Looking to replace your awning or renovate your building? You may be eligible for the BDC’s Finish Line Grant. 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. 

Funding will be calculated as a percentage of the total project cost and will be committed to businesses on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a maximum grant amount of $50,000.00.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be located in the Roosevelt, Depot, or Harlem/Cermak TIF Districts.
• Submit a completed application BEFORE the renovation project starts.

2024 APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 13, 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  

Program Guidelines: BeyGOOD x Cécred Salon Business Grant Program 

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 

Program Guidelines: Verizon Digital Ready Superfans  

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  

Program Guidelines: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3295-2911.html   

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  

Program Guidelines: https://www.transfund.org/our-grants/apply-for-a-grant/

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  

Program Guidelines:  https://womenshealth.leverforchange.org/submit  

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  

Program Guidelines: FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp Program 

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:  

• IL for-profit entity 
• IL Counties 
• IL Municipalities 
• Not-for-profit entities 
• Local promotion groups 

Award Range: $10,000 - $50,000 

Deadline: December 20, 2024, at 5:00PM 

Program Guidelines: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/2167-2932.html  

Technical Assistance Webinar: November 26, 2024 at 11am: https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m148a3e6d4e9aa575c7ae6af2c9d4fca4 

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 

Program Guidelines: https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/small-certified-supplier-innovative-finance-program/  

Verizon Digital Ready Grant 

As part of their goal to support 1 million small businesses by 2030, Verizon has partnered with LISC to provide more than $1M in grant funding to small businesses. A new round is launching, so register for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and apply. 

Who can apply?  

Owners of small businesses. Non-profit business owners are not eligible. Applicants may apply for one business only and must be over the age of 18. 

How to apply? 

Complete two grant-eligible courses or events between July 1, 2024, and December 13, 2024 to unlock the application, then submit the application by 11:59 PM PT on December 13, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. 

Deadline: December 13, 2024 

Program Guidelines: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com

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 

Program Guidelines: HERE

The LeadCare Cook County program is replacing existing lead lines at childcare facilities across Cook County. This initiative ensures safe drinking water for your childcare center. 

For more information and to find out if you are eligible to enroll in this FREE replacement program, visit: leadcareillinois.org/cookcounty/.

BRITE Grants now available!

Examples of projects the BRITE Grant covers include:

 
- Upgrading equipment to newer models to eliminate toxics
- Helping pay for waste reduction trainings 
- Purchasing and installing equipment that conserves energy and water 

Details: www.cookcountyil.gov/BRITE

IL INNOVATION VOUCHERS PROGRAM

The IL Innovation Vouchers Program will provide grants for companies to engage in research projects in partnership with an Illinois institute of higher education. This will facilitate the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment, and ultimately lead to the production of more Illinois-based goods and services and spur economic growth in the state. 

LEARN MORE!