Community Development Grant — Small (≤ $250K)
Citywide reimbursement grant for qualifying Chicago capital projects, including construction, rehabilitation and build-out. Covers up to 75% of eligible costs, with a grant cap of $250,000. No SBIF/TIF or NOF zone is required. Current application deadline: February 16, 2027.
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
Explore location-based incentives alongside Community Development Grant — Small (≤ $250K). This program requires a separate review of its business or project requirements.
Published criteria — confirm with City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
- Project located within Chicago city limits (all 77 community areas eligible)
- Capital project: new construction, substantial rehabilitation, build-out, or equipment installation
- For-profit business, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or developer LLC
- Grant request up to $250,000 and sufficient funds for costs not covered by reimbursement
- Good standing with State of Illinois and City of Chicago
Community Development Grant — Small (≤ $250K) is administered at the city level. Depending on the program, eligibility may depend on the specific location, property type, or business activity rather than a single drawn boundary.
Boundaries are precise and change over time, so whether a specific address falls inside a mapped zone always depends on that exact address. The fastest way to check is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind — mapped coverage is a location signal, not an eligibility determination.
Citywide — eligible anywhere within Chicago city limits. No zone gate, but the project address must be in Chicago.
Range on file · Up to $250,000 (75% of eligible costs)
Current published terms as of 2026-10-09
- +Up to $250,000 in reimbursement; up to 75% of eligible project costs
- +Available for qualifying Chicago capital projects outside SBIF/TIF and NOF areas
- +DPD review of project scope, site control, financing and prior awards is required
Application timing can change. Verify current availability and instructions with the administering agency before relying on this program.
Verify current status on the official source- Project narrative + scope of work
- Itemized capital budget with contractor estimates
- Project timeline (completion within program window)
- Proof of site control — deed, lease (≥5 yrs remaining), or owner consent letter
- Entity documentation (business license, 501(c)(3) determination, or developer LLC docs)
- Good-standing verification with State of Illinois and City of Chicago
- W-9, certificate of insurance, and matching-funds documentation (if applicable)
This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.
- Phone
- (312) 744-4190
- Web
- Visit site ↗
Last verified 2026-10-09
Tax Increment Financing captures growth in property tax revenue within designated districts and reinvests it into local improvements like infrastructure, streetscaping, and building rehabilitation. Chicago has 124 active TIF districts (Civic Federation, 2025).
SomerCor administers TIF-funded reimbursement grants for permanent commercial and industrial building improvements. Applications follow district-specific monthly windows; confirm the current district calendar before applying.
Special Service Areas are localized taxing districts where businesses self-tax to fund enhanced services — streetscaping, marketing, security, facade improvements — within a defined commercial corridor. Chicago has 58 active SSAs citywide, each managed by a delegate service provider (a local chamber, EDO, or nonprofit).
Reimbursement grants for eligible commercial and industrial projects in designated areas of Chicago’s South, Southwest and West Sides. DPD and the program administrator confirm project requirements and current intake.