Questions can be submitted via these webforms:

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• Businesses located in Chicago
• Small businesses (under $3M in revenue) who have experienced lost revenue or increased costs due to COVID-19
• Businesses that have suffered between $5,000-10,000 or more in lost revenue or increased costs due to COVID-19 for which it has not already received relief through government funds.
• Businesses in good standing with the City of Chicago

The following businesses are not eligible:

• Businesses owned or operated by City employee
• Ridershare drivers (Uber/Lyft)
• Liquor stores, cannabis dispensaries
• Track waging facilities, trailer storage yards, junk yards
• Places of worship (but religious organizations running public community programs are eligible)
• Private clubs and businesses that limit membership
• Businesses that primarily profit form price fluctuations
• Pyramid businesses
• Businesses that earn 25%+ revenue from lending (unless CDFI)
• Business with 33% revenue from gambling
• Businesses that derive majority of income from real property
• Political/lobbying organizations
• Storage facilities
• Temp agencies (but employment agencies that provide employment support services are available)
• Chain businesses (regional or national chains)
• Franchises that operate more than 2 locations
• Night clubs (except those whose primary mission is performing arts, e.g., live DJs)
• Strip clubs or adult entertainment facilities
• Any uses similar to those listed above

• Businesses located in Chicago
• Tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations
• Small organizations (under $3M in revenue)
• Organizations in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State
• Nonprofits that have suffered between $5,000-10,000 or more in lost revenue or increased costs due to COVID-19 for which it has not already received relief through government funds.
• Organizations in good standing with the City of Chicago
• Most recent business bank statement

The following nonprofits are not eligible:

• Nonprofits owned or operated by City employee
• 501(c)3 places of worship, unless you provide public community programs
• Political/lobbying organizations (i.e. (501(c)4; 501(c)5; 501(c)6; PAC)

• Organizations that are not currently Delegate Agencies with the City of Chicago with an active contract to provide services. This does not include active sub-contractors of Delegate Agencies.
• Organizations that have not previously received Federal, State or local government relief during the pandemic
• 80% of available grant funds will go to nonprofits with physical location and services provided in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) communities; 20% to other geographies
• At least 25% of available funds for nonprofits will go to organizations under $1M in revenue, with the remainder for those between $1M-$3M in revenue.
• Organizations who did not apply or are not selected for the State of Illinois’ pending Back 2 Business (B2B) Grant Program; we will verify selection records with the State once those grantees are announced.

Yes, provided the franchise operates no more than 2 locations and that revenue across all locations for 2020 was $3 million.

Chicago-headquartered chains with less than $3 million in total annual revenue (across all locations) are eligible to apply.

Chi Biz Strong Grant recipients may use funds on operations, staff, overhead costs, inventory, insurance; no specified restrictions on use other than for business/nonprofit expenses.

Outdoor Dining Grant recipients must use the funds for the purchase of outdoor furniture, COVID-related signage or personal protective equipment.

Nonprofit grant recipients will be asked to complete a survey in Q1 2021 on how funds were used with additional questions about your organization, clients/population served and staff.

There is no expiration date for the funds.

The application must be completed and submitted by the owner of the business. If two or more owners have equal ownership of the business, then one of the owners must complete the application.

The individual who signed the 2020 990 or 990EZ for your business or nonprofit, or a designated Officer of the business or nonprofit (i.e. president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, chief accounting officer or tax officer). 

The application is open and will be accepted online until Friday, November 12^th at 11:59 pm.

No, applications must be submitted online.

Allies will select grant recipients based on eligibility and prioritization criteria and through a lottery system and distribute funds via bank transfer within 4- 6 weeks of the  application deadline.

Applicants will be selected by criteria and lottery. How soon you submit your application will have no impact on your likelihood to receive an award, as long as it is submitted prior to the deadline.

Applicants will be notified of their status via email within 6 weeks after the application deadline.

Each business owner/ business group is eligible to apply for one grant to help recover from economic loss experienced due to COVID-19 on or after March 1, 2020.

If selected, grantees will receive payments in a one-time installment before December 31, 2021. Grantees will receive an award of $5,000 if their 2020 revenue was less than $60,000, or $10,000 if 2020 revenue was $60,000 or higher.

Applicants must attest to COVID-related costs or revenue losses in excess of the grant amount, and that they have not received prior government relief for these costs or revenue losses.

Submitting bank account information helps us process payments for grant recipients as quickly as possible. The online application process is fully secure, and you can be assured that none of your information will be sold or shared beyond the partner organizations.

Yes. The information you provide will not be sold or shared beyond the partner organization administering the program.

Yes, businesses that opened in 2020 are eligible.

Because 2020 tax returns are required for this application, businesses that opened in 2021 are not eligible.

• For-profit businesses: 50% of funding will be prioritized for businesses in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) communities and 50% to other geographies.

•  Non-profit business: 80% of funding will be prioritized for organizations with physical location and services provided in LMI communities and 20% to other geographies

Yes, Register for webinars here