Chicago Grants Aid Groups Impacted by SNAP Cuts, Deportation Campaign

Mayor Brandon Johnson announces $4,500 micro-grants for 67 organizations to offset strain from federal policy changes.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of the interior of a community organization space, with sunlight streaming through the windows and casting long shadows across the room, conceptually representing the challenges faced by local groups during a difficult time.The micro-grants aim to provide critical support to Chicago's small businesses and community groups impacted by federal deportation efforts and cuts to food assistance.Chicago Today

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the city of Chicago is providing $4,500 micro-grants to 67 small businesses and community groups across the city to help offset the strain they are feeling after federal deportation efforts and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the previous administration. The grants are being distributed through the Greater Chicago Food Depository to support organizations that provide food access and other services to vulnerable communities impacted by the policy changes.

Why it matters

The federal deportation campaign and cuts to SNAP benefits have had a significant impact on Chicago's small businesses and community organizations, especially those serving immigrant, low-income, and marginalized communities. These micro-grants aim to provide critical support to help these groups continue operating and meeting the increased demand for food assistance and other services.

The details

The $4,500 micro-grants are part of an effort by Mayor Brandon Johnson to direct city resources to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to assist local organizations affected by the lapse in SNAP funding during a government shutdown in 2025. Many small businesses and community groups saw drops in foot traffic and revenue due to increased federal immigration enforcement, as well as reduced SNAP purchasing power among their customers. The grants will help offset rising operational costs like fuel and insurance for organizations like the Pilsen-based Working Family Solidarity and the Englewood-based Cedillo's Fresh Produce farm.

  • In November 2025, Mayor Johnson signed an executive order directing city resources to the Food Depository to support local organizations and businesses affected by a lapse in SNAP funding.
  • The SNAP funding pause was felt by many Chicagoans in early November 2025, but small businesses and organizations were impacted months before due to increased immigration operations.
  • Expanded work requirements for SNAP recipients that went into effect in spring 2026 are expected to push about 150,000 people out of the program starting in May.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who announced the $4,500 micro-grant program to support small businesses and community groups impacted by federal deportation efforts and SNAP cuts.

Greater Chicago Food Depository

The organization distributing the micro-grants to local Chicago groups to help offset the strain from federal policy changes.

Working Family Solidarity

A Pilsen-based community group providing support to Black and Latino communities across Chicago, with more than half of its members being Hispanic and nearly 40% undocumented.

Cedillo's Fresh Produce

An Englewood-based family farm that relied on SNAP benefits to support its operational costs.

Life is Work

A community organization in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago that operates a food pantry and aims to serve a wide range of vulnerable populations impacted by the SNAP cuts.

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What they’re saying

“'I have to admit, I do know that sometimes government — we can move a little slow. So the $4,500 grants that are issued, we are not just investing in services that you provide, but the leadership that you provide and the trust that you have built with residents. You embody the spirit of our collective responsibility.'”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson

“'Directly after SNAP benefits were cut, it became kind of Armageddon for us a little bit. One of our workers, who's a single mother of two children, had her benefits cut so this is something that is literally stopping individuals from being able to feed their children and feed themselves.'”

— Kevin Johnson Jr., Lead Organizer, Working Family Solidarity

“'We are still in production, but it has impacted the income that it's coming to us. We want to continue to feed people, but it's very hard when now you got to struggle with 'and should I drive or not?''”

— Dulce Morales, Co-founder, Cedillo's Fresh Produce

“'It's not just Black and Latinx communities that are being impacted, aging populations, elders, individuals with disabilities, individuals who have HIV, individuals who are veterans — those are the populations that also have been vulnerable and impacted by this, that kind of get left out.'”

— Maria'h Foster, Group, Life is Work

What’s next

The city plans to continue monitoring the impact of the SNAP cuts and deportation campaign on Chicago's small businesses and community organizations, and may consider expanding the micro-grant program if the need persists.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates Chicago's commitment to supporting its local communities and businesses, especially those serving vulnerable populations, in the face of challenging federal policy changes. By directing resources through trusted community organizations, the city is helping to ensure critical food access and other services continue despite the strain of reduced SNAP benefits and increased immigration enforcement.