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Happy New Year from The Source! As we jump into 2026, we are highlighting the first Webinar Wednesday of the year and resources curated to uplift your businesses. We also want to hear from you! Take our brief poll to share some of your goals for 2026.

The Source's Webinar Wednesday

The Source’s Webinar Wednesday is back! Building on a strong 2025, this monthly webinar series features expert partners and actionable resources to help your small business thrive. Mark your calendar for the last Wednesday of each month.

January Webinar Wednesday

Finding the Right Capital: Revenue-Based Financing Explained

Is your business ready to grow or pursue new opportunities, but you're unsure which financing option is right for you? Join The Source, the Cook County Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, and Allies for Community Business (A4CB), for January's Webinar Wednesday to explore flexible capital solutions designed for established small businesses.

Discover A4CB's revenue-based financing opportunities, including loans up to $500,000 with repayment terms that flex with your monthly revenue. Unlike traditional term loans or lines of credit, this innovative financing model adjusts to your business's cash flow; the borrower repays the loan each month based on a fixed percentage of revenues earned the previous month, with no personal collateral required for loans up to $250,000.

Whether you're expanding operations, purchasing equipment or investing in new opportunities, this webinar will help you understand if revenue-based financing is the right fit for your growth plans.

Wednesday January 28, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Upcoming events

Helpful resources for your small business

City of Chicago Community Development Grants

The City of Chicago is now accepting applications for small, medium and large Community Development Grants. Small grants up to $250,000 are intended to support eligible commercial, mixed-use and light industrial projects. Priority is given to proposals that strengthen local communities by leveraging neighborhood assets and contributing to long-term vitality. Eligible applicants include private and nonprofit developers, property owners, and businesses. Applications for small and medium grants are due by 11:59 PM CT on February 13, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

McKinsey Fast Grants 2026

Through the Fast Grants initiative, McKinsey & Company’s Chicago office helps local organizations with underrepresented founders tackle their toughest challenges and achieve sustainable, inclusive growth at scale. McKinsey is partnering with Source Business Support Organization Allies for Community Business (A4CB) to provide four $10,000 grants to organizations whose founders show significant promise for impact. Grantees will also have access to McKinsey support to help refine and scale their organizations over a six-month period. Apply by February 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m CT here.

Roosevelt Incubator Schaumburg Enterprises (RISE) 

Building on a successful 2025 launch, Roosevelt University, in partnership with the Village of Schaumburg, invites entrepreneurs to apply to the RISE Program. RISE is a campus-based business incubator supporting early-stage startups, growing small businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking mentorship, structure, and resources. Participants gain access to a dedicated workspace, technology, faculty-guided student interns, expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and connections to regional partners and the Chicagoland business ecosystem through a collaboration with the Heller College of Business. Open to entrepreneurs at any stage, applications are now open. Learn more and apply to join the 2026 cohort here.

Illinois Green Business Grant Program 

The Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) and Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, have partnered to help small businesses in five states, including Illinois, save energy and money by implementing energy efficiency upgrades so businesses can operate more sustainably. For a limited time, rebates up to $1,500 will be awarded to more than 100 businesses nationally. This rebate program may help small businesses reduce utility costs, upgrade current equipment, reduce energy use and emissions, and be recognized for their environmental actions. Click here to learn more and apply by February 2, 2026.

2026 Small Business Resolutions