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

THANK YOU- To

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

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)
  • 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 
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  • 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.
•  
  • Tourism Private Sector Grant Program
    • Description: “…provide grants for the purpose of attracting, hosting and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing festivals and events.” 
    • Eligibility includes: 
      • Illinois for-profit entity
      • County;
      • Municipality;
      • Not-for-profit entity;
      • Local promotion groups
    • Award Range: $10,000 - $50,000
    • Deadline: December 20, 2024 at 5:00PM
      • Technical Assistance Webinar: November 26, 2024 at 11am: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m148a3e6d4e9aa575c7ae6af2c9d4fca4
•  
  • Tourism Attraction Grant Program
    • Description: “…provide grants to assist in the development or improvement of tourism attractions that increase the economic impact of tourism throughout the State”
    • Eligibility includes:
      • Units of local government;
      • Counties;
      • Municipalities;
      • Not-for-profit organizations;
      • Local promotion groups; and 
      • For-profit businesses
    • Award Range: $15,000 - $200,000
    • Deadline: December 20, 2024 at 5:00PM
      • Technical Assistance Webinar: November 26, 2024 at 9:00am: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=ma512ab40cbddbffb30e101785e3ca4c7 
• 
  
  • 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. 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: 
      • 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: 
      • Medium CDG: February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm
      • Large CDG: Rolling 
•  
  • City of Chicago – Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
    • Description: “The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides grants up to $250,000 for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors. NOF grants are provided as reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible project expenses with a maximum grant of $250,000. Applicants may qualify for additional funding for Technical Assistance.”
    • Award Range: up to $250,000
    • Deadline: February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm 
•  
  • City of Rockford - 2024 REGROW Grant Program
    • Description: “This is an equity-driving, restorative justice and community reinvestment grant program funded by the City of Rockford's 3% local tax on adult-use cannabis retail sales.” Open to nonprofits and for-profit entities in the City of Rockford. Tier II opens November 12, 2024. 
    • Award Range: $50,000; $100,000
    • Deadline: December 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM
•  
  • Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program
    • Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries: 
      • Dry cleaning facility
      • Auto body or auto repair shop
      • Metal finisher
      • Metal fabricator
      • Food and beverage manufacturer 
    • Award Range: up to $300,000 (please note, “To receive a BRITE grant, small businesses must complete the interest survey by DES or must have had a similar environmental assessment conducted by a DES partner or third party.)
•  
  • 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
• 
  
  • Kane County Manufacturing Grant Program from IMEC 
    • Description: Open to manufacturing businesses located in Kane County 
• 
  
  • Advance McHenry County grant from IMEC
    • Description: Open to manufacturing businesses located in McHenry County 
• 
  
  • 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
•  
  • Diamond Impact Award from Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) 
    • Description: “…now accepting letters of intent for its first-ever 2025 Diamond Impact Awards, which commemorate the team’s 125-year anniversary by awarding $125,000 one-time grants to multiple non-profit organizations that serve our Chicago community.” Must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3, provide services in the Chicagoland area with priority in underserved communities, project must support children and families, etc. Core areas of giving: 
      • Cancer support services
      • Child abuse prevention
      • Health and wellness
      • Youth education
    • Award Range: $125,000
    • Deadline: December 11, 2024 at 5 p.m. (letter of intent due) 
•  
  • KidsGardening – 2025 Youth Garden Grants
    • Description: “Any organization in the United States or US Territories planning a new or improving an existing garden program that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 0 and 18 is eligible to apply.” “Organizations must support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of individuals that are under-resourced (systematically denied resources and opportunities based on race, gender, ethnicity, income level, abilities, geographic location, etc., or currently experiencing hardship such as a natural disaster, etc.).”
    • Award Range: $500
    • Deadline: December 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM PT
•  
  • Support West from Chicago Blackhawks Foundation
    • Description: “The Chicago Blackhawks Foundation is excited to launch the third cycle of the program to continue to support minority owned small businesses on the West Side” “…particularly in Austin, Belmont Cragin, East Garfield Park, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side, Near West Side, North Lawndale, Pilsen, South Lawndale, West Garfield Park or West Town”. Eligibility includes: minority owned businesses in the following industries: Food and Beverage, Art/Entertainment, Health & Wellness, business must 10 or fewer employees, less than $250K in annual revenue, been in business for at least 1 year and be willing to be participate in a mentoring program. 
    • Award Range: $5,000 and mentoring program
    • Deadline: December 13, 2024
•  
  • Verizon Small Business Digital Ready - Grants (verizonwireless.com)
    • Description: In partnership with LISC, this program is open to small businesses nationwide. Business must register with the Digital Ready program and complete 2 courses or events before applying for the grant.
    • Award Range: $10,000
    • Deadline: December 13, 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 
• 
  
  • Arts Work Fund – Think & Explore Grant
    • Title: THINK Grants
    • Description: Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3, that are located and serve Chicago and Cook County, “Arts organizations led by, for, and about black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with operating expenses of $2 million and below and Any arts and culture organization with operating expenses of $800,000 and below.”
    • Deadline: December 15, 2024 at 5:00pm 
• 
  
  • Title: EXPLORE Grants
  • Description: Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3, that are located and serve Chicago and Cook County, “Arts organizations led by, for, and about black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with operating expenses of $2 million and below and Any arts and culture organization with operating expenses of $800,000 and below.”
  • Deadline: December 15, 2024 at 5:00pm 
• 
  
  • VNA Foundation
    • Description: “VNA Foundation awards grants to support nonprofit organizations that provide home- and community-based health services to medically underserved populations in Cook County. Organizations in the surrounding collar counties (Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will) are also eligible for funding, if serving HRSA-designated medically underserved populations in Health Workforce Shortage Areas.”
    • Award Range: $40,000- $80,000
    • Deadline: December 16, 2024 (letter of intent due) by 5:00pm 
• 
  
  • 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. 
• 
  
  • Vanguard Charitable – Philanthropic Impact Fund
    • Title: Philanthropic Impact Fund 
    • Description: Open to nonprofits, 501(c)3. “The Philanthropic Impact Fund (PIF) issues grants that elevate the philanthropic industry. PIF works to help donors make informed granting decisions and educates nonprofits on providing effective and efficient solutions to increase capacity and capability.”
    • Award Range: $30,000 – $50,000
    • Deadline: January 15, 2025
• 
  
  • Title: Sustainable Disaster Relief Fund 
  • Description: “The Sustainable Disaster-Relief Fund (SDRF) was established in 2006 to aid communities hit by natural disasters. This fund supports communities as they rebuild and establish necessary infrastructure to better handle the impact of a repeat disaster.”
  • Award Range: $10,000 - $30,000
  • Deadline: January 15, 2025

Thank you and have a great week!

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Sincerely,

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