With NICI’s support, TREND CDC is launching a pilot solar panel project at the Butterfield Plaza shopping center in Olympia Fields.

The rebrand aligns with Nicor Gas’ commitment to long-term, community-focused strategic investments that support a more economically resilient and equitable Illinois.

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives' Fall newsletter shares Executive Director Tovah McCord's thoughts on intentional community engagement. Read further to learn how NICI supports its partners and uplifts its pillars in the region.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.”

On July 20th, NICI announced a total commitment of $100,000 to Proactive Community Services in Flossmoor.

NICI announced a grant renewal of $100,000 to the Harvey Brooks Foundation in Joliet.

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives (NICI), a foundation created by Nicor Gas, today announced a total commitment of $200,000 to Think Big! and YWCA Northwestern Illinois.