City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD)

Grant for Commercial and Cultural Projects in Underserved Neighborhoods

$250k

Amount

Cash

Rolling

Deadline

Illinois

Geography

Local

Grant

Type

Government

Arts, Culture & Humanities
Business & Entrepreneurship
Community Development & Housing
Economic Empowerment
Economic Empowerment (Business)
Emerging Artists
Food & Beverage
Green & Sustainable Business
Health & Wellness (Business)

Share this grant:

About this grant

Provides reimbursement grants for new construction and rehabilitation of commercial and cultural spaces on eligible commercial corridors in Chicago's West, Southwest, and South Sides. Eligible projects include restaurants, retail stores, offices, museums, theaters, art galleries, and mixed-use developments. Nonprofits are eligible if the grant covers permanent capital improvements for a revenue-generating project.

What you get

Reimbursement grant for up to 75% of eligible project costs
Maximum grant award of $250,000
Eligible costs include new construction, rehabilitation, and certain soft costs for design and technical assistance
Pipeline projects may be paired with financial and technical assistance to help meet eligibility criteria

How to apply

Online application via City of Chicago's Submittable portal
Proof of geographic eligibility (project address on eligible commercial corridor)
Proof of financing (bank statements or lender closing documents demonstrating 50% of total project costs)
Proof of site control (recorded deed, executed lease, or purchase/sale agreement)
Construction bids and/or substantiation of estimated construction costs
Construction and design documents
Detailed project budget and construction timeline
Detailed business plan and leadership team summary

Eligibility

Project must be located on an NOF eligible or priority commercial corridor on Chicago's West, Southwest, or South Sides
Project must be a commercial or cultural use (e.g., restaurant, grocery, cafe, office, store, museum, theater, gallery)
Nonprofits must use grant for permanent capital improvements for a revenue-generating project
Homes/residences, factories/industrial uses, social services, and places of worship without commercial components are ineligible
Applicants must demonstrate at least 50% proof of project financing at application or within 4 months of Conditional Award Letter
Proof of site control required (recorded deed, executed lease of minimum 5 years, or purchase/sale agreement)
Site control documents must match the name and address of the business entity and project site on the application

See the rest of this grant

Grant for Commercial and Cultural Projects in Underserved Neighborhoods

About this grant

What you get

How to apply

Eligibility

Disaster Recovery Grant for Housing Nonprofits

Grant for Nonprofits in Northern New England and Quebec

Grant for Digital Equity Nonprofits and Community Organizations

Grant for LGBTQ+ Nonprofits in the Upper Midwest

Grant for Arizona Health-Focused Nonprofits and Collaboratives

Grant for Health and Community Nonprofits in Delaware