Black entrepreneurs and small developers are often excluded from investment opportunities. The Desk advocates to change that.” – Deon Lucas, E.G. Woode

I grew up on the South Side. I’m opening my bakery in Avalon Park because I see the opportunity and believe small businesses can thrive. – Maya Camille Broussard, Justice of the Pies

“The Desk isn’t only about supporting community projects. It’s also about driving more investment and unlocking the potential of Chicago neighborhoods.” – Charlie Corrigan, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

“The Desk isn’t only about supporting community projects. It’s also about driving more investment and unlocking the potential of Chicago neighborhoods.” – Charlie Corrigan, JPMorgan Chase & Co

“Systemic change to traditional capital sources is critical to wealth-building and strengthening communities of color. – Lyneir Richardson, Chicago TREND

“As a worker co-op, we believe locally-owned businesses are a critical component to neighborhood wealth-building and revitalization. ChiFresh Kitchen Camille Kerr, ChiFresh Kitchen

All Chicago residents deserve to live in healthy and holistic communities with access to jobs, education, housing, retail and other baseline amenities. In Black and Latinx neighborhoods, financial resources to support community development and revitalizations are often difficult to obtain.

Community Desk Chicago works with nonprofits, community developers and entrepreneurs to assemble the necessary capital, expertise and other resources to increase real estate development in their neighborhoods that promote a high quality of life and provide wealth-building opportunities. 

News & Announcements

Spotlight on Englewood

Our May 2023 issue of Deskside, our regular newsletter, was devoted to Englewood, one of three communities chosen to participate in our Neighborhood Developers Initiative (NDI). Let’s learn more about the leaders, organizations, and efforts happening in Englewood...

WCIU: ‘On The Block’ Features South Shore CIV

"On the Block," a show produced in collaboration with Block Club Chicago and WCIU Chicago, covered the new Community Investment Vehicle (CIV) focused on Chicago's South Shore community.

Spotlight on South Shore

Our March 2023 issue of Deskside, our regular newsletter, was devoted to South Shore, one of the three communities chosen to participate in our Neighborhood Developer Initiative (NDI). Over the next few months, we will shine a light on NDI leaders and the great work...

Client Profile: Urban Market Exchange

Local artisans tend to have two choices when just starting out – either they can travel to shared maker spaces on the north side of Chicago, or they can work from their own basements and kitchen tables. Quandra Speights, a Chicago native who has supported nonprofits...

The Atlantic: Our Chicago: A Blueprint for Better Communities

Communities across the country are in a state of flux, and Chicago's are no different. Faced with steep challenges, longtime residents are establishing sustainable growth through housing development, community investment, and entrepreneurship opportunities—and...

WBEZ: Bridging the funding gap for community-based real estate projects

Community Desk Chicago is a real estate development group that focuses on building wealth and investment in Black and brown communities on the city’s South and West sides. Reset learns more about the organization and how it’s shifting the city’s model of community...