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Chicago Innovation Awards

The Chicago Innovation Foundation

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

IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Startups

Categories

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