Allies for Community Business

06/23/2026

In 2025, A4CB lent $1.9M to 13 entrepreneurs referred by Hire360 Partners. Through this partnership, which connects community members to construction industry careers, A4CB provides access to larger loan amounts than construction entrepreneurs might otherwise access.

Learn more about our partnerships: a4cb.org/about/reports

06/22/2026

New grant program! The Wells Fargo Neighborhood Growth Grants program is coming to Bronzeville and beyond, in collaboration with A4CB.

Eligible small businesses can apply for $25,000 grants to take their next steps, whether that’s expanding operations, upgrading equipment, or strengthening their foundation.

The application deadline is Friday, July 10 at 5:00 PM. Learn more: a4cb.org/grants

06/18/2026

Celebrate small business owners in our communities by joining A4CB at Toast to Community Business on September 24 at The Hatchery.

Purchase your ticket today and help us serve more community businesses that generate jobs and wealth in our neighborhoods. Don’t wait – early bird pricing ends on June 30! Register: https://loom.ly/xTXyFFY

06/16/2026

Growing up, Chris Clark’s passion for racket sports gave him real community. After years in the corporate world, Chris acted on his passions and, in 2020, opened Toss and Spin: a mobile racket sports club focused on building community through lessons, classes, and live events.

In 2025, Chris participated in A4CB’s Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab (NEL). Upon completion, Chris used his NEL grant funding to scale Toss and Spin’s mobile courts and invest in technology to create a Toss and Spin phone app where users check class availability and book sessions.

Chris now co-owns a new space in Hyde Park allowing him to offer year-round services.

Read more about Chris in our Annual Report: a4cb.org/about/reports

06/15/2026

Join A4CB on July 22 at 4:30 pm for a free workshop at The Hatchery Chicago. During the event, we’ll cover financial forecasting, business planning, understanding your customer, and more.

Register today: https://loom.ly/liv17K0

06/12/2026

Join us at the first outdoor neighborhood market of the year tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm at The Hatchery Chicago!

It's the beginning of the outdoor season of the Neighborhood Market! Join us this Saturday at The Hatchery (135 N Kedzie Ave) from 10am - 2pm. We'll have a bike repair station, fresh produce, a cooking demonstration, a live DJ, a lemonade and tea stand, baked goods, soaps, snacks, hot sauces, and plenty more of wonderful vendors from in and around Chicago. Need to pick up some last minute gifts for Father's Day? Our vendors will be selling some great gifts for the dads in your life.

Don't forget that the produce at our market is eligible for LinkUp, a program from Experimental Station, that allows SNAP users to double their benefits! For every dollar spent with SNAP, up to $25, the user will receive a $1 coupon that can be used for produce at the Market or any other market or grocery store that accepts the LinkUp coupons, including the Save A Lot in Garfield Park.

We would like to thank our sponsors, Alderman Jason Ervin, the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, Erie Community Health Centers, Wintrust Bank, Rush University System for Health, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, First Eagle Bank, Good Chaos, Youth Guidance, The Thierer Family Foundation, Preservation of Affordable Housing, The Michaels Organization, West Side United, and Lotus Property Group for helping to make this market possible!

06/11/2026

In 2024, Kimberly Brown opened Family Room Chicago, a neighborhood club and indoor play space with an emphasis on community building. Classes are offered, but open play is key. While kids socialize, parents can socialize. Bringing people together in this way is the root of Kimberly’s mission.

In 2025, she received two loans from A4CB to cover materials, furnishings, and initial payroll costs. Within a year, she expanded to three locations.

Kimberly aims to support the local economy and create spaces where families can gather, relax, and play every day.

Read more about Kimberly in our Annual Report: a4cb.org/about/reports

06/10/2026

Last year, we provided $11.4M in loans and we disbursed $1.4M in grant funds to entrepreneurs. We provided free coaching and other support services to 7,668 community business owners.

Read more in our 2025 Annual Report: a4cb.org/about/reports

06/09/2026

Last week we held our annual Pub & Grub event at The Hatchery Chicago celebrating our bank and community referral partners. We depend on our referral partners to connect us to entrepreneurs who need capital and coaching.

Year to date, A4CB has disbursed over $500k to entrepreneurs referred by bankers throughout the region. We look forward to continued work together to serve more small businesses!

06/09/2026

Are you looking to strengthen your personal credit and access funds to grow your business now and in the future?

A4CB’s Credit Builder Loan is designed to help business owners build their credit profile by establishing a new trade line on which they can make on-time payments.

Our Credit Builder Loan provides up to $2,500 in funding as a term loan or line of credit. This is a low document loan; you only need three months of personal and business bank statements to apply.

Apply: a4cb.loanwell.com