Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
ChiFresh Kitchen, Co-Op That Hires Formerly Incarcerated People To Cook For Those In Need, Finds A New Home In Greater Grand Crossing
Within two years, co-op members hope to be making 5,000 meals daily at a new facility at 400 E. 71st St.
This Couple Spent Lockdown Exploring Their Passion For Coffee. Now, They’re Opening Their Own Cafe
Jackie and Pierre Marquez plan to open Tasa Coffee at 4136 W. North Ave. next year.
A Popular West Side Dessert Shop Is Getting A Sweet Makeover With An Expanded Dining Area, New Facade
Bitoy's Sweet Treats in Austin was awarded a city Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant, which will be used to upgrade the building and customer experience.
With New Restaurants, A Bookstore And Beauty Salon, South Side Entrepreneurs Hope To Keep Local Dollars In The Neighborhoods
South Side entrepreneurs and nonprofits are bringing their dream communities to life thanks to a new round of Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants.
After Years Selling Negro League-Inspired Clothes, A Bronzeville Businessman Is Opening His First Store Thanks To City Grant
Flyball, Reggio's Pizza and Pop That Pop On The Grove received grants through the city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.
South, West Side Entrepreneurs Get $10 Million In City Grants To Expand And Build Their Businesses
Nuevo Leon Bakery, Reggio's Pizza and ChiFresh Kitchen are among the businesses that got city money to build up their work.
Burst Into Books To Open Community Center And Bookstore For Kids Of Color In Roseland
The nonprofit with a focus on literacy plans to open "a space for the youth" of Roseland and the Far South Side in September, founder Jurema Gorham said. "When the kids walk in ... they'll say, 'This was created for me.'"
Englewood Business Owners Can Get Free Help Applying For $250K City Grants
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant deadline has been extended until April 16.
Future Of South Shore Architecture Studio Uncertain As Plan To Buy 79th Street Animal Hospital Falls Through
TnS Studio design principal Taylor Staten said she'd still prefer to open the studio's headquarters in South Shore, but she may explore sites in Avalon Park or Bronzeville.
$250,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants Available For South, West Side Business Owners
The money can be used for construction, renovations, buying land and more. Applications are due by April 9.
West Side Job Readiness Campus Will Soon Open, Giving Residents Opportunity To ‘Launch A New Beginning’
The workforce development campus is set to open March 15, bringing a cafe, banking services and more to the area.
How A Chicago Political Hangout Went From Bustling To Boarded-Up — Even After The City Promised Help
Wallace’s Catfish Corner, a fish and soul food restaurant on the West Side, was a neighborhood staple. Now the building is boarded-up and unused. Its messy history shows the challenges of rebuilding an area devastated by disinvestment.
West Side Job Readiness Campus Gets $2.5 Million Boost From City Grant
The workforce development center will house programs for returning citizens, as well as a community events space and cafe.
None Of The City’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants Went To North Lawndale Last Round
Lawndale is one of the neighborhoods that is supposed to be prioritized under the INVEST South/West initiative. Now the fund has reopened, and West Side leaders are encouraging applicants to try again.
South, West Side Business Owners Can Now Apply For $250,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants
Applications for grants of up to $250,000 are open through Nov. 6. They're for entrepreneurs and non-profits on the South and West sides.
Little Village’s Xquina Cafe And Incubator Will More Than Double In Size, Move Across The Street
The project will now include a shared commercial kitchen and gallery event space.
City Awards 1,500 Grants To Small Businesses Decimated By Coronavirus, Vandalism
The $6.2 million in grants is the first allocation from the Together Now fund launched last month by the mayor.
Huddle House, A 24-Hour Diner Known For Big Breakfasts, Opening First Chicago Location In Pill Hill
The diner will be just the second full-service dining option in the 8th Ward. It's expected to open in 2021.
Black Woman-Led Architecture Firm Opening South Shore Studio, Camp For Kids To Help Diversify Industry
Aided by a $90,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant from the city, TnS Studio plans to bring an architecture studio to a former animal hospital at 79th Street and Oglesby Avenue.
More Than 30 South, West Side Businesses Awarded Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants
The application period ended in February and was the first overseen by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. More than 325 businesses applied for funding.
