The City of Chicago and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot are committed to strengthening local business corridors and enhancing neighborhood vitality.

The Chicago Recovery Plan provides additional opportunities for the City to invest in catalytic local development, expanding upon DPD’s existing investments and support.

DPD is now accepting applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. All are welcome to apply. City staff will prioritize projects in areas of Chicago where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.

Eligibility

• Grant funding can be used for pre-development, construction, or renovation costs for permanent capital improvement projects.
• Open to community developers, business owners and entrepreneurs, and property owners. Site control is preferred, but not required.
• Residential-only development is not eligible, but mixed-use projects are eligible.
• Priority will be given to catalytic projects with a strong local impact, that are able to leverage local talents, capacities, and institutions to strengthen and contribute to the community.
• Applicants from all areas of Chicago are eligible to apply. Priority will be given for projects in historically disinvested areas as well as projects that build upon existing efforts, such as Mayor Lightfoot’s INVEST South/West initiative and community safety initiatives.
• Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate momentum and are expected to break ground within six months of acceptance into this grant program.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The application for 2023 is currently open, and the first deadline for consideration is February 24, 2023. Applicants who submit by this deadline will receive a decision regarding their project in May.

Please do not submit duplicative applications for the same project.

Prepare to Apply

Applications will be segmented based on size of the grant. Grant requests should represent no more than 75 percent of anticipated total project cost.

Grants for less than $250,000 (Small) >>

Grants for more than $250,000 (Large) >>

For advice and potential resources to help with your application, please go to the Community Development Grant Resources page.