IFF

10/08/2026

Congratulations to The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture on earning national accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums! NMPRAC is now one of just 15 accredited museums in Chicago and only the fourth Latine museum in the nation to receive this honor.

Members of our team were excited to attend NMPRAC's 2026 Raíces Gala last month, where they got to celebrate Puerto Rican excellence, culture, and community!

To learn more about IFF's work with the Latine community: https://iff.org/services/capital-solutions/support-for-latine-led-orgs/

10/02/2026

Farah Ansari is a senior underwriter on IFF's Structured Finance team, and she's excited to participate in Habitat for Humanity Chicago's upcoming ! Joining her IFF colleagues, Farah will help build affordable homes that create homeownership opportunities for local families.

Support Farah and team Pain in the Glass here: https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2026/FarahA

10/01/2026

In an op-ed published by Crain's Chicago Business, IFF CEO Kirby Burkholder and the leaders of seven other community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in Chicago argue that using $57 million in the Chicago Community Catalyst Fund to close a short-term budget gap will sacrifice a permanent source of capital for catalytic neighborhood investments.

Instead, the authors advocate for the funding to be invested in local CDFIs that have a track record of deploying public funding to strengthen communities. With competitive standards for selecting CDFI partners, firm deployment goals, and regular public reporting, the Catalyst Fund can preserve the city’s principal and produce reasonable returns while supporting small businesses, affordable housing, community facilities, and other priorities in neighborhoods that need capital most.

Click here to learn more:

The City Council should preserve the Catalyst Fund and give it a new mandate to invest through CDFIs.

09/29/2026

IFF's full staff gathered in the Chicago area last week for our annual retreat, bringing together more than 150 colleagues from across the Midwest to learn from one another, clients, board members, and IFF's founder, Trinita Logue. It was also a great opportunity to connect in person for team building, with plenty of activities like trivia, line dancing, awards, and more!

To learn about joining our team before next year's retreat: https://iff.org/contact-us/careers/

09/24/2026

Zoe Clemmons is IFF's Internal Communications Manager, and she is getting ready to participate in her first Women Build with Habitat for Humanity Chicago in October. Zoe is excited to work alongside colleagues at IFF to build affordable housing and learn how to use power tools.

To help Zoe and team Stud Finders reach their fundraising goals: https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2026/Member/MyPage/10563944/Zoe-Clemmons

09/23/2026

Congratulations to Global Preparatory Academies, which recently opened a new middle school campus in Indianapolis equipped to serve up to 325 students in grades 6-8! Across its two campuses, Global Prep offers the only free bilingual immersion Spanish-English school in the State of Indiana, and IFF was thrilled to support the K-8 charter system's growth by providing a credit enhancement on the bonds that financed the new middle school campus.

To learn more about the new campus and Global Prep's model: https://mirrorindy.org/global-prep-academy-middle-school-opening-indianapolis-public-education-summer-2026/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=An%20Indy%20charter%20school%20expands%20while%20others%20shrink&utm_campaign=ITM%2008%2F12%2F2026

09/22/2026

Thank you to Studio 2226 for opening its doors for Propel South Shore! We had a great time connecting with nonprofit leaders on Chicago's South Side, learning about their work, and sharing information about how IFF can help their organizations achieve their goals!

To learn more about Propel: https://iff.org/services/capital-solutions/propel/

09/16/2026

At IFF, we know that high-quality early childhood education (ECE) requires safe, healthy, and inspiring physical spaces where children can truly thrive. In ECE, the physical space in which kids are is known as "The Third Teacher" because it directly shapes a child's cognitive, emotional, and social development.

That's why we are very excited to participate in Detroit Month of Design! Come join us for "The Third Teacher: Designing the Future of Detroit's Early Childhood Education Facilities," where we will explore how intentional facility design transforms outcomes for Detroit's children, strengthens ECE providers, and reinforces the broader community ecosystem. Join us this Saturday, Sept. 19 at longtime IFF client Children of the Rising Sun Empowerment Center , for an open house conversation from 11 am to 2 pm ET.

To register for the event: https://www.detroitmonthofdesign.org/event-details/the-third-teacher-designing-the-future-of-detroits-early-childhood-education-facilities

09/10/2026

Caitin is ready to participate in with Habitat for Humanity Chicago! As a Project Manager on IFF's Community Development Solutions team, Caitin manages development projects through concept, predevelopment, closing, construction, and close-out. She is excited to go from managing a project to building one!

Help Caitin and team Pain in the Glass reach their fundraising goal at: https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2026/caitinhartnett

09/08/2026

Propel is coming to South Shore this Friday, September 11! Join us at Studio 2226 from 9 to 11 am, and talk with our lenders and Real Estate Solutions team to learn how IFF can help advance and scale your nonprofit.

To register for this event: https://iff.org/services/capital-solutions/propel/