Community Desk Chicago (“The Desk”) works with nonprofits, entrepreneurs and community developers in Chicago’s under-resourced neighborhoods to assemble the necessary capital, expertise and other resources to develop brick-and-mortar projects that foster wealth building and a high quality of life.
We believe all Chicagoans deserve to live in healthy and holistic communities with access to jobs, education, housing, retail and other baseline amenities.
Tell Us About Your Project
Small Business Growth
Many small businesses start out at home, in a shared space, or with short-term leases. Making the leap to purchasing a brick-and-mortar space can be overwhelming. Our Budgets + Bricks program supports small businesses in making that transition.
Neighborhood Revitalization
Local business districts in under-resourced areas often struggle to overcome blight while avoiding gentrification. Our CorridorLive! program works with local leaders to activate these properties with the services and amenities local residents desire.
Community Wealth Building
Owning commercial real estate is one of the best paths toward building wealth — but it’s out of reach for many individuals. We are working to implement shared ownership models that enable residents to overcome this barrier by pooling their resources.
Development and Strategic Leadership
Community leaders are often the foundation for mobilizing around a neighborhood vision, advocating for local resources and leading economic opportunities in communities. Our LeadersForward Program (formerly the Neighborhood Developers Initiative) provides technical coaching, thought partnership and resource connections to help advance local projects and initiatives.
The DeskNews & Updates
View All
