This webinar provides a practical overview of grant opportunities administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) that may be relevant to small businesses. Participants will learn how to find current and past DCEO grants, understand eligibility requirements, and interpret key grant documents such as Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). While grants are not always open for small businesses, this session will help attendees better assess whether a DCEO grant is a good fit when opportunities arise. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: How to Find and Evaluate DCEO Grants An overview of where DCEO grants are posted, how to determine relevance, and what eligibility criteria to review first. Understanding a NOFO and Key Grant Requirements A breakdown of common NOFO sections, match requirements, and compliance considerations businesses often overlook. What to Expect After You Apply A high-level look at application timelines, award decisions, and grant administration responsibilities if funded. OUR SPEAKER/s: Name: Lauren Gibson, AICP, has been with the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) since 2021, and has been the Senior Regional Economic Development Manager for the North Central Region since July 2024. She began her career as an intern with the DCEO while completing her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2014. In the decade since, she has gained experience working in economic development and planning at both the municipal and county levels, leading projects related to business attraction and expansion, historic preservation, comprehensive and neighborhood planning, and data collection and analysis. She is passionate about bridging the gap between the worlds of planning and economic development as they share the same ultimate goal of improving the communities we call home. Mark Adams is the North Central Region Manager for DCEO’s Office of Regional Economic Development (aka Team RED). Originally born in Easton, Pennsylvania, Adams moved to Bloomington-Normal in 2014. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago in May 2018, and since then has worked for community development organizations, including Mid-Central Community Action and McLean County Regional Planning Commission, before finally joining “Team RED” in January 2025. He is passionate about helping small businesses become more financially stable and independent and is driven to help people where they are at. When he is not reading a book in his free time, he is likely playing with his two Boston Terriers Luna and Phoebe or hanging out with his wife.