$12 Million in New Investments to Benefit Chicago Neighborhoods

Benefit Chicago today announced its first round of long-anticipated impact investments: $12 million of loans to train and employ adults with autism, to support numerous retail, business and job development efforts as well as to build projects supporting youth and families in underserved Chicago neighborhoods. Borrowers include a vertical hydroponic vegetable farm, two job training enterprises, and three Community Development Finance Institutions. To date Benefit Chicago has raised $77 million of its $100 million goal. Beyond the initial commitments from MIE member MacArthur Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust, individual and institutional investors have made investments ranging from just $20 up to $2 million.

 

Read more on the Chicago Tribune and the MacArthur Foundation website.