The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides reimbursement grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
Donor Name: City of Chicago
State: Illinois
City: Chicago
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 07/30/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide.
Funding Information
Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties.
Eligible Expenses
Most permanent building improvements are eligible for SBIF grants, including:
- Exterior renovations and repairs, including new windows, doors and roofs
- Interior remodeling, including framing, drywall, flooring and ceilings
- Tuck-pointing and masonry repairs
- HVAC, electrical and plumbing system upgrades
- Structural components of new signage
- ADA improvements
- Project-related architectural and construction management fees.
Eligibility Criteria
- Business properties located in a TIF district where SBIF funds are available and the SBIF is open for applications
- Commercial businesses with gross annual sales up to $9 million on average over the previous three years
- Commercial property owners with net worth up to $ 9 million and liquid assets up to $500,000
- Industrial businesses with up to 200 full-time employees
- Residential projects are not eligible for SBIF grants.
For more information, visit City of Chicago.
