Chicago Innovation Awards
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round
- Tracked since
- April 2026
From the program guidelines: “Chicago Innovation Awards LLC operates a year-round series of activities aimed at celebrating innovators in the Chicago region.”
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Geography
- In the Chicago region within the last 4 years
Other requirements
- _You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website](https://chicagoinnovation.com/nominations/)._
Overview
_NOTE: There is no fee to nominate, and we encourage organizations to self-nominate._
About Chicago Innovation
Our mission is to empower the Chicago innovation ecosystem by educating, connecting, and celebrating innovators.
Chicago Innovation Awards LLC operates a year-round series of activities aimed at celebrating innovators in the Chicago region. The Chicago Innovation Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit that provides educational events and programs to people interested in learning about innovation and entrepreneurship.
About the Chicago Innovation Award
To be considered, the innovation must have been developed in the Chicago region within the last 4 years.
The following winners are publicly honored at the Chicago Innovation Awards each year:
* Main Category Awards
* Up-and-Comer Awards
* People’s Choice Award
* Social Innovator Award
* Wintrust Neighborhood Awards
* Molex Creating Connections for Life Award
* Accenture Corporate Innovator Award
* SMS Assist Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
* Climate Champion Award
The key things we're looking for in this application are:
* What problem are you solving?
* What is your solution?
* What new value is your solution creating?
* How is your solution unique?
* What is the market impact?
Eligibility
_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._
* To be considered, the innovation must have been developed in the Chicago region within the last 4 years.
What The Chicago Innovation Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 4
- Total given
- $16K
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Range
- $1,000–$5,000
- By dollars: Illinois 100%. Top recipient cities: Chicago, IL.
Example grants
Chicago Inventors Organization · Chicago, IL
Provides resources to inventors
$5,000
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago · Chicago, IL
Provide resources to the community
$5,000
The Village Chicago · Chicago, IL
Enhance the quality of life
$5,000
The Chicago Help Initiative · Chicago, IL
Providing access to food, health ser
$1,000
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Startups
Categories
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