What are the minimum and maximum awards available through the grant?
Applicants who are eligible will have the opportunity to receive between $5,000 and $250,000.
How will the grant award amounts be determined?
DCEO will determine grant award amounts on declines in revenues experienced between 2019 and 2020 or between 2019 and 2021, whichever is greater.
o For-profits: Decline in gross receipts
o Nonprofits: Decline in earned revenue (program service revenue), contributed revenue (contributions and grants), or total revenue, whichever of the three types had a greater decline
o Funding amounts for businesses or organizations that have already received a BIG or B2B grant will be based on declines in revenues or gross receipts from 2019 to 2021 (as opposed to the year with the greater decline).
Applicants who launched businesses in early 2020 and do not have a comparison to 2019 are eligible to receive $5,000.
What can I use this money for?
These funds may be used on any operational or capital expense for the business or
organization receiving the funds.
Does the award need to be repaid?
No. Awards are state grants that do not need to be repaid.
How will applications be reviewed, and will all eligible applications receive funding?
DCEO has $50 million available through the B2B Arts program. All eligible businesses that meet the criteria and submit all of the program documentation will receive funding.
Is this grant taxable income?
Generally, yes, this would be considered taxable income. All awardees will receive a 1099 at the end of the tax year. However, qualifying grants are not subject to state business and occupation (B&O) tax, public utility tax, or retail sales tax.
What kind of reporting will be required as a recipient of these funds?
There will be no reporting requirement. However, each awardee will be required to self-attest and certify to the information provided in their application and complete bank wire instructions to receive the funding, if and when it is awarded.
Do you have a more specific eligibility question? The Arts Alliance I Help Desk team is here to assist! Submit a ticket with your question to receive individualized support from one of our Help Desk Agents
Arts Alliance Illinois is serving as a Community Navigator for the Illinois Creative Recovery grant opportunity to share information about the grant and provide potential applicants with technical assistance. Arts Alliance Illinois cannot make final determinations regarding eligibility and will not play a role in determining grant awards. For more information about the Illinois Creative Recovery grants, visit the DCEO website at illinois.gov/b2b
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article