The 2025 SBGI application is open!
The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) is partnering with Allies for Community Business (A4CB) to support 19 small businesses located in Waukegan and North Chicago.
LCCF’s Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI) grant program is looking for 19 small businesses in Waukegan and North Chicago 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 19 entrepreneurs grow their businesses, create jobs and build wealth in Waukegan and North Chicago. We are committing $30,000 to each of the 19 small business owner(s) who want to grow in partnership with a business coach from our program.
The 2025 SBGI grant application is open until April 11th at 11:59 pm. Please apply below.
- All applicants have to register in Foundant, our Grants Management System. **YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO APPLY**
- Foundant Resources & Tools:
We will only choose 19 small businesses for the 2025 cohort from Waukegan and North Chicago. You can fill out the Small Business Growth Initiative application HERE. The SBGI grant application closes on April 11th at 11:59 pm.
The 19 business owners chosen will need to be able to attend the first SBGI cohort meeting on May 19th at 3 pm. If you have questions, you can reach out to Courtney Combs at [email protected]
–The LCCF team
