Weekly Update Funding Opportunities (8/11/2025)

Hello everyone!

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.**

THANK YOU- To

• Ken Barber from Adelante Center for Entrepreneurship
• Letty Velez from IC U Latinas & IC Clean Energy, 
• Cindy Patino from Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA),
• Those who have previously sent resources that are still listed given they are not expired. 

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. To ensure equitable pathways for students, this funding opportunity seeks qualified, eligible entities working with secondary school students in partnership with Local Workforce Innovation Areas and institutions of higher education. This program will recruit students into clean energy fields (with a priority for EV occupations) and create pathways encompassing technical and employability skills with dual credit options.” 
  • 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 eligible applicants include, but are not limited to industry associations, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; or Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in the federal Indian Self[1]Determination and Education Assistance Act). Entities that are approved shall be responsible for ensuring that they have facilities available and educators who are appropriately trained on use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Collaborative applications will be accepted. Eligible Applicants must partner with a Community College, a Local Workforce Innovation Area, and employers to pilot clean the energy pathway programs.”
  • Award Range: $250,000 - $750,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025 (extended)
•  
  • Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2) (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3295-2956)
    • Description: “The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.” “DCEO has contracted with Chicago State University (CSU) and Western Illinois University (WIU) to provide technical assistance services for Illinois Grocery Initiative applicants and grantees.” (page 1-2 of NOFO). There is a matching component please read the NOFO. 
    • Eligibility includes:
      • “Grants will be limited to projects making energy-efficient investments in existing bricks[1]and-mortar operations in Illinois. 
      • This grant opportunity will be limited to independently-owned grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than 4 grocery stores. 
      • Grocery locations must be consistent with the following to be eligible:
        • The store is or will be classified as a supermarket or other grocery retailer in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System under code 445110, a meat retailer under code 44524, a fruit and vegetable retailer under code 44523, or a fish and seafood retailer under 44525. 
        • The store cannot derive more than 30% of its revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales.
        • The store must accept or will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children benefits.
        • The store must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in the community by selling fresh foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables that have not been processed in any manner”
    • Award Range: $25,000 - $250,000
    • Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis) 
• 
  
  • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.

• Additional DCEO (Loan opportunity) 
  • Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program Round 3
    • Description: “Loans will be provided to qualified, licensed social equity craft growers, infusers, transporters, and adult-use dispensing organizations.” “Interest Rates are 4% after an 18-month grace period of no required payments and 0% interest; applicants can also pursue forgiveness prior to any interest accruing. The loan principal is 100% forgivable upon providing documentation for eligible business expenses.”
    • Loan Range: 
      • “Craft Growers: up to $750,000
      • Infusers: up to $245,000
      • Adult-Use Dispensing Organizations: up to $245,000
      • Transporters: up to $50,000”
    • Deadline: September 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Late submissions will not be reviewed or accepted
•  
• Additional State of Illinois

• Illinois Arts Council – Creative Projects Grant
  • Description: “…support art projects for Illinois artists, eligible not-for-profit organizations [501(c)3], municipal entities, or colleges and universities. CPG projects must include a public release or presentation of the work accomplished during the grant period.” Open statewide to eligible entities. 
  • Award Range: up to $12,000
  • Deadline: open until funds are expended 
•  
  • Capital Development Board
    • Title: Illinois Central College Library and Administration Building
    • Description: “The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Illinois Central College Library and Administration Building in East Peoria, Illinois.” 
    • Deadline: September 12, 2025 at 3:00pm

• Illinois Treasurer - Charitable Trust Grant
  • Description: “Charitable Trust is intended to help small non-profits with annual budgets of $1 million or less and a full-time employee.” Open statewide to eligible nonprofits. This cycle “…will award grants to organizations in two categories: Food and Housing.”
  • Award Range: up to $20,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025 
•  
• Local Governments

• City of Aurora - One Aurora Neighborhood Empowerment Grant Program
  • Description: “This program provides one-time funding to assist residents with reimbursement for projects such as paint, window, and door screen repair, siding repairs, general landscaping, fencing improvements, and small repairs that affect the exterior presentation of the home.”
  • Award Range: up to $1,000
  • Deadline: “…on a rolling basis until funds are depleted through December 31, 2025”
•  
  • City of Chicago – DCASE Arts Relief Fund Program
    • Description: “The DCASE Arts Relief Fund supports arts and culture organizations impacted by these cuts and losses. The fund delivers responsive aid for impacted organizations who provide vital programs and resources to Chicago’s communities. These grants are one-time only and meant to replace income and opportunities lost through terminated or withdrawn federal funding. DCASE will prioritize organizations awarded grants through the National Endowment of the Arts but may also consider arts-related funding losses from the National Endowment of Humanities (NEH), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), or other agencies impacted.”
    • Award Range: $10,000 - $25,000
    • Deadline: August 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. CT
•  
  • City of Chicago - Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) 
    • Description: “provides capital development grants”. There are three different grants, small, medium, and large.
    • Award Range: small up to $250,000, medium from $300,001 to $5 million and large exceeding $5 million
    • Deadline: August 15, 2025
•  
  • City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund 
    • Description: “promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.”
    • Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties 
    • Deadline varies
•  
  • 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 

• Obama Foundation - OPC Janitorial & Maintenance Supplies, Equipment, and Materials Invitation for Bid
  • Description: “The Obama Foundation is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to solicit competitive bids from qualified vendors to supply cleaning supplies, paper products, and custodial equipment, with associated support services, for the Custodial Services operations at the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) campus, located in Jackson Park, Chicago. More information will be provided upon execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).”

