Small grants up to $250,000 are intended to support eligible commercial, mixed-use and light manufacturing projects. Grants provide funding for up to 75% of total eligible project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both. 

Priority is given to projects with strong local impacts that leverage local talents, capacities and institutions and contribute to  community vitality. Private and non-profit developers, property owners and businesses are eligible to apply. 

Small grants are funded by the Housing and Economic Development (HED) bond and may be located anywhere within the City of Chicago. Grant opportunities through other funding sources are detailed on the Department of Planning and Development site. 

Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis; all project expenses are paid upfront by awardees. Grant disbursements are made at defined milestones during construction.  

More information is available on the Community Development Grant FAQ page. 

Key Dates 

Application opening:  Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 

Application deadline: 11:59 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024  

 Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a information session 

• Webinar: Tuesday, August 20th | 2:00 pm  Register now
• Webinar: Monday, September 9th | 2:00 pm Register now
  • Presented in Spanish/Presentado en Español
• Webinar: Monday, October 28th | 2:00pm  Register now 

Attend in-person:  

• Friday, September 13th | 10:00 am Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
• Tuesday, September 24th | 6:00 pm Ramova Theater Community Room, 3520 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60609 
  • Presented with simultaneious Mandarin Translation 
• Thursday, October 10th | 9:30 am Woodson Regional Public Library,  9525 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60628

Registration links coming soon. 

Eligibility 

Proposed projects must be revenue-generating and comprise the following uses: 

• Commercial (office, retail)
• Light industrial
• Mixed-use residential (residential costs cannot exceed 25% of total grant amount and must be part of a larger building improvement, such as HVAC/plumbing).

Grant uses may include hard costs, soft costs and acquistion costs. Acquisition and soft costs must be part of a broader commercial project. Acquisition costs cannot exceed 25% of the total grant amount. 

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

Applicants are encouraged to confer with general contractors to provide estimates based on formal bids. Small grant funding is calculated based on the budget provided in the application.  

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. Rejected applicants may re-apply during future rounds.