International Tourism Grant Program
Award grants and collaborate with certified local tourism and convention bureaus outside the City of Chicago that demonstrate strong international tourism appeal and seek to develop or expand their international marketing programs.
General announcement open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications.
Award grants and collaborate with certified local tourism and convention bureaus outside the City of Chicago that demonstrate strong international tourism appeal and seek to develop or expand their international marketing programs.
General announcement open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications.
BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free program for anyone interested in starting or growing a business in Chicago to gain knowledge across various essential business topics.
Since the program launched, more than 1,000 Chicago entrepreneurs and business owners have successfully completed the program.
All Program graduates, who meet criteria and are based in Chicagoland, are eligible to apply for:
View the BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program graduation ceremony video.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program is a free program for anyone interested in starting or growing a business in Chicago to gain knowledge across various essential business topics.
Since the program launched, more than 1,000 Chicago entrepreneurs and business owners have successfully completed the program.
All Program graduates, who meet criteria and are based in Chicagoland, are eligible to apply for:
- the Entrepreneur Loan Program with BACP’s partner, CIBC Bank USA .
- college credit with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). Read more.
View the BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program graduation ceremony video.
- City of Chicago: Small Business Improvement Fund
- Description: “promotes economic development by providing small businesses and property owners with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.”
- Award Range: $75,000 multi-tenant properties, $150,000 commercial properties, and $250,000 industrial properties
Deadline varies
- Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program
- Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries:
- Dry cleaning facility
- Auto body or auto repair shop
- Metal finisher
- Metal fabricator
- Food and beverage manufacturer
- Award Range: up to $300,000 (please note, “To receive a BRITE grant, small businesses must complete the interest survey by DES or must have had a similar environmental assessment conducted by a DES partner or third party.)
- Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries: