Hello Small Business Owners,
We want to hear from you! This survey is part of a collaborative effort led by Next Street in partnership with the Chicago Community Trust, Coleman Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and the Fund for Equitable Growth, alongside public sector partners including the City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), Cook County Small Business Source, and a broader regional Steering Committee of Business Support Organizations, capital providers, and experts.
Our goal is simple: to better understand your needs, challenges, and opportunities so we can help shape more effective economic strategies, philanthropic investments, and business support systems across the Chicagoland region to support small business growth. Your input will directly inform actions to improve access to capital, strengthen business support services, and build a more equitable and resilient small business ecosystem.
The survey will remain open through Friday, April 24. It should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. As a thank you for your time, respondents will be entered into a lottery to receive one of five $50 gift cards.
The survey includes questions about:
• Your business priorities and key challenges
• Your business characteristics and growth stage
• Your experience accessing capital and financing
• Your experience accessing and using business support services
• Your business outlook
Your responses will be kept confidential and analyzed only in aggregate—no individual business information will be shared publicly. We also plan to share key findings with participating organizations and the broader community, so your voice contributes to real, visible impact.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Your insights will directly inform recommendations to better support small businesses across the Chicagoland region.