Technical Assistance Grant Program
🏛 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Oct 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing technical assistance to small businesses participating in Illinois' State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community development organizations, and other service providers able to offer legal, accounting, and financial advisory services. Recipients must serve very small businesses (VSBs) and businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI-owned).
The program operates in Illinois only. Grantees provide TA to businesses applying for or already receiving SSBCI capital funding. Eligible expenses are costs of delivering legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to eligible beneficiary businesses.
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Program description
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the SSBCI implementing entity for the State of Illinois. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), DCEO is seeking grantees to provide technical assistance to eligible VSB and SEDI-owned businesses that are applying for, preparing to apply for, or have previously applied for a SSBCI capital program or other federal or other jurisdiction small business program. The SSBCI VC TA Program is intended to provide grant funds to eligible recipients to provide legal, accounting, and financial advisory services either directly or through legal, accounting, or financial advisory firms to very small businesses (VSB) and business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI-owned businesses) that are applying for, preparing to apply for, or have previously applied for a SSBCI capital program or other federal or other jurisdiction small business program. Eligible expenses under this opportunity include the costs of providing legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to eligible beneficiaries. In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.455, costs required for the establishment or reorganization of a recipient, subrecipient, or contractor under an award are generally not eligible. Beneficiaries: Businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI ) or very small businesses (VSBs ) participating in, or seeking assistance from the state’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) -funded program. Federal Assistance Listing: 21.031 — State Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance Grant Program. Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 420-35-2932).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NOFO application form
- Organizational capacity/background documentation
- Detailed service delivery plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status (if applicable)
- Evidence of partnerships with legal/accounting firms (if subcontracting)
Program contact
- 👤 Shivani Chokshi
- 📧 ceo.ssbci.vc.ta@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 21.031 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$10,912,188
-
$6,830,727
-
$5,517,949
-
$3,885,940
-
$3,848,992
-
$3,840,744
-
$3,467,156
-
$3,300,281
-
$3,139,321
-
$3,102,893
Top States by Funding
- NY 2 awards $11.2M
- IL 1 awards $6.8M
- PA 1 awards $5.5M
- AZ 2 awards $4.8M
- OK 8 awards $4.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2023 | $47,594,806 | |
| 2024 | $6,450,000 | |
| 2025 | $190,053,602 | |
| 2026 | $204,907,984 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Organizations that can provide legal, accounting, or financial advisory services to small businesses. This includes nonprofits, CDCs, and service providers.
What geographic area does this cover?
Illinois only. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
What businesses can receive the technical assistance?
Very small businesses (VSBs) and businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals seeking SSBCI capital program support.
What types of services are covered?
Legal, accounting, and financial advisory services provided directly or through contracted professional firms.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this grant program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on your organization's track record serving underrepresented entrepreneurs and small business communities.
- Clearly describe the advisory services you'll provide and which professional staff or contractors will deliver them.
- Document partnerships with legal, accounting, or financial firms if you'll subcontract services.
- Explain how you'll reach eligible VSBs and SEDI-owned businesses in your service area.
- Show your understanding of SSBCI programs and the capital funding landscape in Illinois.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear description of who will provide services. Insufficient evidence of experience serving SEDI-owned or very small businesses. Vague about how advisory services will be delivered or measured for impact.
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