Cook County Small Business Source Seeking Business Support Organization Partners for 2027

COOK COUNTY, IL—The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED) recently announced that applications are open for organizations to serve as Business Support Organizations (BSOs) with the Cook County Small Business Source (The Source) throughout fiscal year 2027.

BED will select up to 20 organizations to serve as BSOs, providing no-cost advising services to small businesses throughout Cook County. Applications are due Aug. 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. A webinar outlining the application process will be held July 28, 2026, at 10 a.m. Details are available on the BED open call webpage.

“The Source is a nationally recognized network that provides invaluable resources to thousands of small businesses countywide, and our BSOs play a pivotal role as trusted advisors addressing business owners’ needs,” said Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Chief Xochitl Flores. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and BSOs provide the expertise and guidance to build a pathway for growth.”

The Source’s BSOs provide one-on-one business advising tailored to Cook County business owners’ needs, as well as classes, workshops and other group learning opportunities.

Eligible applicants must be business-facing nonprofit organizations in Cook County with prior experience in the Cook County Small Business Source program or an equivalent contracted role with the City of Chicago or State of Illinois.

Organizations may apply at one of three funding levels. Selected BSOs will cultivate The Source’s clients and must have capacity to meet advising requirements that range from 15 to 100 sessions per month, depending on the funding level. 

The grant terms for this program coincide with the County’s fiscal year, from Dec. 1, 2026, through Nov. 30, 2027. The County may offer an extension of up to two years, depending on performance and funding availability.

The Source is an award-winning program serving Cook County’s small businesses by connecting them to capital, support and a broad array of resources within County government and throughout the region. Established in 2021, The Source has served more than 36,000 small businesses.

In an impact survey of The Source’s 2024 clients, 80% of participants said they would recommend The Source to other entrepreneurs, 70% said their BSO advisors helped them create clear action plans and 63% said their advisors met their unique needs.

For more information, visit the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development’s open call webpage.

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