New Grants + A New Chapter for Mama Africa’s Marketplace

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | VOLUME 55| January 22, 2026

Ifarinu Williams, founder of Mama Africa’s Marketplace, and her daughter Asia inside their store. Photo Credit: Corli Jay

Today’s Feature: Mama Africa’s Marketplace

Despite an unprecedented groundswell of community support, recent media coverage in major news outlets, and a lightning grassroots fundraising campaign raising upwards of $30K in less than a month, Mama Africa’s Marketplace is slated to close its doors by tomorrow, January 23rd. Today, Thursday January 22nd, will be the last day that patrons can shop, give well wishes, and honor the institution that has supported them for 5 years in this location.

A host of items including African clothing for children and adults, accessories, home decor, soaps and butters, and much more are still available in-store for purchase today. Patrons can stop by 2100 E. 71st Street in South Shore today until 8PM.

Mama Africa’s story shines a light on many concerns for residents in South Shore and beyond - rising property taxes, gentrification, and potential displacement of businesses and families.

The future for Mama Africa’s Marketplace is still to be determined. Follow them on @mama_africas_markeplace on Instagram to hear directly from them what’s to come. You can still support their fundraiser as they search for opportunities to secure a new space, or contact Ifarinu at mamaafricasmarkeplace@gmail.com with information on available resources or spaces.

Funder: Chicago Dancemakers Forum
Grant Program: Dance Project Grants
Award/Opportunity: $10,000
Application Closes: February 2, 2026
Funding Area: Dance (Individual Artist)

This new funding program provides ten individual dancemakers with $10,000 USD to produce a dance performance or event within one year of the grant agreement. In addition to the project funding, Chicago Dancemakers Forum will provide basic marketing support and video documentation of the final project.
Virtual drop-in office hours will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, January 22 (5:30-7:30pm CST)
Friday, January 23 (1:00-3:00pm CST)
Tuesday, January 27 (11:00am-1:00pm CST)
Apply by Monday, February 5th at 5PM.
Access full guidelines, FAQ, information session replay and application at chicagodancemakersforum.org

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NEXT 30 DAYS

Funder: Arts Midwest / NEA - NEA Big Read
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000 (Matching Grant)
Application Closes: January 29, 2026 (Full Application)
Funding Area: Literature-centered Programming (Organizations)

Funder: Arts Midwest- Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools Program
Maximum Grant Size: $25,000 (Matching Grant)
Application Closes: January 29, 2026 (Intent to Apply)
Funding Area: Shakespeare related performances & education for middle/high school (501c3)

Funder: Arts Midwest - Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice Program
Maximum Grant Size: $25,000
Application Closes: January 29, 2026 (Intent to Apply)
Funding Area: Shakespeare related performances & education for juvenile justice facilities (501c3)

Funder: Arts Midwest - Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeship Program
Maximum Grant Size: $30,000 (Matching Grant)
Application Closes: January 29, 2026 (Intent to Apply)
Funding Area: Apprenticeships (theater) (501c3)

Funder: Levitt Foundation - 2026 Festival Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $5,000
Application Closes: January 30, 2026
Funding Area: Music Festivals (Organizations)

Funder: Luminarts Cultural Foundation - Luminarts Fellowships
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: February 1, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Classical Music, & Jazz Improvisation (Individual Artist)

Funder: National Trust for Historic Preservation - African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, National Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000
Application Closes: February 6, 2026
Funding Area: Historic Preservation (Organizations)

Funder: National Trust for Historic Preservation - African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, Conserving Black Modernism
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000
Application Closes: February 6, 2026
Funding Area: Historic Preservation (Organizations)

Funder: Crossroads Fund - Seed Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: February 10, 2026
Funding Area: Social change (Organization /Collective)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Grants for Arts Projects, Pt. 1
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: February 12, 2026
Funding Area: All Arts Disciplines + Arts Education (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Community Trust: Community & Civic Leadership RFP (LOI)
Maximum Grant Size: $75,000
Application Closes: February 12, 2026
Funding Area: Social Change/Leadership (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Community Development Grant (Small)
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: February 13, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organizations)

Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Community Development Grant (Medium)
Maximum Grant Size: $5,000,000
Application Closes: February 13, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organizations)

Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Opportunity Fund (Quarterly Grant)
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: February 13, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organizations)

Funder: Salt Lick Incubator - Artist Project Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: February 15, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Singer/Songwriter)

Funder: Terra Foundation - Convening Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $25,000
Application Closes: February 16, 2026 (Letter of Inquiry)
Funding Area: Visual Arts focus (Organization)

Funder: AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits - Capacity Building
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: February 16, 2026
Funding Area: Social Change

Funder: Illinois Arts Council - Creative Learning Grants for Schools
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: February 18, 2026
Funding Area: Art Education (School)