• 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

• National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) from Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
  • Description: “The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.” Organizations must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor. 
  • Award Range: up to $30,000 per year

• The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation
  • Description: “Affirm Cares funds 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who seek to make a positive impact in one or more of our core three pillars; financial literacy & inclusion, technology education & training, and vibrant communities.”
  • Award Range: $1,000 to $10,000
  • Deadline: rolling until funds are exhausted

• The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Emergency Grants 
  • Description: “The Community Foundation for McHenry County is committed to enhancing county services and expanding financial support to local non-profits.” “The Emergency Grant program supports nonprofits facing unexpected expenses that significantly impact their ability to fulfill their mission or deliver services. This grant is intended to help organizations address unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergencies.” 
  • Award Range: unknown
  • Deadline: “This grant operates on a rolling application cycle”

• Finish Line Grant 
  • Description: “The Finish Line Grant Program (“FLG Program”) is designed to support local businesses throughout the City of Aurora (“City”) by providing property owners and tenants with financial assistance for labor, materials and equipment for new or existing commercial or mixed-use properties (“Project”). The goal of the FLG Program is to foster economic growth, boost the local economy, and improve the community.”
  • Award Range: up to $50,000 or $75,000 for restaurants
  • Deadline: rolling until funds are exhausted 
•  
  • Hivers & Strivers Capital (Angel Investor) 
    • Description: “We invest exclusively in profound companies led by U.S. military veterans.” You can pitch your ideas to them for investment. 
•  
  • Intuit Quickbooks & Mailchimp: Small Business Hero Program
    • Description: “Celebrate a small business in your community. Nominate a small business who has shown courage, perseverance and integrity…”. Open nationwide to entities (for profit business or nonprofit – 501(c)3) who have been established for at least one year. 
    • Award Range: $20,000
    • Deadline: August 14, 2025 at 10:59pm 

• General Operating Grants
  • Description: “These grants support organizations that are firmly rooted in the humanities. From cultural and ethnic organizations to museums, libraries, and consortiums, these organizations broaden possibilities and increase access to the public humanities. These unrestricted funds empower growth and sustainability by providing recipients with more flexibility and freedom to allocate resources wherever they need them most.” Eligibility including being a humanities based organization, nonprofit, based in Illinois, have an annual budget of $250,000 or less, etc. 
  • Award Range: up to $10,000
  • Deadline: August 15, 2025

• 2025 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program 
  • Description: “…looking for small business owners who demonstrate their commitment to the advancement of women and can share how their business will further grow if they receive funding through the Grant Program.” Open to businesses in certain states including Illinois, with an annual revenue of $5 million or less, been in operation for at least 2 years, etc. 
  • Award Range: $10,000
  • Deadline: August 19, 2025 at 7pm 

• Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative
  • Description: “Game On-Community Places to Play is an initiative of The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC. The initiative provides funding and technical assistance to community-rooted organizations working to create and renovate multi-use sports facilities for youth ages 6-24 years old in low-to-moderate income communities.” “Non-profit community-based organizations leading renovation projects are eligible to apply.” Open to Chicago, IL and other select cities across the country. 
  • Award Range: $50,000-$100,000 and will require 1:1 match funding
  • Deadline: August 29, 2025

• Hey Helen Grant 
  • Description: “This grant is open to businesses that are 100% women-owned, generate between $25K–$1M in annual revenue, and are legally registered in the United States. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth or who feel aligned with the intent of the grant are also welcome to apply.”
  • Award Range: $5,000
  • Deadline: August 29, 2025 at 4pm

• Seeding the Future Grants – Cycle 3
  • Description: “Seeding the Future Grants are general operating funds awarded for one year to organizations with proposals that align with Deaconess’ intended impact. Funding supports organizational and civic infrastructure expansion, advancement of public policies, and/or efforts impacting systems transformation through an intergenerational approach for the improved health and wellness of people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.”
  • Award Range: $20,000
  • Deadline: August 29, 2025

• Impact Grants – Nonprofit Grant
  • Description: “All registered nonprofit organizations in Canada and the USA are encouraged to apply for an IMPACT Grant. In the USA, your organization should hold a 501c3 status, while in Canada, it must be a registered charity recognized by the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). We are excited to support your mission-driven initiatives that aim to create a lasting IMPACT.”
  • Award Range: $1,000
  • Deadline: August 30, 2025

