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Community Development Grants - Small and Medium
Applications Open Until 11:59PM on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Receive up to $250,000 (small) or $5 million (medium) for construction or renovation costs for your business. Grants support local commercial and light manufacturing projects. Apply here.

Eligibility:

  • Proposed projects must be revenue-generating
  • Projects must comprise the following uses
  • Commercial (office, retail)
  • Light industrial
  • Mixed-use residential (residential costs cannot exceed 25% of the total grant amount and must be part of a larger building improvement, such as HVAC/plumbing)
  • Priority is given to projects with strong local impacts that leverage local talents, capacities and institutions and contribute to community vitality.

Additional Information:

Note that this is a reimbursement grant. Eligible costs include pre-development, new construction and renovations. Applications are open to business owners, property owners, community developers, and entrepreneurs.

Know Your Rights: Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees

Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR) collaborates with local organizations to provide resources and support for the city’s diverse immigrant and refugee populations. In light of recent actions taken by the federal government, here are some critical resources for immigrants, refugees, and those seeking to protect immigrant and refugee rights:

Cook County Small Businesses Source

The Source is Cook County’s go-to network for small business support, connecting entrepreneurs with expert guidance and resources to fuel growth and success at every stage of their journey.

Labor Standards

The City of Chicago has different guidelines than the State of Illinois

 

Ward Information

Andersonville is served by three alderpersons. As a small business, you’ll most likely have to work with the Alder’s office and their staff on issues like licensing and zoning. Learn more about the Alders and their wards:

City of Chicago, Departmental Resources

Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

Through the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), you can:

Department of Planning and Development

For small businesses, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) oversees issues related to zoning, land use, real estate development, historic preservation, and much more. Through DPD, you can:

Other City and County Resources

State and Government Business Resources

For most small businesses in Chicago, issues usually arise at the city or count common issues are usually resolved at the city or county level. However, sometimes there are just some things that need to be addressed at the state or federal level. Learn more about the various Illinois and Federal departments that might be relevant to you.

Small Business Improvement Fund

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) is one of the city’s longest-running and most successful programs, helping to retain and expand small businesses in nearly every neighborhood. SBIF grants use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to help businesses and owners of commercial and industrial properties make permanent building repairs and upgrades. These grants can cover up to 90% percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum of $150,000 for commercial properties. Industrial properties may be eligible for grants of up to $250,000. Businesses are not required to repay SBIF grants.

About the Clark/Montrose SBIF

Businesses located within the Clark/Montrose TIF District may submit SBIF applications beginning Saturday, August 1, 2026. The deadline for applications is Sunday, August 30, 2026. These grants can reimburse costs related to pre-approved repair/rehab of business facilities or adjacent land acquisition. The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has contracted SomerCor to administer this program.

Interested? To get started, you should:

Clark/Montrose SBIF Rollout Webinar

Join representatives from SomerCor and DPD on Wednesday, August 5 for an informational webinar* about the Clark/Montrose Small Business Improvement Fund.

Register

*1:00pm on Zoom, FREE w/ RSVP

SBIF Fast Facts

  • Grants are available for commercial and industrial businesses and property owners.
  • SBIF provides grants to commercial businesses covering 30%, 60%, or 90% of the costs of permanent building improvements like:
    • Storefront renovation
    • Building systems
    • Interior remodeling
    • Roof replacement
  • Industrial businesses with 200 or fewer employees are eligible for grants covering 50% of their project costs.
  • Since 1999, SBIF has invested over $100 million in Chicago small businesses

About the Clark/Montrose TIF

The Clark/Montrose TIF District is characterized by a retail corridor featuring mixed-use properties. This unique section of Clark Street connects Ravenswood, Uptown, and Andersonville. DPD has targeted over half of the 51-acre district for rehabilitation purposes, specifically for commercial, institutional and mixed-use properties along Clark. The TIF provides incentives for new construction projects that capitalize on the adjacent residential areas, and projects that preserve or rehabilitate historic or architecturally significant structures.

Other Clark/Montrose TIF priorities include job assistance to training and readiness programs, along with improvements to public right-of-ways, parks, and schools. The TIF has or will utilize a minimum of $7.3 million in public dollars to attract a minimum of $10 million in private investment.

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