October 2025

The Catalyst Grant

The Catalyst Grant, Cook County’s latest investment in businesses that are poised for growth, is now accepting applications!



Apply by October 31 at 5 pm.

A4CB and WBDC are the program administrators.

Eligible businesses must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a for-profit business located in Cook County 
• Have at least one full-time employee in addition to the owner (in Q4 2024 and at time of application)
• Have documented revenue of between $500,000 and $10 million (in both 2023 and 2024)
• Operate in an eligible industry: construction, finance and insurance, information technology (IT), manufacturing, professional services, or real estate 

Apply

NEIGHBORHOOD RETAIL ACTIVATION PROGRAM 

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced four Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the Neighborhood Retail Activation Program. These initiatives seek out partnerships with local community and economic development organizations to assist businesses impacted by the 2023 and 2024 summer storms and bring new vitality to vacant storefronts along commercial corridors in:

Austin, Belmont Cragin and West Garfield Park.  

Four Delegate Agencies will be selected, one for each RFP representing a different community area and commercial corridor: 

·     Austin: Chicago Ave. between Austin Blvd. and Cicero Ave. (RFP #57082) 

·     Austin: Madison St. between Austin Blvd. and Laramie Ave. (RFP #57083) 

·     Belmont Cragin: Belmont Ave./Central Ave. Commercial Corridor (RFP# 57081) 

·     West Garfield Park: Madison St. between Kostner Ave. and Hamlin Blvd. (RFP# 57084) 

These selected Delegate Agencies will be responsible for identifying move-in ready vacant storefronts, negotiating short-term leases, and facilitating a goal of five pop-up activations per commercial corridor, with community markets or other commercial activations. Additionally, the Delegate Agencies will provide comprehensive technical assistance to participating small businesses, including support in marketing, business development, operational planning and securing long-term leases. This model is designed to provide immediate exposure and long-term stability for local entrepreneurs. 

Four awards, up to $1,250,000 each, will be granted through these RFPs. The anticipated contract term is up to two years, with the option of a one-year renewal. Activations are expected to begin as early as January 2026. 

Requests for Proposal submissions must be completed by October 31, 2025, before 12:00 p.m CDT (NOON). An optional virtual pre-submittal conference will be held on October 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m to clarify the RFP process and scope of services. 

For information about this RFP and to register for the pre-submittal conference, please visit the City’s eProcurement website at Cityofchicago.org/eProcurement and search by the designated RFP number.

For more information, visit Chicago.gov/BACPRetail

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Applications open now for NOF grants

Eligible projects can submit materials ahead of the next quarterly application deadline on Friday, November 14.

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides capital development grants up to $250,000 for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors. NOF grants are provided as reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible project expenses with a maximum grant of $250,000. Applicants may qualify for additional funding for Technical Assistance.

APPLY NOW

Click Here

October Free Webinars

Leyes Laborales de Chicago- Actualizaciones a los documentos de preguntas frecuentes y una nueva página web interactiva.

Business Operations & Licensing Legal Finance

October 9th 2025

10:00 am to 10:45 am

Presentado por Kelvia Lara, Supervisora de Normas Laborales, Oficina de Normas Laborales

Se han actualizado los documentos de preguntas frecuentes sobre el Salario Mínimo, la Semana Laboral Justa y el Tiempo Pagado y Tiempo Pagado por Enfermedad. Hablaremos sobre estos cambios junto con la presentación de una nueva página web interactiva que incluirá paneles de datos en tiempo real sobre quejas y resultados de investigación. Además, al final habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas.

Registrese Aqui

Storefront Ready for 2026

Finance Business Operations & Licensing Technology

October 10th 2025

9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by Sarah Wilson, Uptown United & Uptown Chamber of Commerce

Considering taking your business from home to a storefront? Join us and learn how to determine if you're ready for brick and mortar, what you need before signing a lease, and how to avoid common pitfalls as best you can.

Register 

Crafting a Pitch Deck That Wins: 90-Minute Power Session

Marketing Finance Business Operations & Licensing

October 15th 2025

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by Cheryl Hudson-Jackson; Director- Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center, Cheryl Hudson-Jackson; Director- Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center

Whether you're raising your first round or your fifth, your pitch deck is your startup’s first impression—and it needs to be powerful. In this fast-paced, hands-on 90-minute session, you'll learn how to create a pitch deck that grabs attention, tells a compelling story, and gets investors excited. From the must-have slides to pro tips that separate you from the pack, we’ll break down exactly what investors look for and how to deliver it with clarity and confidence. You’ll walk away with the tools, templates, and tactics to make your next pitch your best yet.

Register

Empower Hour: Na Zdrowie Hospitality

Business Operations & Licensing Marketing Finance

October 16th 2025

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

In honor and recognition of Polish American Heritage Month, celebrated in October, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Art Wnorowski and Gosia Pieniazek, Founders of Na Zdrowie Hospitality.

Na Zdrowie Hospitality oversees family-owned restaurants serving fun and heritage-driven Polish eats. Their restaurants include Pierogi Kitchen, Wurst Behavior, and Earl's BBQ. Their most recent restaurant, Spoko, opened earlier this year in Lincoln Park offering a modern take on Polish street food. Art and Gosia have focused on transforming previous restaurant spaces into new concepts that showcase their culture. Each restaurant blends traditional flavors with new spins to create delicious dishes for new and repeat customers exploring Polish cuisine.

The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, site selection, relationship building and cultural influence. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.

Register

Financial Statements Don't Have to be Spooky!

Finance Business Operations & Licensing Technology

October 17th 2025

9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by National Association of Women Owners (NAWBO) member Angie Noll, Founder of Reconciled Solutions

Does thinking about your income statement send shivers down your spine? Are you spooked by the thought of updating your balance sheet? Is reviewing your cashflow a nightmare? Many business owners are intimidated by their financial reports--but they don’t have to be scary. Those reports actually have an important story to tell about the business, and understanding that story is crucial to achieving sustainable growth. Walk away from this session with the tools and knowledge you need to make informed financial decisions and drive the success of your small biz.

Register

Friday

Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.

Visit BACP’s YouTube for all webinars.

 Renew Your Dues/Join/Sponsor/Donate

Your donations are tax deductible! 

Without your support GNCDC would not have grown to be the great organization that it is today. It is through hard work and support from all the GNCDC members that we continue to make a difference and help grow our community. Membership dues help GNCDC provide the grants, events and programs that help members grow their businesses. Please pay your membership dues in a timely fashion. You can submit a payment online at your earliest convenience.

GNCDC would kindly like to remind all of our members - that without your support we would not exist. Renew, Join Sponsor, Donate today!

Newsletter, October 2025

Visit us at GNCDC.org