The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides grants up to $250,000 for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors. NOF grants are provided as reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible project expenses with a maximum grant of $250,000.Applicants may qualify for additional funding for Technical Assistance.

Funds are sourced from fees paid by downtown construction projects through the Department of Planning and Development's Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus program. 

The next NOF application round will open in November 2024. 

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend grant information session in-person or online.

• Webinar: Tuesday, November 19 | 11:00 am Register Now
• Webinar: Thursday, December 5 | 11:00 am Register Now

Additional dates coming soon. 

All NOF projects must be located on an eligibile or priority corridor, confirm your property is eligibile on the NOF eligibility map. NOF grants fund permanent capital improvements, types of projects and expenses include: 

Eligible Projects: 

• Commercial (office, retail) 
• Cultural (museums, theaters, performance venues)
• Non-profits with an on-site commercial component 
• Commercial components of industrial uses

Eligible Expenses: 

• New construction  
• Storefront buildouts  
• Facade repair, window, and door replacement  
• Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work 
• Roof repairs
• Acquisition costs - as part of a larger construction or renovation project. 
• Soft costs (design, technical assistance)

NOF does not award grants for the construction or rehabilitation of residential uses, manufacturing uses, industrial uses, or places of worship that do not identify commercial as the primary use of a project.  

Applications are accepted through the City of Chicago's Submittable online portal.  Applicants are encouraged to attend an NOF information session. 

NOF application will open in November 2024. 

Learn more