Community Desk Chicago
Wealth Our Way (W.O.W.) Capital Grant Application
WOW Application
Funding Amount
Requested Funding Amount
(Required)
Please enter a number less than or equal to
500000
.
Lead Organization Information
Please provide information on the lead organization or business that will manage the grant.
Organization Name
(Required)
Doing Business As (DBA)
EIN
(Required)
Enter numbers only, no special characters
Address
(Required)
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
State / Province / Region
ZIP / Postal Code
Telephone Number
(Required)
Email Address
(Required)
Website
Please enter the full website address (e.g., https://www.communitydeskchicago.org).
Date Incorporated
(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Number of Employees
(Required)
Organization Overview and History
(Required)
Please background information on the lead organization or business.
Priority Sector
(Required)
Select an Option
Retail
Social Services
Arts & Culture
Housing
Food & Food Production
Personal Services
Health & Wellness
Media and Entertainment
Business Services
Manufacturing
Public Services
Economic Development
Community Development
Other
Please identify main line of business.
Priority Sector Other
Please identify sector is not listed above.
Secondary Sector
Please identify any secondary line of business.
Entity Type
(Required)
Select an Option
Non-Profit
For-Profit
Are you a 501c3?
(Required)
Select an Option
Yes
No
Board Members
(Required)
Please identify the number of board members for the lead organization.
Annual Budget
(Required)
Legal Structure
(Required)
Select an Option
Partnership
C-Corp
S-Corp
L3C
LLC
Sole Proprietor
Other
Number of Business Owners or Investors
(Required)
Please identify the number of current business owners or investors.
Last Year’s Revenue
(Required)
Please identify last year's revenue or total sales.
Application Acknowledgments
I confirm that I attended or watched the recording of the W.O.W. Capital Program Informational Session.
(Required)
I confirm that I attended or watched the recording of the W.O.W. Capital Program Informational Session.
A copy of the W.O.W. Capital Program Informational Session will be able on the Capital Connect homepage.
I confirm that I understand a W.O.W. capital grant is a reimbursable grant.
(Required)
I confirm that I understand a W.O.W. capital grant is a reimbursable grant.
Funding related to the capital grant award will be paid as either a direct reimbursement or through a construction escrow paid out over time.
I confirm that I am enrolling in a structured program that will include both funding and technical coaching. Funding is subject to full participation in the program.
(Required)
I confirm that I am enrolling in a structured program that will include both funding and technical coaching. Funding is subject to full participation in the program.
I confirm that I am not currently a City of Chicago employee.
(Required)
I confirm that I am not currently a City of Chicago employee.
City of Chicago employees cannot receive a WOW grant.
Shared Ownership Model
Projects seeking a W.O.W. capital grant must demonstrate that their ownership, operations and governance are grounded in the principles of community wealth building, under one of two models.
Community Investment Vehicle (CIV):
a legal investment mechanism that provides collective community investment in neighborhood assets based on shared development goals. In its perfect form a CIV is majority-controlled, majority-owned, and designed by residents or local members.
Worker Co-Op:
A business owned and controlled by its employees, who share in both the decision-making and the profits of the business. Every worker who meets the basic eligibility requirements can become a co-owner of the business, including the right to vote for and serve on the board of directors.
Outlined below are specific questions related to your shared ownership model.
Please identify your shared ownership model type.
(Required)
Select an Option
Community Investment Vehicle (CIV)
Worker Co-Op
Please provide an overview of your shared ownership model.
(Required)
At a minimum, overview should provide details related to the legal structure, investor types, property types, community area(s), active or anticipated operations, and products or services offered (if applicable).
What is the status of your model?
(Required)
Select an Option
Operational
Under Development
How do the parameters of your model align with the City of Chicago’s definition of Community Wealth Building as “local, democratic and shared”?
(Required)
For details related to the City of Chicago's definition, please visit
Chicago Community Wealth Building Ecosystem
, a sponsored initiative of the City of Chicago.
What percentage (%) of the model will be owned by community members or worker-owners?
(Required)
Select an Option
less than 51%
51%-75%
76-99%
100%
What percentage (%) of the real estate project will be owned by community members or worker-owners?
(Required)
Select an Option
less than 51%
51%-75%
76-99%
100%
Please provide details related to the current or intended ownership structure of your model.
(Required)
At a minimum, information related to the following should be including: 1) owner types (e.g., community residents, co-op employees), 2) owner eligibility (e.g., live in a certain ZIP code, work a minimum number of hours, etc.), and 3) mechanism for eligible individuals to become owners (e.g., buy shares, invest equity, etc.).
What is the shared ownership model’s mission, vision and values?
(Required)
What are the direct impacts of your community wealth building model (e.g., dividends, below-market rent for tenants, equity stake in a business, etc.)?
(Required)
How has/will the community be engaged in your model? Please provide detailed information about outreach efforts, planned activities, etc.
(Required)
Community is defined as residents in and around your real estate development project and/or residents that might invest/participate in your model.
