The Chicago Giving Circle

Through funding, collaboration and technical assistance, the Citi Foundation’s Community #ProgressMakers initiative helps accelerate the innovation of visionary U.S. #nonprofits that are working to connect low-income communities to greater economic opportunity. Today, we announced the 50 organizations that will make up the fourth cohort, each set to receive $1 million in unrestricted funding over the next three years. Learn more: https://on.citi/4dEYBJe

This is how we make our cities better. It’s time to celebrate an important and impactful development in a city of 2.7 million residents.?Here is what this is about: -??????A $2.7 million investment in Auburn Gresham, a predominantly Black neighborhood of 45,000 people on Chicago’s south side. -??????The creation of sustainable, affordable housing with 28 residential units and 11 retail spaces, in an underinvested community.? -??????The impact of a young, Black Chicago developer, AJ PATTON, with the vision and drive to bring quality housing to an underserved area, using minority-owned contractors and service providers.? -??????High-quality apartments in a rehabbed century-old terra cotta building.?Small businesses in the retail space – a barbershop, nail salon, dry cleaners, a boutique – all locally owned.? -??????A development with an environmentally sustainable focus:?homes to 28 tenants outfitted with high-efficiency building elements, including a new?variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC system,?high-performance windows, and energy-efficiency lighting and, soon, rooftop solar photovoltaic panels that will contribute to the building’s projected 33%-to-50% energy savings.? -??????A powerful combination of private investors, commercial lenders, public agencies, public officials, private corporations, the local community and one talented and purpose-driven entrepreneur to create a lasting impact in a neighborhood that is moving forward.? -??????This is more than a rehab; it is economic justice, racial justice and environmental justice in action. As an investor relatively new to investing in our disinvested communities, I am fortunate to have associated with such a high-quality lead partner in AJ Patton and I am humbled by what he has accomplished.?It takes a unique skillset to make a project like this happen and AJ is the total package,?Watch what he does next. ?If you have any interest and you are a Chicagoan (or otherwise are visiting), I invite you to take a drive on the Dan Ryan expressway, exit at 79th Street and head west.?You will see new development, construction cranes and new businesses.?This is what is happening in Chicago right now. Together, we can make things better.?Congratulations to all who made this project a success:?AJ PATTON, 548 Enterprise, Mercedesbenz Paxton, Alderman David Moore, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago, ComEd’s Affordable Housing New Construction Program, City of Chicago, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Chicago Department of Housing ?JPMorgan Chase & Co. through the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund and Lowe's Companies, Inc., https://lnkd.in/g-t_RYB2