2023 was a banner year for CCLF! When the books were closed, our numbers showed that it was our best year, ever!

At the start of the year, we set high goals, and the hard work of our entire team allowed us to end the year with a total of 31 loans for over $42.6 million – the highest dollar amount of loans closed in a single year in CCLF’s history. This financing has created or preserved 519 units of housing, 662 jobs, and developed 527,289 sq. ft. We are accomplishing this while maintaining a very low delinquency ratio, managing strong net income, and improving our overall Aeris rating.

“These achievements are the direct result of an incredibly hard-working CCLF staff,” said Bob Tucker, CCLF Interim President. “They are adaptable and dedicated to advancing CCLF’s mission, and their work and this level of investment will bring lasting impact to the communities served by CCLF. And none of this happens without the support of all of CCLF’s partners, funders, and investors.”

CCLF have supplied loans to an array of borrowers throughout Chicagoland in 2023 including: the Aspire Center in Austin; Little Angels Family Day Care II, Inc. in Englewood; Sputnik Coffee Company in Brighton Park; E.M. Branch and Associates, Inc. in Morgan Park; Roseland Youth Center in Roseland; Uncle Remus SFC in Broadview; and Lee Bowdry Properties in West Garfield Park, just to name a few.

In March of 2023, CCLF’s President, Calvin Holmes, received a Landmarks Illinois Influencer Award for his help in making the reuse of historic places accessible for all Chicagoans.

Since its origination in 1991, CCLF has closed 633 loans totaling over $357.1 million in financing which has leveraged more than $1.9 billion.