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External nominators identified organizations and projects to receive place-based economic development grants, in the first iteration since we refined our Vital Communities grantmaking strategy. We rely on the advice of external nominators to help us determine which organizations are highly effective, are rooted in the communities they serve, and are closely aligned with our grant guidelines. This grantmaking supports place-based economic development in ten Chicago communities that were identified based on indicators including levels of community engagement, income and wealth, demographic shifts, public safety, and the history of investment and/or disinvestment, among others.
The following organizations will each receive $1,100,000 in general operating support over 4 years for development in Austin, Belmont Cragin, Gage Park, Greater Garfield Park (East Garfield Park and West Garfield Park), Greater Englewood (West Englewood and Englewood), Greater Roseland (Roseland and West Pullman), Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale/Little Village, and South Shore:
- Austin Coming Together (ACT) is a collaboration of 12 community organizations serving the Austin neighborhood on the far West Side to expand opportunities for youth, reclaim vacant and abandoned housing, promote economic development, and improve public safety. ACT has helped its members garner over $100 million in investments to the business district along Madison Street and Central Avenue.
- Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) aims to preserve vibrancy, sustain the region's culture, and grow the economy in Roseland and West Pullman. The South Halsted Gateway, which runs throughout those communities, is the central artery of the Far South Side. Far South CDC has outlined a series of developments for the corridor that include creative placemaking installations, new retail outlets, and mixed-use housing developments.
- Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative seeks to improve the local economy and to significantly reduce violence in Greater Garfield Park. The Collaborative prioritizes projects identified by the community within eight blocks in West Garfield Park. These include the planning and implementation of a Quality of Life plan and a plan to develop the Madison Street and Pulaski Road commercial corridor entitled the West Garfield Park Corridors Plan.
- Go Green Development Group’s initiative Go Green on Racine is an equitable development partnership that works to foster and promote revitalization around 63rd Street and Racine Avenue in Englewood and its neighboring communities. As part of the project, they use comprehensive community and sustainable development strategies, including developing affordable housing and commercial properties.
- Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC) aims to create a thriving Southwest Chicago by empowering, building, and sustaining development that raises the quality of life for residents, businesses, and industries, especially in the Gage Park community. GSDC’s corridor planning focuses on the 63rd and 59th Street commercial corridors. GSDC is actively engaged in large-scale creative placemaking projects designed to attract new foot traffic and businesses to the Southwest region.
- Latinos Progresando delivers high quality information and resources for people to build secure, healthy, and productive lives in South Lawndale, also known as Little Village. Within the neighborhood, the organization focuses on the Marshall Square, supporting its commercial corridors and local business owners.
- Lawndale Christian Development Corporation aims to revitalize North Lawndale, including projects situated on and around Ogden Avenue, with economic growth, expanded access to local jobs, community organizing, and affordable housing in a thriving, equitable environment. As it pursues multiple retail and commercial projects, it builds on an organizational history that had focused primarily on affordable housing.
- Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NSCDC) provides the Northwest Side with the tools and resources to preserve affordable housing, prevent displacement, and provide business development assistance to local small businesses. Through their Avenues for Growth Corridors Plan, NSCDC has identified strategies for creating jobs, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and improving transportation and public places along Belmont Cragin's three main corridors: Diversey, Fullerton, and Grand Avenues.
- Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Humboldt Park serves the socio-ecological (culture, education, economic development, housing, and health/wellness) needs of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. Along the North Avenue Corridor in Humboldt Park, the organization works to increase neighborhood-level economic activity, develop local businesses, market underutilized and vacant land, and implement infrastructure and cultural enhancements.
- South Shore Chamber Community Development Corporation (SSCC) strengthens and supports small businesses and commercial corridors in South Shore by providing practical training, technical assistance, and access to public and private sector resources. SSCC focuses on redeveloping the 71st Street corridor, which historically served as the central shopping district for residents, but which has, over time, faced high vacancies, absentee landlords, and retail leakage.
