Organization · Grant Maker
Cook County Small Business Source
Cook County Small Business Source, also known as The Source, is a government program aimed at supporting small businesses in Cook County through advising, resources, events, and funding access.
Overview
What Cook County Small Business Source does
What Cook County Small Business Source is
Cook County Small Business Source, also known as The Source, is a government program aimed at supporting small businesses in Cook County through advising, resources, events, and funding access.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports grantor and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 2020
- Approximate age
- About 6 years
- Structured capabilities
- Grantor · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 25, 2026
Official channels
Find Cook County Small Business Source elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Cook County Small Business Source as a grantor
Grant thesis
The Cook County Small Business Source supports small businesses in Cook County, Illinois, by providing expert guidance, resources, and access to events to help them recover and thrive post-COVID-19.
Focus narrative
The Cook County Small Business Source focuses on providing no-cost business advising, resources, and access to events specifically for small businesses located in Cook County, particularly those with fewer than 20 employees. The initiative aims to assist businesses in various sectors, including construction, finance and insurance, IT/tech, manufacturing, professional services, and real estate.
Value and support
Beyond funding, the Cook County Small Business Source provides expert guidance, resources, and access to a network of partner organizations that support small businesses in various aspects of growth and development.
Grant economics
- Grant range
- $100,000
- Typical grant
- $100,000
- Grants per year
- 88
- Dilutive
- No
- Nonprofit only
- No
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Eligibility and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Inclusion focus
- women-founded and minority-founded
- Regions
- United States
Process and recipient context
Application process
Eligible businesses can apply for the Catalyst Grant program, which offers grants of up to $100,000 to support their growth. The program is designed for for-profit businesses located in Cook County that can demonstrate business growth. Interested applicants can find more information and apply through the Cook County Small Business Source website.
Capability profile
Cook County Small Business Source as a community
Community overview
The Cook County Small Business Source is an initiative established to support small businesses in Cook County, Illinois. It connects small business owners with expert guidance and resources to help them grow and thrive. The program is part of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and aims to assist businesses in recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.
Community focus
The Cook County Small Business Source provides no-cost business advising, resources, and access to events for small businesses. It targets businesses located in Cook County, particularly those with fewer than 20 employees. The initiative focuses on various sectors, including construction, finance and insurance, IT/tech, manufacturing, professional services, and real estate.
Member value
Members benefit from expert guidance, resources, and access to events designed to support small business growth. The initiative collaborates with various partner organizations to enhance the support available to small businesses.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Operators
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Sectors
- Fintech
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
The Source hosts various events aimed at connecting small business owners with resources and knowledge. Examples include a Webinar Series in collaboration with the Women’s Business Development Center, covering topics such as contracting with Cook County Government, credit, marketing, and access to capital, as well as regular Small Business Events that address a range of important topics.
Notable members
The Source collaborates with over 30 partner organizations, known as Business Support Organizations (BSOs), including 36Squared Business Incubator, Allies for Community Business, and the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council.
Common questions
What to know about Cook County Small Business Source
Upseed classifies Cook County Small Business Source under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes grantor and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 25, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.