2025 CCLF ANNUAL MEETING
On Wednesday, May 21, CCLF staff, board members, investors, funders, and partners met at DePaul University’s downtown Chicago campus for CCLF’s Annual Meeting. Erik Hall, CCLF Board Chair, welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the morning’s agenda. He recognized the board members in attendance and gave a special acknowledgment to Matt Reilein, Chair of […]
GREEN ERA: THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The ribbon has officially been cut on a groundbreaking environmental initiative on Chicago’s South Side. This award winning, one-of-a-kind project sets a new standard for food waste management in Chicago, transforming organic waste into nutrient-rich compost and renewable energy through the use of advanced anaerobic digestion technology. The Green Era Renewable Energy and Urban Farming […]
HONORING PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS
In response to the severe housing shortage during the Great Depression, the United States took its first major steps toward public housing reform in the 1930s. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), established in 1934, played a key role in implementing housing initiatives under the New Deal – a broad set of programs and reforms designed […]
Calvin L. Holmes’ Retirement Celebration
After nearly 30 years at Chicago Community Loan Fund and 26 years as its president, Calvin L. Holmes retired in December 2024. In honor of his phenomenal career in community development and working to make a difference to transform neighborhoods throughout Chicagoland, a celebration was given to express appreciation from board members, funders, investors, community […]
PROTECTING PROSPERITY FOR ALL
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 […]
Encuentro Square Ribbon Cutting
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 […]
DEERFIELD SUPPORTIVE LIVING GROUNDBREAKING
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 […]
MESSAGE FROM CCLF’S PRESIDENT: FACING THE FUTURE
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 […]
2024: CCLF YEAR IN REVIEW
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 retail and community facility spaces. These projects, along with social enterprise borrowers, created/preserved a total of 307 jobs.
RIBBON CUTTING FOR IT TAKES A VILLAGE BRONZEVILLE
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 […]