• Pillars of Giving
  • Description: “Eligible organizations [501(c)3 nonprofits] that support one of the five pillar focus areas and whose programs benefit those within Nicor Gas’ service area are encouraged to apply for a pillar grant.” This cycle focuses on Basic Human Needs 
    • “Our Basic Human Needs pillar is focused on services where there is a critical or acute need to solve problems immediately. Organizations funded under this pillar include those that provide food, shelter, clothing and disaster relief.”
  • Award Range: up to $5,000
  • Deadline: August 31, 2025

• Sponsorships – The Chicago Community Trust
  • Description: “This funding opportunity provides sponsorship support for programming events, such as meetings, panels, forums, and conferences.” “To be considered for funding, an event must be produced by an eligible organization that is located in the Chicago region. Eligible organization types include: 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, and organizations that have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.”
  • Award Range: up to $10,000
  • Deadline: September 3, 2025 (opens August 5, 2025)

• The Good Food Purchasing Initiative of Metro Chicago (GFPI) Community Fund Overview
  • Description: “To increase access to Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP)-aligned produce and/or food products in the Metro Chicago region through providing both financial & technical support for systemically marginalized*, local* farms and food businesses who are working on increasing local sourcing, sustainable practices, fair labor, animal welfare, and nutrition.” “Eligible Applicants:
    • “Farmers & Food Businesses: Systemically marginalized, local farmers & Food Business (local food processors, distributors, and aggregators) who adhere and/or strive towards GFPP values.
      • Desire to supply/sell to community meal sites, public meal programs and/or institutions.
      • Desire to Collaborate with other mission-aligned farms/food businesses in the Metro Chicago food system to advance the GFPP values.
      • Serves Suburban Cook County and/or the City Chicago.
      • Based in the state of IL and/or within 250 mi of Chicago (500 mi for meat, poultry, & seafood).
      • Legal entity: Privately, cooperatively, or non-profit owned and operated.”
  • Award Range: $40,000 - $80,000
  • Deadline: September 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT

• DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
  • Description: Open nationwide to for-profit businesses: “ small business that is a restaurant, flower shop, liquor store, convenience store, pet store, or local grocery store, with a brick & mortar location that has experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a natural disaster, severe weather event, or major infrastructure failure, which occurred within the last 12 months declared by state, tribal, or federal government.” “ Own a maximum of three locations, and employ fewer than 50 employees per location; Have been open for at least six months; Have revenues of $3M or less per location in 2024 and be independently-owned”
  • Award Range: $5,000 - $15,000
  • Deadline: September 29, 2025 at 5:00pm 

• Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program
  • Description: “LISC and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching a fifth round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which funds nonprofit community organizations that connect youth to mentorship, education, career development, and health services.” “Grants to support current youth programming, create new programming or extend existing programming. These grants will range from $25,000 to $75,000 over one year.” “Grants to support capital improvement projects that enhance the impact of youth programming. These grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000 over one year.” Open to certain cities including Chicago, IL (note, “counties within 20 miles of the listed target market cities can be considered for funding”) and must be a nonprofit – 501(c)3 that meets the eligibility. 
  • Award Range: $25,000 - $75,000 or $25,000 - $100,000
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025

• AT&T Small Business Contest
  • Description: Open nationwide to small business owners who have 50 employees or less. See their webpage for full details.
  • Award Range: $5,000 or $50,000 plus “One full year of AT&T service with a brand new device”, etc.
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Faire Small Business Grant Program 2025
  • Description: “…small business grant program gives select new stores $5,000 to use on Faire to stock their shelves with amazing products.” “The grant is open to independent retail stores who are based in the US, and started their business in the last year, or plan to open this year.” Summer cycle is now open
  • Award Range: $5,000 credit
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Midland States Bank Foundation – Fall Cycle 
  • Description: “Midland States Bank is committed to supporting the communities we serve.” Open to 501(c)3 nonprofits, in Midland geographic area, and “Be aligned with the goals and focus of Midland States Bank: Education, Work Force Development, Financial Empowerment, Housing, Small Business Development, and Health & Wellness”. 
  • Award Range: $7,500 - $25,000 
  • Deadline: September 30, 2025 

• Spark Good Local Grants
  • Description: “Walmart believes that investing in local communities strengthens our business as well as the communities we serve. Local grants are designed to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where we operate, build pride among all associates, and deepen relationships with our customers.” Open nationwide to 501(c)(3) public charity, Government entity (non-501(c)(3)), school, and Church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large. 
  • Award Range: $250 to $5,000
  • Deadline: October 15, 2025

• The Community Foundation for McHenry County – Transformational Grants
  • Description: “Transformational Grants aim to fund significant, high-impact projects that bring about lasting positive change in our community.” “Transformational Grants require the involvement of one or more nonprofit organizations that are equally committed to a project benefiting residents of McHenry County. The project must address a recognized community need and include a strategy for sustaining its impact throughout the grant period.”
  • Award Range: “…$150,000, distributed over two years at $75,000 per year.”
  • Deadline: October 15, 2025 (opens August 15, 2025)

Sincerely,

Diana

Diana Alfaro (she/her)

Latinx Business Development Manager

Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3)

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Phone: 312-919-3620

diana.alfaro@illinois.gov

https://dceo.illinois.gov/

Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (illinois.gov)

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