2026 Small Business Growth Initiative

2026 Small Business Growth Initiative is a grant from the Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) in partnership with Allies for Community Business (A4CB) that funds small businesses in Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion, Illinois, seeking to grow operations, create jobs, and build community wealth in underinvested neighborhoods.

Selected businesses receive financial capital, small business coaching, and connections as part of a four-month learning cohort. Eligible applicants are small businesses located in Waukegan committed to the cohort participation requirement. Eight grants of ,000 each are available.

The application deadline was April 3, 2026; applicants should contact LCCF for future cycles.

About LCCF - Growing Philanthropy, Building Community For Small Business Owners The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) is partnering with Allies for Community Business (A4CB) to support 8 small businesses located in Waukegan. LCCF’s Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI) grant program is looking for 8 small businesses in Waukegan who want to grow their business and will commit to a 4-month learning cohort.

LCCF and A4CB are teaming up to provide financial capital, coaching, and connections that will help 8 entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create jobs and build wealth in Waukegan. We are committing $30,000 to each of the 8 small business owner(s) who want to grow in partnership with a business coach from our program. The 2024 SBGI grant application is open until April 22nd at 11:59 pm .

Please apply below.

Racial Equity Resource Library Small Business Growth Initiative – For Funders Small Business Eligibility Requirements Small Business Commitment A commitment to participating in a 4-month cohort that includes technical assistance based on specific business growth opportunities A commitment to attending 4 group meetings in Waukegan and 1:1 coaching Small Business Growth Application All applications have to register in Foundant , o ur Grants Management System.

**YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO APPLY** Foundant Resources & Tools: Foundant applicant tutorial LCCF recorded information session Collaborate function tutorial We will only choose 8 small businesses for the 2024 cohort from Waukegan. You can fill out the Small Business Growth Initiative application HERE . The SBGI grant application closes on April 22nd at 11:59 pm.

The 8 business owners chosen will need to be able to attend the first SBGI cohort meeting on May 20th at 3 pm .

If you have questions, you can reach out to Courtney Combs at [email protected] Key Information for 2024 SBGI cohort selection 8 businesses will be chosen for the 2024 SBGI cohort Must commit to a 4-month cohort including 1:1 coaching Must commit to 4 group meetings in Waukegan Generated revenue of at least $50,000 in 2023 Want to talk more about this opportunity?

Please contact Courtney Combs at [email protected] to discuss your idea before applying.

Small business must have generated $50,000 in revenue in 2023 Small business must be in Waukegan Current and in good standing with the IRS We take a data-driven approach to working alongside small business owners to help them meet their specific growth goals, while enriching the surrounding Small businesses apply with LCCF Small businesses selected agree to work with LCCF and A4CB for 4-months LCCF and A4CB will award 8 small businesses $30,000 grants Small businesses participate in business coaching and cohort activities Small businesses measure growth in partnership with LCCF and A4CB Thank you to our 2024 SBGI Funding Partners!