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Designing a Better Chicago Grant Program: NeoCon Design Impact Award is sponsored by Design Museum of Chicago, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and NeoCon. This award recognizes individuals or organizations using design or design principles for civic good and related programming in Chicago communities to improve public life.
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Designing a Better Chicago — Design Museum of Chicago Current/Upcoming Exhibitions Organizational Information Designing a Better Chicago Chicago Eco House/Southside Blooms, 2022 Grant Recipient Designing a Better Chicago In 2020, the Design Museum of Chicago partnered with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) and NeoCon to start the Designing a Better Chicago (DBC) grant program with the aim of providing vital funds to local individuals and organizations that use design to address challenges in communities across the City of Chicago.
DBC expanded in 2024 with the addition of the Driehaus Foundation introducing a new award category supporting built environment projects. Over six years, DBC has awarded 13 awards totaling $200,000. This program elevates the visibility of Chicago’s design legacy, assets, talent and community, creates healthy urban environments, and supports civic good through design.
Center for Native Futures Chicago Eco House / Southside Blooms Global Garden Refugee Training Farm In 2026, the DBC program will host two awards: 1) the NeoCon: Design Impact Award , recognizing individuals or organizations using design for civic good and related programming in Chicago and 2) the Driehaus Foundation: Built Environment Award , supporting leaders working to bring significant long-term impacts to Chicago communities and neighborhoods.
Design Impact Grant Mission The purpose of the NeoCon: Design Impact grant is to provide annual, project-specific grants to individuals and organizations using design or design principles to directly address pressing issues in Chicago communities by improving public life. Awardees will benefit Chicago residents through projects intended for the greater good.
Built Environment Grant Mission The purpose of the Driehaus Foundation: Built Environment grant is to prioritize preserving Chicago's historic architecture and protecting its parks and open spaces. Awardees celebrate and preserve the unique character of its neighborhood design or design principles to directly address pressing issues in Chicago communities. Grant amounts will be between $10,000 and $25,000.
In 2026, DBC will award $50,000 in sum total — $25,000 in the Design Impact category, and an additional $25,000 in the Built Environment category. We anticipate awarding 2–4 grants based on the quality of applications. This is an invitation-only grant program.
To be considered to apply for either award, an individual or organization must first be nominated. Nominations for the 2026 grant cycle have closed. Please join our email list here to keep up-to-date on future grant cycles.
Learn more about the grant guidelines and the application timeline below. Questions? Please contact us at grants@designchicago.
org Lauren Boegen December 20, 2023
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Invitation-only program. Individuals and organizations using design or design principles to address pressing issues in Chicago communities. Nominations are required. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $10,000 - $25,000 (part of a total of $50,000 awarded in 2026). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Designing a Better Chicago Grant Program: NeoCon Design Impact Award is funded by Design Museum of Chicago, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and NeoCon. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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