Large grants exceeding $5 million are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects. Grants are intended to support approximately 25% of total project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both.

Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply individually or jointly during competitive, semi-annual funding rounds.

Large grants are funded through proceeds from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and the Housing and Economic Development (HED) bond. The source of funding for each Large grant is determined at the discretion of DPD. Funding is provided as a lump-sum reimbursement upon project completion. At the discretion of DPD, funding may be offered as a loan rather than a grant. 

More information is available on the Large grant FAQ page. A comprehensive overview of Large grant rules and regulations is available in the program manual.

Eligibility

Proposed projects must primarily comprise one of the following uses either independently or combined with another eligible use: 

• Commercial (office, retail)
• Cultural (museums, theaters, performance venues)
• Industrial and manufacturing
• Institutional (healthcare, education)
• Mixed-use residential (10+ units with 100% ground floor commercial use)
• Social services (workforce development, unhoused interventions, etc.)

All uses must be generally accessible to the public and should add to the economic vitality of the surrounding neighborhood, benefit the community, and meet a local need.  Projects must also be received as proposals, meaning construction of these projects must not be completed when the application is submitted. 

Eligible grant uses include construction-related hard costs, pre-development soft costs such as design and site preparation expenses, and acquisition costs.  A full list of eligible and ineligible expenses is included in the program manual.

Large grants can be used for projects anywhere in the City of Chicago; however, projects that are completed are ineligible for funding.

Applications are evaluated based on a project’s anticipated impact, location, site characteristics, uses, documentation and financing. Applications are also reviewed for potential issues related to zoning, design and historic preservation.

Timing

Large grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the online platform Submittable. 

All applicants are notified if their projects are selected or not selected for grants. Applicants whose projects are not selected receive deficiency letters outlining relevant issues and concerns. Rejected applicants may reapply for future funding rounds.