Member Grants

Are you a local business that wants to apply for a Member Grant?

 

Eligibility
 

Grant amount:

Applicants that meet all program requirements may receive a grant of up to $500 per request.

​

Applicants must:

• Be a Member of the West Town Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about how to become a Member here. 

• Be located within the WTCC’s service area: Division to Hubbard and Halsted to Kedzie.

• Be hosting an event involving six or more Chamber Member businesses.

​

Examples of previous successful grants include a corridor wide sidewalk sale and Small Business Saturday passport program.

 

Proposals should:

• Have the potential to reoccur

• Create foot traffic in the neighborhood.

• Foster positive partnerships between local businesses.

• Preference given to events that serve an under-represented business district in West Town.
   

If you’re still in the idea phase and in need of connections with fellow Members, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to brainstorm with you and facilitate introductions to create some unique connections!

​

Guidelines

​

Grants can be used for:

• Supplies or programming fees that would assist in lowering costs for participating businesses

• Marketing materials

• Small events with a total budget of less than $2,500

 

Grants cannot be used for:

• Activities that benefit less than six businesses

• Activities held as an extension of existing  WTCC-organized events & programming (i.e. West Town First Fridays, West Town Art, Sip & Shop, etc). 

• Fundraisers

• Large events with a total budget of $2,500 or more

 

Event requirements:

• Obtain the appropriate permits, as required.

• Follow WTCC marketing guidelines (see below). Submission of a post-event report that includes attendance, revenue, and photos of programming.

 

Marketing requirements:

• Include the WTCC logo on any & all print or digital materials that promote the event. Logos in all available brand colors will be provided.

• Tagging @westtownchicago in all social posts (caption & photo).

• Submit event for publication in the “What’s Happening in West Town” newsletter. 

​​​​​​

Process

​

We review Member Grants on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted one month prior to the scheduled event. 
 

Each Chamber Member is eligible for a maximum of one grant awarded per year. If the grant is declined the business can apply for a new grant for a different event. WTCC currently has funding for a total of six grants each year. WTCC may request additional information after application review.
 

Reimbursement

If awarded a grant, funding will be paid in two installments, with 50% awarded prior to programming and 50% after the event, with submission of receipts and post event report.