The Chicagoland Job Creators Grant offers a total of $50,000 to be distributed among 10 diverse-led businesses in Illinois, providing each recipient with $5,000. The grant also includes a scholarship to a Founders First accelerator program, aiming to support business growth and continued education. Eligible businesses must complete an application that includes business details, an organization chart, a P&L statement, and a short pitch video. Semi-finalists will be selected for a final judging round, with the 10 grant recipients announced during a live press event.
The grant targets businesses led by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Latino, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTA+, Military Veterans, and those located in Low to Moderate Income areas. Additionally, the businesses must be for-profit, have annual revenues between $100K and $5 million, operate with a B2B or B2G model, and be capable of adding 1-2 premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. The application opens on January 7, 2025, with a pre-registration period in November 2024, and semi-finalists will be selected in February 2025.