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
107 grants found
EDGE Agreements
Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit program
Cultivate Small Business
Santander's Cultivate Small Business program is a free, 12-week virtual training initiative designed to support early-stage food entrepreneurs, with a focus on underserved founders in low- to moderate-income communities.
Skip's $10,000 2026 Kickoff Grants
The Skip's $10,000 2026 Kickoff Grants offer funding to support U.S.-based entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant
Provides up to $5,000 in funding to artists experiencing recent, unexpected medical, dental, or mental health emergencies.
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.
Zoom Solopreneur 50
A national recognition program supporting independent entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of work.
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.
Intuit QuickBooks x Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program
The Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program awards $20,000 grants to U.S. small businesses with owners aged 18 or older that show courage, perseverance, and integrity.
Enhancing Reuse of NHGRI Data Assets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The National Institutes of Health is accepting applications for grants to support the reuse of data assets.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS
The Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command is accepting applications for requests for information to support innovation ecosystems.
Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination
The U.S. National Science Foundation is accepting applications for grants to support ocean technology and interdisciplinary coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about business grants in Illinois