Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant: deadline, amount and who can apply
The Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pays $500,000 to $5.2 million per award (Round 3); $20.8 million for about 8 awards, to grocery stores opening in Illinois food deserts. The current deadline is December 9, 2026, according to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Only for businesses opening a new grocery store in an Illinois food desert. Checked October 4, 2026.
Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant at a glance
| Amount | $500,000 to $5.2 million per award (Round 3); $20.8 million for about 8 awards |
|---|---|
| Deadline | December 9, 2026 |
| Who can apply | Businesses opening a new grocery store in an Illinois food desert |
| Application fee | No fee listed on the funder's page |
| Official application | Apply on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity site ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
| Last verified | October 4, 2026 How we verify |
| Funder | Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity |
Round 3 grants of $500,000 to $5.2 million to open independently owned grocery stores in Illinois food deserts, reimbursing eligible capital and non-capital costs. About 8 awards from $20.8 million; applications close December 9, 2026. A companion program funds equipment upgrades for existing independent grocers.
Eligibility
What the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity page requires, as recorded when we checked it. The funder's own rules are the final word.
- Open to businesses in IL
- For businesses in food or retail
- For businesses with 500 employees or fewer
- Only for businesses opening a new grocery store in an Illinois food desert.
How to apply
Applications go through Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity directly, on its own site. Read the current rules and deadline there before you start.
Apply on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity site ↗ (opens in a new tab)Straight answers
When is the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant deadline?
The Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant deadline is December 9, 2026. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity lists December 9, 2026 as the close of the current round.
Who can apply for the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant?
Open to businesses in IL. For businesses in food or retail. For businesses with 500 employees or fewer. Only for businesses opening a new grocery store in an Illinois food desert. These are the requirements recorded when we checked the funder's page on October 4, 2026. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity decides who is selected.
How much is the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant?
The Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant pays $500,000 to $5.2 million per award (Round 3); $20.8 million for about 8 awards, according to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
How do I apply for the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant?
Applications go through Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on its own site, dceo.illinois.gov. Application fee: No fee listed on the funder's page.
Is the Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant legit?
The Illinois New Stores in Food Deserts grant is run by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. WinAGrant checked the funder's own page for this grant on October 4, 2026. WinAGrant is not affiliated with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Your odds
Popular national grants draw many applicants. Your quiz matches often include smaller grants with fewer applicants.
Related grant pages
Want help with the application?
When you find a grant that fits, WinAGrant's AI grant writer can draft the application with you, built from your answers and the funder's own rules.
See how the grant writer worksWhat $25 includes
- One full first draft in your voice, written from your answers
- Built on 28 rules from federal reviewer guidance and the funder's own criteria
- Sent to a second AI reviewer before you see it
- An editable Word file and a PDF to keep
What you still do
- Pay any application fee the funder charges. It goes to the funder, not to us.
- If the funder asks for documents, add them. Your draft comes with the list.
- Read it, change anything you like, and submit it on the funder's own site.
From a real draft for a sample business. Yours is written from your answers. Read the full sample draft →