Funder: Ben & Jerry's Foundation - National Grassroots Organizing Program
Maximum Grant Size: $30,000 max (2 yr grants)
Application Closes: February 18, 2026
Funding Area: Grassroots Organizing (Organizations)

NEXT 60 DAYS

Funder: Mid Atlantic Arts - US Artists International Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $11,000 (Matching Grant)
Application Closes: February 25, 2026
Funding Area: Music: international tours (individuals / ensembles)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Grants for Arts Projects, Pt. 2
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: February 25, 2026
Funding Area: All Arts Disciplines + Arts Education (Organization)

Funder: New Music USA - New Music, Inc Incubator Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $8000 + 18-month Cohort Mentorship
Application Closes: February 26, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Organization)

Funder: Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works
Minimum Grant Size: $9,000 (see guidelines for details)
Application Closes: February 26, 2026
Funding Area: Music - Jazz (Individuals / Ensembles)

Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (119th/Halsted | 47th/Ashland | Avalon Park/South Shore | Chicago/Central Park | Lawrence/Pulaski)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 commercial | $250,000 industrial
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)

Funder: Terra Foundation - Exhibition Grant (LOI)
Maximum Grant Size: $200,000
Application Closes: March 6, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Art (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Community Trust - Sponsorships
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: March 12, 2026
Funding Area: Events, Panels, Forums (organization)

Funder: League of Chicago Theaters - ComEd Powering the Arts
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: March 13, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organization)

Funder: Artist Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $1,200
Application Closes: March 15, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Organization)

Funder: Illinois Arts Council General Operating Support and Youth Employment in the Arts
Maximum Grant Size: YEA Max = $4,500 | GOS Max = determined by funding formula
Application Closes: March 18, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines, Youth in Arts (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Community Trust: Community & Civic Leadership RFP (Invite Only)
Maximum Grant Size: $75,000
Application Closes: March 19, 2026
Funding Area: Social Change/Leadership (Organization)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Research Grants in the Arts, Pt. 1
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: March 23, 2026
Funding Area: Arts Research (Organization)

Funder: Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: $2,000
Application Closes: March 27, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organization or Individual)

Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (47th/King Drive | 63rd/Pulaski | 87th/Cottage Grove | Central West | Ewing Avenue)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 commercial | $250,000 industrial
Application Closes: March 30, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Research Grants in the Arts, Pt. 2
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: April 2, 2026
Funding Area: Arts Research (Organizations)

Rolling Grants

Funder: Arts Work Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Capacity Building/Planning (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund - Racial Justice Community Organizing Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $50,000
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Racial Justice (Organizations / Collectives)

Funder: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+): Emergency Relief Grant
Grant/Award: $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Emergency relief for Craft Artists (Individual)

Funder: New Music USA--Reel Change: Fund for Diversity in Film Scoring
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Music (Artist)

Funder: Epiphany Center for the Arts - Call for Exhibitions
Maximum Grant Size: Exhibition platform / space (see guidelines for details)
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Artist)

To view additional rolling grants please visit this link!

STRATEGY & TIPS

Grant Tip of the Week: Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Grant

Many organizations delay applying because they don’t meet every requirement listed. Funders often expect applicants to meet most, not all, criteria. If your mission strongly aligns and you can clearly demonstrate impact, it’s usually worth applying.

Pro tip: Use the narrative to explain how funding will help you grow into the areas where you’re still building capacity.

At Bustling Spaces, we believe that a successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach that combines precision, creativity, and strategic planning.

Tell City Council to keep arts funding strong in Chicago’s 2026 budget! Contact your alderperson and urge them to support cultural grants and programs in this year's budget. Contact Your Alderman

Take a closer look at what’s in (and what’s not) for arts and culture in Chicago’s FY26 budget. Read Arts Alliance full analysis for key takeaways and context. Read Arts Alliance’s Analysis

Looking for convenient access to our Newsletter? In addition to receiving biweekly updates, you can also locate the latest newsletter on our website under Programs > Newsletter Catalogue .

Looking for Space on the Southside?

South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces

Check out our interactive map of the congregations that are participating in the South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces program. Here’s the link to the map.

Additional Funding Opportunities & Informational Resources:
Explore more funding avenues! Discover additional resources promoting diverse grants, residencies and other opportunities for artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses. Unleash new possibilities and fuel your artistic journey!

The world of public funding can be overwhelming for creatives. That's why the Arts Alliance Help Desk is here. From running list of public funding opportunities to expert staff who can help you find support for your arts practice or navigate a tricky grant application, the AAI Help Desk is there to make sure nonprofits, individual artists, creative business and beyond can thrive. Visit them at https://artsalliance.org/support!
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