Through support from NICI, OAI, Inc. will open a new Clean Energy Training Site in South Suburban Cook County.

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives is honored with an award from the Harvey Brooks Foundation.

Through support from NICI, Harvey Brooks' community programming, food pantry, and garden are thriving contributors to the southeast side of Joliet.

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives' Summer newsletter features Executive Director Tovah McCord reflecting upon NICI's largest grantee cohort yet. Read further to learn about our 2024 Impact Grants and how NICI has been engaging the community.

Funding assists economic mobility, commercial development and small business support projects in Northern Illinois

Small Business Support is one of NICI’s three core pillars alongside Economic Mobility and Commercial Development. We focus on the highest need businesses, particularly those owned by women and people of color, as these often face the most significant systemic barriers.

Breanna Holman has been doing hair all her life, and this past March, she opened her first brick-and-mortar salon with the support of a loan from Northern Illinois Community Ventures (NICV) partner Allies for Community Business (A4CB).

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives' Spring newsletter shares Executive Director Tovah McCord's thoughts on small business support as one of NICI's core pillars. Read further to learn how philanthropic investments have the power to strengthen minority- and women-owned small businesses.

Through grant support from NICI, Think Big! has been able to sustain and expand the School of Business, a four-week program for entrepreneurs at every stage to learn skills and receive coaching that will strengthen their businesses.

Thanks to a $10,800 loan supported by our NICV program, Brittney Jeter saw her vision for an adult day service come to life. The Young 60 Plus Club takes a proactive approach to helping seniors stay active, providing social services, community resources, and activities.

“The pandemic killed my business,” says Hector Delgado of Sensory Partners, Inc., but thanks to a $2,500 NICV loan, Sensory Partners could acquire the necessary materials to develop a one-of-a-kind marinade — securing a $250K restaurant contract.

What does economic mobility look like in action? This month, we dive into how NICI’s programs and the great work of our grantee partners are fostering economic mobility in our communities.

Through a $25,000 NICV loan, Youth Transformational Services will complete the development of a mobile game app that teaches SEL and conflict resolution skills to students.

Through adapting to the unique needs of the six counties served while championing the YWCA’s larger mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, the YWCA Northwestern Illinois has grown into a significant driver of workforce development in the region.

We are pleased to announce the debut of Northern Illinois Community Initiatives’ new, quarterly newsletter!

NICI’s mission is to build a more vibrant and equitable region by investing in bold economic development initiatives that help underserved communities thrive.

Latania Johnson began offering mobile and remote notary services as part of her tax preparation business is one that most people can relate to.

Why did a nonprofit founded to promote HIV prevention and testing in low-income communities do a hard pivot to become an employment solutions provider?

A Rockford woman wanted to open a soul food restaurant. She signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot space and hired seven employees but didn’t purchase a POS system.

There’s a popular proverb that says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”