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.

2025 APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 12, 2025.

Cook County Creative Placemaking Grant

Description: Cook County Arts is launching the Suburban Creative Placemaking Grant Program, supporting bold, community-driven projects. This is your chance to shape public art, revitalize commercial corridors, and reimagine public spaces throughout suburban Cook County.

Award Range: $50,000 - $250,000
Deadline: April 7, 2025
Program Guidelines: https://cookcountyarts.org/creative-placemaking/

DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief

Description: “…DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures…” Open nationwide to “a restaurant, gastropub or bakery 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”, been opened at least 6 months, “Own a maximum of three locations, and employ fewer than 50 employees per location”, and “Have revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months.”

Award Range: $10,000
Deadline: Winter Round due March 3, 2025 at 5pm; Spring Round due May 30, 2025 at 5pm  
Program Guidelines: https://helloalice.com/grants/doordash/

Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 2160-2940) 

About the Program: 

Are you a socially or economically disadvantaged business owner or part of a very small business? This is your chance to access funding to grow your business, improve efficiency, and create jobs! 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) or very small businesses (VSBs) to support small business capital improvement projects. This program will offer small business grants across the state to help eligible businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs.  

Eligibility: 

• Businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with up to 25 full-time permanent employees 
• Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with fewer than 10 employees 

Award Range: $10,000 - $245,000 

Deadline: April 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM 

Program Guidelines: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/2160-2940.html 

Important Note: All applicants must be prequalified (register with sam.gov, GATA, etc.) to apply. 

National Endowment for the Arts FY 2026 Grant

Description: “Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. The program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, and/or returning Challenge America  applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or  local government; Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes; and applicants that have  not been recommended for funding in any of the three most recent Fiscal Years in the NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, or Research Awards grant programs”

Award Range: $10,000
Deadline: April 24, 2025, at 10:59pm   
Program Guidelines: https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/national-endowment-arts-fy-2026-grant-opportunities-now-available

Vilcek Foundation

Description: “…invites applications for grants to support nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant artists and communities, and that promote diversity in the arts, sciences, education, and humanities.” Open nationwide and U.S. territories nonprofits with 501(c)3 status.

Award Range: $5,000 and $20,000
Deadline: June 30, 2025
Program Guidelines: https://vilcek.org/grants/ 

Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)

Description: Grants are available for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for independently owned grocery stores, cooperatives, or not-for-profit grocery stores in Illinois.

Eligibility Highlights:

• Independently owned grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than 4 locations.
• Stores must sell fresh foods (meats, fruits, vegetables) and accept SNAP/WIC benefits.
• Revenue from alcohol and tobacco must not exceed 30%.

Award Range: $25,000 and $250,000
Deadline: December 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted (rolling applications).
Program Guidelines: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3295-2956.html 

Watch an informational Video Here! 

Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented

Description: “The Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented Program gives the opportunity for small to mid-sized manufacturers in Cook County to receive fully funded projects in areas they want to focus on.”  “Manufacturing establishments with less than 500 employees in Cook County are eligible.”

Award Range: Up to $25,000
Program Guidelines: https://www.ccmfg.org/

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/  

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

Free Lead Service Line Replacement

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!