This is the online application to apply for a grant through the Northalsted SSA 18 Digital Marketing Grant. If you have any questions while completing this application, email [email protected] or call 773-883-0500.

Program Guidelines

1. Description

The Digital Marketing Grant (the “Program”) was created and approved by the Northalsted Special Service Area 18 (“SSA 18”) Commission in emergency response to COVID-19. The Program is funded by SSA 18 and administered by the Northalsted Business Alliance (“Chamber”). The goal of the Program is to support local businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak by providing incentives in the form of a grant to businesses located on the SSA 18 service corridors that invest in a digital marketing and social media strategy through working with a digital marketing or social media consultant, purchasing online ads (e.g., Google ads), or use of social media boosting. Communities have been confronted with the need to quickly adapt to the current environment and shift their operations to an online presence, and these measures are meant to support this transitional period so that locally-owned businesses can continue to promote their work, keep local dollars local, and stimulate economic activity across Northalsted. This grant is intended to assist businesses with their digital marketing efforts since March 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020. 

Applicants that meet all Program requirements outlined in this application may receive a one time grant of $250 for reimbursement of eligible expenses. Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19 and its impacts on businesses, the SSA 18 Commission reserves the right to implement additional Eligibility Requirements as it deems reasonable, and change or end the program at any time. 

2. Eligible Applicants

1. Applicants must be located on the following SSA 18 service area corridors:
   • Halsted Street (Belmont to Grace)
   • Broadway (Grace to Irving Park)
   • Clarendon Avenue – West Side (Broadway to Irving Park)
2. Applicants may only seek this grant for the below measures that are used to promote their business:
   • Use of an outside digital media, digital marketing and / or social media consultant
   • Purchasing online ads (e.g., Google ads; Facebook ads)
   • Social media boosting (defined as: paying to have your posts show up as sponsored content on non-followers’ timelines in order to increase digital exposure and audience-reach.)
3. Applicants must be the entity paying for the project. 
4. Applicants must comply with all requirements and deadlines set forth in these Guidelines and Application and respond to any questions in a timely manner.

3. Eligible Projects

Applicants may apply to receive a grant for the payment of an outside digital media, digital marketing and / or social media consultant, purchase of online ads, and purchase of social media boosting. The Commission reserves the right to reject any questionable estimates, as well as implement such additional Program rules and regulations as it deems reasonable as well as request proof of consultant services.. Additional conditions that may determine Program eligibility are outlined below.

1. 1. Applicants may only use funds for the promotion of their business located on the SSA 18 service corridors.
   2. Projects must meet Program guidelines and are subject to review by the SSA 18 Commission.

Applicants or projects that are not eligible to receive a grant include:

1. 1. Businesses not located on the SSA 18 service corridors.
   2. Co-branded marketing featuring businesses located outside of our service area.

4. Grant Amounts

Applicants that meet all Program requirements outlined in this document may receive a grant of up to $250 of eligible costs. Grants are awarded only after the applicant is approved by the SSA 18 Board of Commissioners and all required documentation has been submitted to the Chamber. In case applications exceed current funding, the SSA 18 Commission and the Northalsted Business Alliance will ensure fair and impartial distribution of grants by employing a lottery system to determine funding order and creating a waitlist for funding should it become available. The SSA 18 Board of Commissioners may award a grant at an amount less than the allowable maximum.

5. Application Process

Applications are subject to review and approval by the SSA 18 Board of Commissioners and a business shall only be awarded a grant once, subject to funding availability. To apply for a grant through the Digital Marketing Grant, applicants must complete the following online application with a list of receipts and written explanation of expenses. Completed applications will be reviewed on the 1st and 15th day of each month, or closest corresponding business day if those dates land on a weekend or holiday. In case applications exceed current funding, the SSA 18 Commission and the Northalsted Business Alliance will ensure fair and impartial distribution of rebates by employing a lottery system to determine funding order and creating a waitlist for funding should it become available. The SSA 18 Board of Commissioners may award a rebate at an amount less than the allowable maximum. Paper applications submitted via mail will not be considered eligible.

6. Review Process

Due to the sudden and pressing need to provide businesses with urgent relief, applications will forgo a formal SSA 18 Commission vote and will be reviewed and approved in writing by a minimum of two SSA 18 Commissioners. The SSA 18 Commissioners will review and accept or reject each completed application in their sole and absolute discretion, including determination as to which submitted projects meet the Program guidelines. Upon receipt of application, the SSA 18 Commissioners will have five business business days to review and issue inquiries related to the application. Once applicants respond to all inquiries in full, the SSA 18 Commissioners will issue their final decision to applicants via email.

7. Project Implementation

Applicant may submit expenses beginning March 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020 as part of this grant period. Work must be completed in accordance with the program guidelines and must meet the criteria of qualifying expenses.

8. Grant Request and Distribution

Once the project has been completed, the applicant must request the grant by submitting the following documentation as part of their application:

1. 1. Completion of the Expense Log with documentation, such as paid invoices or credit card receipts, showing work has been paid for. 
   2. Detailed explanation of expenses.
   3. Online documentation of all completed work, such as screenshots showing digital ads and boosting, if applicable.
   4. Verification of work completed by consultants. 

A grant check will be processed within 30 days following approval of application. 

Grant Program Application