SOCAP26 Fellowship

SOCAP26 is one of the largest convenings of social impact capital stakeholders, taking place in Chicago from October 12-14 at Convene in Willis Tower. Community Desk Chicago (the Desk) is assembling a cohort of shared ownership projects from across the City of Chicago to participate in the SOCAP26 fellowship program. Fellows will join the Desk and SOCAP staff in a series of activities before and during the conference to support the pursuit of investments for fellows’ shared ownership businesses and real estate projects.

SOCAP26 Fellowship Application

RFI submissions are due by 5PM CT on July 31, 2026.  

Fellowship Benefits and Activities

  • Free admission to SOCAP26 in October ($1,999 value) 
  • One-on-one coaching with SOCAP staff for 6-8 weeks leading up to the SOCAP26 conference, including pitch deck feedback 
  • Pre-conference orientation 
  • Coordinated connections to potential investors at SOCAP26 to pitch business and project ideas 
  • Profile featured and highlighted prior to and throughout the conference

Fellow Criteria

Fellowship cohort members should be active shared ownership businesses that are seeking new investments to grow their operations and/or acquire and rehabilitate real estate. The Desk will select teams that best fit the shared ownership and investment readiness criteria to take advantage of the SOCAP26 conference. The ideal fellow is/has: 

  • A shared ownership model, e.g. a worker cooperative or a community investment vehicle, where workers and/or community members have a path to ownership 
  • An existing for-profit business that is currently generating revenue with potential for investor returns 
  • Prior experience with engaging and securing investors (Note: Friends and Family Network is eligible) 
  • Seeking investments – not grants – to expand current operations, add new lines of business, or acquire/rehabilitate real estate 
  • Legal entity based in Chicago 

Request for Ideas

Interested teams should submit information about their shared ownership business and ideas for how they would use investments for business expansion or real estate project by completing the application linked below:

SOCAP26 Fellowship Application

RFI submissions are due by 5PM CT on July 31, 2026.   

Wealth Our Way (W.O.W.) Overview

Chicago Build Better Together LogoWealth Our Way (W.O.W.) is a collaborative initiative designed to support communities in launching wealth-building models, based on their terms, that advance their quality of life, build wealth and shift power dynamics in their neighborhoods.

In 2025, Community Desk Chicago launched the Wealth Our Way capital grant program in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development and Office of the Mayor.

 

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SOCAP Global

SOCAP Global is the thought leadership platform for the accelerating movement towards a more just and sustainable economy. We convene a global ecosystem and marketplace – social entrepreneurs, investors, foundation and nonprofit leaders, government and policy leaders, creators, corporations, academics, and beyond – through live and digital experiences that educate, spur conversation, and inspire investment in positive impact.

The SOCAP26 Fellowship is made possible through the support of the Kresge Foundation.