Does or will your model include direct investments by community members or owners (e.g, payment for shares, equity buy-in to the business)?
(Required)
Select an Option
Yes
No
If so, have participating community members received, or will they receive, formal financial literacy and/or investment education?
Select an Option
Yes
No
Real Estate Project
Outlined below are specific questions related to the proposed real estate project.
Project Name
(Required)
Please provide a short summary of your real estate project. Please limit your response to 2-3 sentences.
(Required)
Property Description
Project address
(Required)
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
State / Province / Region
ZIP / Postal Code
Only projects located in Chicago are eligible.
Property Identification Number(s) (PIN[s]) - Please provide the PIN(s) in the following format: 00-00-000-000-0000. Separate multiple PINs using a comma.
(Required)
If you do not know your project address' PIN(s), you may find them using the City of Chicago's Zoning and Land Use Map found
here
.
What is the current property type?
(Required)
Select an Option
Mixed-Use
Commercial
Vacant Land
Industrial
Institutional
Multi-family
Other
Property Type Other
If existing property type is not identified, please specify.
What is the current status of the project site?
(Required)
Select an Option
Vacant
Occupied
Unknown/Unsure
Describe the condition of the project site.
(Required)
Please describe any known issues with the project site related to its physical condition (e.g., building code violations, demolition orders, environmental contamination) or financial liabilities (e.g., unpaid property taxes, mechanic’s liens, City inspection fees).
Project Description
Please provide a detailed overview of your proposed project including but not limited to key design elements, uses, tenants, products and services and any other relevant information.
(Required)
What is the proposed property type?
(Required)
Select an Option
Mixed-Use
Commercial
Vacant Land
Industrial
Institutional
Multi-family
Other
Please identify any change in property type based on proposed development.
Proposed Property Type Other
If proposed property type is not identified, please specify.
What kind of construction will occur at the project location? Select all that apply.
(Required)
Demolition of an existing structure
Rehabilitation of an existing structure
Tenant improvements to leased space
New construction
Other
To select multiple responses, hold down the Shift key.
Other Type Of Construction
If construction type is not identified, please specify.
Please confirm the type of documentation you will provide to prove site control. Site control means you have a legal document confirming ownership or a right to occupy the property (e.g., lease agreement).
(Required)
Select an Option
Deed
Settlement Statement
Executed purchase agreement
Executed purchase option
Executed letter of intent (LOI) to purchase
Executed lease (worker co-ops ONLY)
Other
Note: All applicants are required to demonstrate site control. CIV applicants are required to own their project sites.
Other Document Type
If proposed document type is not identified, please specify.
What is the current stage of the project? Please check all that apply.
(Required)
Planning
Design
Site Due Diligence
Fundraising
Pre-Construction
To select multiple responses, hold down the Shift key.
Will your project be ready to start construction by March 2026?
(Required)
Select an Option
Yes
No
Project Finances
Total Development Costs
(Required)
How much of your project funding have you SECURED so far?
(Required)
Please enter the total amount of funding secured. Secured means committed funding with back-up documentation (e.g., loan commitment letter, grant award letter).
Has this project been awarded any grants from the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development?
(Required)
Select an Option
No
Yes
If Yes, Please Proivde the Name of Grant, $ Amount of Grant and the Year Awarded.
(Required)
Has the project team developed a pro forma that covers the first five (5) or more years of the project’s operations?
(Required)
Select an Option
Yes
No
Project Team
Do you have experience managing a real estate development project or have you hired a real estate professional?
(Required)
Select an Option
Yes
No
Please provide any additional information about your project team that you would like the W.O.W. application reviewers to know (optional).
Document Uploads
Please upload the following required attachments. Acceptable file types: .csv, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff, .xls, .xlsx
Business Plan
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload a business plan or related document that specifies the details of the shared ownership model.
Evidence of Site Control
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Note: CIV applicants must show evidence that they own their site.
Project Timeline
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please provide a timeline related to the shared ownership model. The timeline should include details related to the real estate project and start-up activities if the shared ownership model is not operational.
Project Financials
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please download the financial template aligned with your model to complete then upload.
Download the Coop Template
Download the CIV template
Funding Source Documentation
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload documentation for the funding specified as secured.
Project Team
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload information related to your real estate team (e.g, architect, project manager, contractor).
Photos of Existing Conditions
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Project Drawings or Design Documents
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Letters of Support
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please attached letters of support or other materials that demonstrate community engagement related to the project.
Most recent 990
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
List of Directors and Officers
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Most Recent Business Tax Return
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Ownership Information
(Required)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Additional Information (Optional)
Drop files here or
Select files
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload any additional information for consideration.
Terms and Conditions
By checking this box, I agree to the City of Chicago’s Scofflaw Requirements and other related compliance requirements.
By checking this box, I agree to the City of Chicago’s Scofflaw Requirements and other related compliance requirements.
By checking this box, I affirm and certify that all the information and answers to questions herein are complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
By checking this box, I affirm and certify that all the information and answers to questions herein are complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
