents and haven’t received a grant from the DuPage Foundation’s Community Impact Grant Program in the last 3 years. 
      • Award Range: up to $25,000
      • Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 5:00pm 

 

    • Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF)
      • Description: “CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents.” Open to Illinois artists (“An individual working in arts, crafts, design, dance, digital media, film/video, literature, music, performance, photography, theater, visual arts, folk and traditional arts, or community-based arts”) with active and sustained practice, who are age 21 or older, Illinois resident prior to November 20, 2023, can include a work sample created by them during 2022-2024, can include a work sample created by them during 2021 or prior, and not currently enrolled full-time at a college/university. 
      • Award Range: “This is a $10,000 taxable award”
      • Deadline: November 20, 2024

 

    • BeyGOOD x Cécred Salon Business Grant Program
      • Description: Open to currently licensed barber, hairstylist, or cosmetologist with a minimum of 2 years, operates in one of the following markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New Jersey, demonstrates a need of hardship, lease agreement for floating salon station, or lease agreement for salon or owner of salon, and been in business for at least one year. 
      • Award Range: $10,000
      • Deadline: November 20, 2024

 

    • Verizon Digital Ready Superfans
      • Description: “In partnership with LISC, this program is open to small businesses nationwide. Business must register with the Digital Ready program and complete 5 courses or events before applying for the grant.”
      • Award Range: $25,000 and a trip to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
      • Deadline: November 22, 2024

 

    • International Trans Fund (ITF) - 2 grants open
      • Title: SEED Grant
      • Description: “[ITF] invite applications from trans-led organizations worldwide with annual budgets below $100,000 USD.” 
      • Award Range: $10,000 to $25,000
      • Deadline: December 2, 2024, at 4:00pm 

 

      • Title: THRIVE Grant
      • Description: “Exclusively for trans-led organizations previously funded by the ITF in good standing”
      • Award Range: $25,000 to $50,000
      • Deadline: December 2, 2024, at 4:00pm 

 

    • Action for Women’s Health
      • Description: “Action for Women’s Health is a $250 million global open call launched by Pivotal that will fund organizations around the world that are improving women’s mental and physical health.” Open to nonprofits nationwide focusing on improving women’s mental and physical health. 
      • Award Range: between $1 million and $5 million USD
      • Deadline: December 3, 2024 at 4:00pm 

 

    • Thriving Youth Stronger Communities – Lohengrin Foundation
      • Description: This is a youth and community center capital investment initiative. Open to nonprofits 501(c)3 entities, project sites must be in Chicago. 
      • Award Range: “…awarding one grant, totaling up to $15M, to support our grantee partner throughout the pre-development, construction, and occupancy phases of their project.”
      • Deadline: Letter of Intent – December 6, 2024
  •  

 

    • FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp Program
      • Description: “…12-week digital growth accelerator, where you’ll get access to expert-led sessions, education, mentorship, a peer support network, and so much more.” Open nationwide to small businesses with 25 or less employees, has a revenue of less than $1 million, commitment to the community, etc. 
      • Award Range: “…if you are accepted into the program, you’ll also have the opportunity to receive $10,000 in grant funding! *Acceptance into the Boost Camp does not guarantee funding.”
      • Deadline: December 13, 2024 at 5:00pm 

 

    • Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) Finish Line Grant
      • Description: “This grant program assists businesses and property owners with interior and exterior renovation costs, such as awnings, façade improvements, rodent abatement, and buildouts. If your business or commercial property is located within one of Berwyn’s active TIF Districts, you may be eligible to receive up to 50% reimbursement on your renovation expenses.”
      • Award Range: maximum grant amount $50,000 
      • Deadline: December 13, 2024 

 

    • Chicago Prize from Pritzker Traubert Foundation
      • Description: “…supports real estate development plans on Chicago's South and West sides. These plans must be envisioned by and for the community.” Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits and the project must be focused in Chicago’s South and/or West side. 
      • Award Range: $10 million grant
      • Deadline: December 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 


Thank you and have a great week!

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Sincerely,


Diana


Diana Alfaro (she/her)

Latinx Business Development Manager

Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3), formally OMEE

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Cell: 312-919-3620 Email: diana.alfaro@illinois.gov

Website: www.illinois.gov/dceo

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