Chi Biz Strong Grant Program

Dear Nonprofit and Small Business Partners,

You may be eligible to access crucial City of Chicago relief dollars for nonprofits and small businesses! 

The City of Chicago’s Chi Biz Strong Grant Program will provide grants of $5,000 or $10,000, based on annual revenue, to nonprofit organizations and small businesses throughout Chicago that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 from lost revenue or increased costs.  

Applications are available now and will be open until Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Grants will be disbursed via a lottery and based on the eligibility and prioritization criteria.   

Non-profit organization criteria: 

·     Tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations 

  • Small organizations (under $3M in revenue), with at least 25% of funds prioritized for organizations under $1M in revenue 
  • 80% of funding will be prioritized for organizations with physical location and services provided in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) communities and 20% to other geographies  
  • Organizations that are not active Delegate Agencies of the City will be prioritized in selection, but active Delegates are eligible to apply
  • Organizations that have not received prior State, Federal or local government aid or financial relief will be prioritized 
  • Organizations must be in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State 
  • 501(c)3 places of worship are not eligible, unless you provide public community programs 

 Required Documents (Nonprofits) 

  • Nonprofit representative Valid ID (driver’s license, State ID, Passport, Consular Registration Card) 
  • 2020 Federal Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990 or 990EZ) 
  • Proof of Chicago address for the physical location of services (e.g. business bank statement or tax return with organization name and Chicago address) or your headquarters/administrative offices (if you only have one location) 
  • Most recent business bank statement 
  • W9 Form 

For-profit business criteria:

  • Small businesses (under $3M in revenue)
  • 50% of funding will be prioritized for businesses in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) communities and 50% to other geographies
  • Excludes certain business types, such as junk yards and pawn shops
  • Businesses that have not received prior State, Federal or local government aid or financial relief will be prioritized
  • Small chains and franchises are eligible below a certain size; see FAQ for details

Required Documents (For-Profit Businesses)

  • Business Owner Valid ID (driver’s license, State ID, Passport, Consular Registration Card)
  • City/State business license with Chicago business address OR other proof of Chicago address (e.g. business bank statement or tax statement with business name and Chicago address). For Outdoor Dining Grant Program, City business license is required.
  • 2020 Federal Business Tax Return all pages (Form 1120, 1065, 990 OR Form 1040 w/ Schedule C)
  • Most recent business bank statement
  • W9 Form

Informational webinars to assist applicants in preparing their application are available for viewing at YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP.  

Additional resources: