Community Desk Chicago

Community Investment Vehicles (CIV) - Commercial shared ownership models to pool capital resources to acquire and jointly own neighborhood assets. The program currently supports projects across the City of Chicago. The Desk serves as a key thought leader to advance commercial shared ownership models in Chicago including led a comprehensive study related to shared ownership and coined the term "Community Investment Vehicles", developed a CIV Playbook to provide a roadmap for implementation, participated on the City of Chicago's Community Wealth-Building Advisory Council, and currently organize a Community of Practice (COP) for more than 10 CIVs in Chicago. Additionally, the Desk helped secure $900K in grants to help advance these models.

CorridorLive! - Comprehensive redevelopment of commercial corridors to increase local ownership and improve the quality of life for residents. The pilot program is targeting corridors on the south side of Chicago. As a pilot, the Desk is currently supporting the South Shore Community Development Corporation launch CorridorLive! South Shore. It is a $28M investment in an adjacent under-resourced community within 10 minutes of the anticipated Obama Presidential Center. Funding was secured to complete a comprehensive corridor plan and to assist with strategic property acquisitions to allow residents to own and control the assets as well as directly benefit from tourism opportunities.

Budget and Bricks - Technical coaching and navigation for entrepreneurs launching brick and mortar spaces in under-resourced neighborhoods in Chicago. The Budgets & Bricks program is a continuation of "help desk' supports offered to entrepreneurs while incubating at the Chicago Community Trust. The program provides advisory services, capital connections and project navigation to secure the necessary resources to complete real estate development projects. The Desk supported 50 small businesses through direct coaching, project navigation and resource connecting. Additionally, the Desk helped secure $3.5M in capital grants.