Our Approach

CCLF finances projects across metropolitan Chicago that revitalize neighborhoods, promise high positive social impact, incorporate sustainable design practices, and have the potential to leverage significant additional investments from other sources.

Since 1991, CCLF has cultivated our unique approach to lending. CCLF has the patience to remain committed to borrowers through lengthy public financing approval processes. We are willing to partner with small, midsize and emerging groups on their first projects, or to take on difficult or unorthodox projects.

CCLF goes to great lengths to ensure that the projects we support succeed, providing free and low-cost technical assistance throughout the life of the loan. Our signature flexibility allows us to fill gaps in the community development market as they arise to best meet the needs of neighborhoods throughout the Chicagoland area.

CCLF specializes in serving the needs of emerging organizations—who often have the most difficulty accessing capital—by providing reasonably priced loan products and free (or low-cost) technical assistance. CCLF's equity requirements are flexible and our loan-to-value ratios are more generous than many other lenders, even other CDFIs.