The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to offer grants to qualifying Illinois grocery stores for energy efficient equipment upgrades.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.
While the Illinois Grocery Initiative is intended to reduce or eliminate the existence of “food deserts1 ” in Illinois and will prioritize stores located in food deserts, the Equipment Upgrades Program is not limited to establishments located in food deserts. These grants are intended, however, to facilitate energy-efficient equipment investment and sustainability for stores located in food deserts, areas that could become food deserts, and other areas that are underserved to a lesser degree. These grants will reimburse costs for the purchase and installation of new energy-efficient equipment.
Performance Goals and Measures
Grantees will be required to submit performance data to the Department on a quarterly basis. Performance reporting will encompass both the implementation of projects supported by the grant and impacts on the community. Performance measures may include but will not necessarily be limited to:
- Project Milestones Completed
- Grocery Store Remains Open 1 year after project completion
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $2,482,000. Awards will range from $25,000 to $250,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this program will be constrained by characteristics of prospective store ownership and the intended offerings of the store.
- Grants will be limited to projects making energy-efficient investments in existing bricks and-mortar operations in Illinois.
- This grant opportunity will be limited to independently-owned grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than 4 grocery stores.
- Grocery locations must be consistent with the following to be eligible:
- The store is or will be classified as a supermarket or other grocery retailer in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System under code 445110, a meat retailer under code 44524, a fruit and vegetable retailer under code 44523, or a fish and seafood retailer under 44525.
- The store cannot derive more than 30% of its revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales.
- The store must accept or will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children benefits.
- The store must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in the community by selling fresh foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables that have not been processed in any manner.
For more information, visit DCEO.
