Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund

Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund is sponsored by City of Chicago. The Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund provides grants to support the restoration of designated landmark buildings and structures throughout Chicago. Funds are generated by downtown construction projects and contribute to the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system.

**Updated June 25, 2026** The Citywide Adopt-A-Landmark Fund provides grants to support the restoration of designated landmark buildings and structures throughout Chicago. The funds are generated by downtown construction projects that contribute to the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system.

Properties that qualify for Adopt-A-Landmark grants include individually designated landmarks and contributing buildings in designated landmark districts.

Adopt-A-Landmark Fund projects must meet the following conditions: * Restoration projects must be consistent with Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL) standards and guidelines * Scope of work must involve an exterior renovation that’s visible from the street or interior work that's accessible by the public, and routine maintenance is not eligible * The CCL must approve the scope of work and associated budget for the restoration project pursuant to its standard review and approval process Selected projects require the review and approval of the full Landmarks Commission and potentially its Permit Review Committee.

Grant amounts in excess of $250,000 require additional approval from City Council. ### **2026 Adopt-A-Landmark Applications** The 2026 Adopt-A-Landmark application period opened Friday, May 8, and applications are due by**4 p. m.

Monday, August 10**. A total of $750,000 is available for projects in this funding round. **Download the application** An informational pre-application webinar was held Thursday, May 21.

A recording of the webinar is available to watch on DPD's YouTube page. Priority will be given to applications that meet both of the following funding priorities: * **Neighborhood anchors/commercial buildings** —Neighborhood anchors and commercial buildings could be individually designated Chicago landmarks or contributing buildings within designated Chicago landmark districts.

These types of buildings will be targeted for the positive stabilizing role they play in their neighborhoods, including those that promote pedestrian activity, small business establishments and local commerce. Some examples of neighborhood anchor landmark buildings include institutions, legacy businesses, fieldhouses, restaurants, religious buildings and similar social gathering places.

Neighborhood commercial landmark buildings are generally small-scale commercial buildings or mixed-use buildings with ground-floor commercial uses and residential uses on upper floors. * **Projects seeking grants below $250,000** —Due to the available resources for the 2026 Adopt-A-Landmark funding round, priority will be given to projects that seek less than $250,000 in Adopt-A-Landmark grants.

DPD will also give preference to projects that meet the below evaluation criteria, which are not listed in order of importance. Projects that meet both of the funding priorities outlined above and the greatest number of application criteria below will be given overall priority for funding. * Projects that have not been completed and that address exterior envelope issues.

* Projects that leverage additional project investment such that the requested Adopt-A-Landmark funds fill financing gaps. * Projects that will have a positive, catalytic impact on the community in which they are located.

The impact may be in the form of new permanent jobs created, commercial leasing to new businesses, providing new services, etc. * Projects that address or prevent further deterioration of the subject property’s structural and architectural integrity caused by natural misfortune (storm damage, fire, flooding, etc.), or buildings that are situationally threatened as determined on a case-by-case basis.

* Projects that will rehabilitate vacant or underutilized buildings to make them ready for occupancy or improve their occupancy. This may include an interior and exterior scope of work with Adopt-A-Landmark funds to be used for qualified exterior work. * Projects that are “shovel ready” and will be completed in two years.

* Projects that are located within Qualified Investment Areas. Please note that selected grant recipients may be awarded less than total funding requested in the application. Questions on the application and the submittal process can be directed to Historic Preservation staff at landmarks@cityofchicago.

org. Details about finalists selected during the 2025 funding round are available online. The 2025 pre-registration meeting isposted on YouTube.

A template of an Adopt-A-Landmark agreement is available for reviewfor reference purposes only.