The City of Chicago is seeking applications for its Community Development Small Grant.
Donor Name: City of Chicago
State: Illinois
City: Chicago
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 08/14/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Community Development Small grants are intended to support eligible commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects. Grants provide funding for up to 75% of total eligible project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both. Priority is given to projects with strong local impacts that leverage local talents, capacities and institutions and contribute to community vitality.
Small grants are funded by the Housing and Economic Development (HED) bond and may be located anywhere within the City of Chicago. Grant opportunities through other funding sources are detailed on the Department of Planning and Development site.
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis; all project expenses are paid upfront by awardees. Grant disbursements are made at defined milestones during construction.
Funding Information
Grants Up to $250,000.
Uses of Funds
Proposed projects must be revenue-generating and comprise the following uses:
- Commercial (office, retail)
- Light industrial
- Mixed-use residential (residential costs cannot exceed 25% of total grant amount and must be part of a larger building improvement, such as HVAC/plumbing).
Eligible Projects
- Commercial, mixed-use or light manufacturing projects
- Business owners and entrepreneurs, property owners, non-profits and community developers
- Applicants from all areas of Chicago
- Expansion or renovation for existing businesses
- New locations for start-up businesses or existing businesses
- New construction on vacant land
- Speculative “vanilla box” projects with strong community-oriented goals.
Eligible Costs
- Major exterior and interior renovations to existing businesses
- Build-outs for incoming businesses:
- Architectural, permitting, design, engineering and construction fees
- Roofing, masonry, façade, windows and doors
- Mechanical systems, such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing
- ADA accessibility improvements
- Other items can be included in the total project cost, but may not be reimbursable; all expenses that are submitted will be reviewed and considered.
Eligibility Criteria
Business owners, non-profit organizations, commercial or mixed used property owners are all eligible to apply. While applicants are not required to be City of Chicago residents, preference may be given to those who reside in the City of Chicago, particularly in neighborhoods that of low or moderate income, or in the neighborhood in which the project is proposed. However, the property where the project is proposed needs to be located in the City of Chicago.
For more informaiton, visit City of Chicago.
