CCLF is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is in the community development business, lending its resources to help create communities that thrive. 2025 already has been a whirlwind for the community development industry. The industry has received a great deal of attention from people who may not know much about community development, so… Read more »

On a snowy Saturday morning in February, an elated group of community partners, elected officials and residents gathered in Logan Square to celebrate the long-awaited opening of a new affordable housing development. Encuentro Square features two vibrant, welcoming buildings located at 3759 W. Cortland and 1844 N. Ridgeway, positioned along the western edge of the… Read more »

According to Urban.org, “Within the next decade, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in American history. As Americans live longer, their housing needs will change, but our current housing market is ill prepared for this demographic shift.” Affordable housing is a ‘hot button’ issue in today’s current state of affairs. More and… Read more »

In January, the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) celebrated 34 years of bringing much needed capital and resources to low- and moderate-income communities throughout Chicagoland. The first quarter saw significant and rapid change at the federal level, but one thing hasn’t changed locally: CCLF remains committed to standing strong alongside the communities and people it… Read more »

The year 2024 has been another hugely successful year for CCLF! A total of over $31 million in loans were closed creating or preserving affordable housing and jobs or improving nonprofit facilities and supporting social enterprises. There were 38 loans closed with borrowers who developed 534 units of housing and 122,615 square feet of commercial… Read more »

Commemorating 20 years of childcare and education, It Takes A Village (ITAV), a CCLF borrower, held its ribbon cutting of their Bronzeville Academy at the old Hales Franciscan High School on October 22, 2024, at 4930 South Cottage Grove Avenue, one of its seven locations. On hand for the celebration were community leaders and elected… Read more »

The dream of twin brothers, Vova and Greesha Kagen, has finally come to fruition – once roasting coffee in their kitchen, to now roasting coffee in their new 28,000 square feet building. After receiving a $1,750,000 construction and permanent loan from CCLF, they bought a building in the Brighton Park neighborhood that was slated for… Read more »

“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” Whether you know this song from the 1975 movie Cooley High or the Boyz II Men version in the 90s, the meaning hits home for me now as I turn the page on my almost 30-year career working for Chicago Community Loan Fund. I started out as… Read more »

There are a few things in life that people should never have to worry about…food…shelter…healthcare. Unfortunately, in this country and in the city of Chicago, all three can have impediments to access for many residents in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Food deserts pose a hinderance to having fresh food within a reasonable distance of people’s homes. Mounting… Read more »

On a beautiful September afternoon at the ASPIRE Center in Austin, JPMorgan Chase announced a $10 million low-cost loan to CCLF for its Communities of Color Fund. CCLF created the Communities of Color Fund (CofC) to address racial equity in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods throughout Chicagoland. The fund will be available to developers undertaking real… Read more »

Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) is honored to be a $15 million recipient of a MacKenzie Scott grant. Lightning does strike in the same place twice as Ms. Scott awarded CCLF $10 million four years ago. MacKenzie Scott is a trailblazer in the world of philanthropy because of her large unrestricted grants to nonprofits. She… Read more »

The Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) is a 33-year-old Community Development Financial Institution and 26 of those 33 years, it was led by Calvin L. Holmes. After a long and successful career in community development, Calvin has decided to depart the house that he helped build. The CCLF board has appointed Bob Tucker as its… Read more »

JPMorganChase announced a $10 million investment to advance affordable housing development and revitalize neighborhoods in Chicago’s South and West sides on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Aspire Center in the Austin community. The new loan to the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is part of JPMorganChase’s $200… Read more »

Over 70 investors, funders, supporters, and staff joined the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) on Thursday, May 23, 2024, for the Annual Stakeholders Meeting at the Wintrust Conference Center in the Loop, which was the second in-person Stakeholders Meeting since the pandemic. CCLF President, Calvin Holmes, welcomed attendees and recognized that the growth of the… Read more »