Capital Grants for Community & Worker-Owned Businesses in Illinois in Illinois (USA)

GrantID: 74107

Grant Funding Amount Low: $50,000

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Grant Amount High: $500,001

View Full Grant Details

Grant Application – Apply Here

Summary

This capital grant supports shared-ownership economic models in cities, especially targeting historically underserved neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, worker cooperatives, community groups, local governments, and mission-driven small businesses. Residents, groups, and small enterprises are encouraged to participate.


The funds are designed to foster community wealth building through democratic, locally rooted ownership. They aim to support the purchase and development of commercial real estate, small-scale business ventures, and shared investment vehicles. Goals include boosting local economic control, increasing property and job ownership, and enabling community-led commercial projects that reflect local priorities.


Awards can reach up to around $500,000, depending on project complexity and partnership structure. Grants typically support pre-development and capital costs—such as technical assistance, planning, acquisition, pre-development work, and initial property improvements. They are structured to reduce dependence on traditional financing pathways that often exclude low-income or disinvested areas.


  • Worker cooperatives: employee-owned businesses seeking to acquire or develop property.

  • Community investment vehicles: informal investment groups pooling resources to purchase or develop shared assets.

  • Nonprofits, public agencies, and mission-driven small businesses: groups collaborating on projects that uplift the community.


Geographic focus is centered in certain urban corridors—especially neighborhoods that have faced historical economic disinvestment. Funding tends to align with broader municipal equity efforts in those areas.


To find more grants, visit The Grant Portal and use the Search Grant tool to find your next grant.


If you are located in Illinois and working in the area of Community/Economic Development, this funding opportunity may be a good fit. For more relevant grant options that support your work and priorities, visit The Grant Portal and use the Search Grant tool to find opportunities.

Eligible Regions

Interests

Eligible Requirements

View Full Grant Details

Grant Portal - Capital Grants for Community & Worker-Owned Businesses in Illinois in Illinois (USA) 74107

Overview

This grant is meant to financially support organizations or entities that focus their efforts on, but not limited to: Business & Commerce, Capital Funding, Community Development & Services, Community/Economic Development, Employment, Labor & Training Workforce, Housing, Non-Profit Support Services, Small Business, Transportation in Illinois (USA).