News & Announcements
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...
Fox 32 Community Desk Chicago helping South and West Side residents unlock their economic potential
Ja'Net Defell, director of Community Desk Chicago, talks about their mission and the importance of increasing access to capital for communities of color. Watch the segment on Fox 32's website.
Chicago Sun-Times $2.7 million initiative to spur real estate development on South and West sides
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Teamwork Englewood and the South Shore Chamber Community Development Corp. were selected through the Neighborhood Developers Initiative, run by Community Desk Chicago. Continue reading on Chicago Sun-Times.
Block Club Chicago South Shore, Englewood, Humboldt Park Groups Getting $2.7 Million, Support For Community-Led Developments
SOUTH SHORE — A program offering money, knowledge and clout to three South and West Side community groups is aiming to help local leaders propel economic development in their neighborhoods. Continue reading on Block Club Chicago.
Univision Chicago Conoce el programa que proporcionará recursos a emprendedores latinos para el desarrollo de viviendas en Chicago
Community Desk Chicago lanzó una iniciativa en la que se invertirán $2,7 millones en organizaciones con proyectos de bienes raíces, con el fin de ofrecer viviendas accesibles. "El principal objetivo es la creación y desarrollo de vecindarios. Se ayudará a tres...
Press Release Community Desk Chicago launches with $2.7 million initiative to help three South and West Side groups control their own destinies
A new kind of help desk is making it possible for Chicago communities to control their own destinies.
Crain’s Chicago Business Housing rehabs could unlock wealth in Chicago’s struggling neighborhoods
Ocie Windham has leased apartments in the South Shore and Chatham neighborhoods for more than 30 years. He keeps the rents affordable and maintains occupancy at 95%. But with rising real estate prices—in part to due to speculation surrounding the development of the...
Ja’Net Defell Unlocking access to capital
By Ja'Net Defell, Director I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. It was and still is a predominately Black community. I remember as a child that the highlight of my day was walking to the local family-owned grocer. The store was no...