Advice and funding

Free help and funding in Illinois

Start with free advising and mentoring, then look at funding that fits your business.

Illinois Small Business Development Centers

Illinois SBDCs offer free, confidential advising and training.

Suburban centers

College of DuPage.
Harper College in Schaumburg.
Waubonsee Community College in Aurora.
Joliet Junior College.
McHenry County College.
Oakton Community College.

Chicago centers

Chicagoland Chamber.
Polsky Exchange.

SCORE mentoring

SCORE offers free, confidential mentoring. Find Illinois chapters by ZIP code.

SBA loans

SBA microloans go up to $50,000 through nonprofit intermediaries and average about $13,000. SBA 7(a) loans go through participating banks. Use SBA Lender Match to find lenders.

Grants and local resources

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity posts open grant opportunities. Grants for brand-new solo businesses are rare and usually tied to specific populations, industries, or areas. Treat “free grant” ads with caution.

Local chambers of commerce and economic development offices are another resource.

Not sure which structure fits? Try the Structure Finder, or request help. Call (331) 261-4788

General information, not legal or tax advice.