Community Desk Chicago’s Post

Our lead story in this issue is about Community Desk Chicago, which is deploying local investment tools in a way every community group should consider. According to its President and CEO, Ja’Net Defell, “We support nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and small community developers with real estate projects that do one of two things: have a direct impact on community wealth building and generational wealth, or bring new products and services and experiences to communities that are typically under-resourced.” Starting in the South Shore of Chicago, the organization’s CorridorLive! project is acquiring and rehabbing abandoned or blighted commercial properties and preparing a pipeline of essential local businesses to occupy the buildings. The goal is to activate critical buildings, blocks, and neighborhoods. At the center of the strategy is a Community Investment Vehicle Playbook, which outlines specific strategies for helping residents in target neighborhoods become owners of the upgraded properties. Read our full issue!

Increased, targeted investments can help communities thrive.      For too long, Latino communities have not received the financial support they need from the traditional finance sector. But organizations like the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), an RWJF investee, help ensure that Latino-led local organizations have the flexibility and funding needed to drive effective change on the ground. Marla Bilonick, President and CEO of NALCAB, and our impact investments lead Zoila Jennings dive deeper into why this work is crucial for Latino communities in the latest RWJF blog post. https://rwjf.ws/NiOeBZ       Philanthropy, private investors, government, and others can all work together, alongside community members, to break down barriers to economic opportunity for and provide crucial dollars to Latino communities. 

When we talk about #impactinvesting it’s easy to think about risk in a one-dimensional way, but we have to remember that neighbors bear the greatest risk. Yes, the six initial investors we had when we launched the Rotational Capital Fund took a risk. But the risk to neighbors and neighborhoods if we failed was much greater. They had already borne the greatest cost of the 2008 financial crisis, and we didn’t want to compound that. Every time we experiment or try something new, neighbors bear the greatest risk. Keeping this in mind affects how we go about our work. ➡ It makes partnership and centering neighborhood voices the highest priority. Doing TO a neighborhood is never ethical - we must aim to do anything  WITH neighbors. ➡We take pains to insulate neighbors from the risks of our work whenever we can. ➡We create accountability systems to make sure we have to answer to neighbors for the ways we affect their lives - both good and bad. Ultimately, our work should also be undoing the systemic forces of inequity that push so much risk onto neighborhoods like Historic South Atlanta. Instead, through smart and equitable investing, we can make sure that every neighborhood can lead its own change and innovation. Read more about the Rotation Capital Fund for an example: https://lnkd.in/dqn3n3MY #housing #mixedincomehousing #housingequity #placemaking #revitalization #nonprofit #nonprofits #communitydevelopment

Explore Ohio's economic development funding with this month’s Growth Capital blog! Join us as we dive into how communities can leverage programs like the Community Development Finance Fund Program (CDFFP) and the Finance Fund's Grants Program to drive economic growth, create jobs and enhance infrastructure across the state. You’ll get a glimpse into how the Ohio Department of Development uses these initiatives to prioritize workforce development, infrastructure investment and community revitalization—all great topics to keep in mind as small business owners! Read all about it today— https://loom.ly/_zxtweo #Ohiobusiness #economicdevelopment #communitydevelopment

Investing in Community: Unlocking Power and Wealth! Community ownership and local investment are more than just financial decisions—they are pathways to empowerment and sustainable growth. When we invest in our local businesses, we aren't just supporting services we need; we're actively driving their success, creating jobs, and building wealth that stays in the community. At RCI Community Funds, Benefit LLC, we believe in the power of community capital to uplift neighborhoods and offer better opportunities for local residents. By keeping investment local, we’re creating real change. Let's build wealth together, one business at a time. #CommunityOwnership #LocalInvesting #WealthBuilding #EconomicEmpowerment #SupportLocal #CommunityCapital

What billionaires and or families are the most active investors in the East Bay (Berkeley and Oakland Area)? Is their work focused on real estate development, philanthropic, economic development, technology/industry or something else? Looking for help identifying folks that I may not have connected with. If not billionaires, then who are the centimillionaires doing likewise?

Below #PODERHQ rendering brings back memories - most good. But early on just about every meeting ended with "we love this project idea but...." As a result, more lonely days filled with doubt than I'd like to admit. It took months to get a yes. Three, looking back, stand out: Francisco Gonzalez Pulido of FGP Atelier (design architect); Michael Davidson previously CCT #PreDevelopmentFund - Gloria Castillo of #WeRiseTogether / CCT. While PODER HQ would later receive larger dollar commitments, none were more impactful than these three at critical early stage. They meant more for me, this project, and our Gage Park community, than those that came later and this project doesn't happen without them #juntosPODEMOS If you're at an early development stage, you need to check this out: Register for Info Sessions The Trust will host two informational sessions to discuss the Pre-Development Fund opportunity. Register at the links below. Info Session #1 January 13, 2025 | 1pm-2pm CT Click here to register. Info Session #2 January 15, 2025 | 1pm-2pm CT Click here to register. https://lnkd.in/gFQNbJRx

Empowering Communities Through Investment and Ownership! At RCI Community Funds, Benefit LLC, we believe that true community growth starts with investment and ownership by the people who live there. Imagine revitalizing dilapidated buildings in disinvested neighborhoods—turning them into thriving hubs for local businesses. When community members have a stake in these projects, they’re not just investors—they become passionate brand ambassadors, supporting and championing the businesses that call their community home. By centering local voices and providing opportunities for ownership, we can break the cycle of disinvestment and build a path towards economic resilience and sustainable growth. It’s time to shift the narrative and put people first. #CommunityCapital #InvestLocal #EconomicEmpowerment #CommunityDevelopment #OwnershipMatters #LocalBusiness #RCICommunityFunds #SustainableGrowth #InvestInPeople

How I’m going to spend £27.5 million 👇 One of the standout milestones within my first 100 days was having funds of up to £27.5 million approved. These funds are going to be pivotal in enabling York and North Yorkshire growth across the region by testing new and innovative ways to tackle some of our biggest challenges. The four funds are: Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, Carbon Negative Challenge Fund, Business Innovation Fund and Skills Innovation Fund. The first visit related to these funds was my trip to Thirsk high street. As a small local business owner myself, I understand the need for support to maintain our high streets. I also know and understand that high streets are the hub of a community, and so it is vital that they get the support they need. These initial visits within my first 100 days have allowed me to listen to people who know best, gathering local insight so that the new Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund can help businesses effectively. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date: https://hubs.ly/Q02LHZ-X0

Our country is depending on the next generation. But the truth is our next generation is in desperate need of: → Good affordable housing. → A clean and safe environment to live in. → And a strong community to lift them up in bad times. In order for them to thrive and reach their full potential! But the sad reality is, 2.5 million children are currently homeless. But if we can create: → Affordable housing. → With a strong support system. → That gives them the opportunity to thrive. Then we can help make a dent in that number! So if you want to help us not only help the next generation but impact 1 million lives through real estate… It’s a Reg D 506(c) Fund for Accredited Investors where we’ll be: - Focusing on making a positive impact - Specializing in green-focused buildings. - All while creating a large ROI for our investors. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gWdaEz5p