NEWS
NICI Grantee Spotlight: Think Big!
Through grant support from NICI, Think Big! has been able to sustain and expand the School of Business, a four-week program for entrepreneurs at every stage to learn skills and receive coaching that will strengthen their businesses.
$10,800 Loan Bolsters Adult Day Care for Active 60-plus Adults
Thanks to a $10,800 loan supported by our NICV program, Brittney Jeter saw her vision for an adult day service come to life. The Young 60 Plus Club takes a proactive approach to helping seniors stay active, providing social services, community resources, and activities.
$2,500 Loan Helps Meat Marinade Producer Secure $250K Contract
“The pandemic killed my business,” says Hector Delgado of Sensory Partners, Inc., but thanks to a $2,500 NICV loan, Sensory Partners could acquire the necessary materials to develop a one-of-a-kind marinade — securing a $250K restaurant contract.
Pillar Deep Dive: Fostering Economic Mobility in Northern Illinois
What does economic mobility look like in action? This month, we dive into how NICI’s programs and the great work of our grantee partners are fostering economic mobility in our communities.
Nonprofit developing a video game app for fun, easy access to social emotional learning tools
Through a $25,000 NICV loan, Youth Transformational Services will complete the development of a mobile game app that teaches SEL and conflict resolution skills to students.
NICI Grantee Spotlight: YWCA Northwestern Illinois
Through adapting to the unique needs of the six counties served while championing the YWCA’s larger mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, the YWCA Northwestern Illinois has grown into a significant driver of workforce development in the region.
Taking the Initiative: Introducing NICI's Newsletter
We are pleased to announce the debut of Northern Illinois Community Initiatives’ new, quarterly newsletter!
Pillar Highlight: Investing in Economic Mobility
NICI’s mission is to build a more vibrant and equitable region by investing in bold economic development initiatives that help underserved communities thrive.
Dixmoor Notary Public obtains $21,000 loan to expand remote, mobile services
Latania Johnson began offering mobile and remote notary services as part of her tax preparation business is one that most people can relate to.
Impact Grant will allow nonprofit to hire a case manager to focus on barriers to employment
Why did a nonprofit founded to promote HIV prevention and testing in low-income communities do a hard pivot to become an employment solutions provider?
Think Big! School of Business helps aspiring entrepreneurs do it right
A Rockford woman wanted to open a soul food restaurant. She signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot space and hired seven employees but didn’t purchase a POS system.
Harvey Brooks Foundation grows its own to combat food insecurity
There’s a popular proverb that says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives commits $100,000 to promote wellness, economic self-sufficiency in South Suburban Cook County
On July 20th, NICI announced a total commitment of $100,000 to Proactive Community Services in Flossmoor.
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives commits $100,000 to support financial literacy, programming at the Harvey Brooks Foundation
NICI announced a grant renewal of $100,000 to the Harvey Brooks Foundation in Joliet.
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives commits $200,000 to advancing economic growth, entrepreneurship in Rockford
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives (NICI), a foundation created by Nicor Gas, today announced a total commitment of $200,000 to Think Big! and YWCA Northwestern Illinois.
YW Tech Lab trains underrepresented groups for living-wage STEM careers
It’s a fact that women, Blacks and Hispanics are the least likely to major in science and engineering in college. Even when they do, they aren’t as likely to remain on a STEM career path through graduation.
Northern Illinois Community Ventures Supports Women and Minority Entrepreneurs
Borrowing money has become more expensive and restrictive, making access to capital even harder.
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives to provide $1 million for small business loans to support women, minority entrepreneurs
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives announced a new economic development program called Northern Illinois Community Ventures (NICV).
School of Business Wins NICI Grant to Launch More Entrepreneurial Dreams
Think Big!, founded in 2018, helps disadvantaged entrepreneurs overcome barriers to establishing and growing their own businesses.
Nonprofit trains youth in community gardening to address grocery shortages
Melvin Leach, a case worker for the Harvey Brooks Foundation of Joliet, is aware of the lack of grocery stores in the city’s predominately African American neighborhoods. But living in a food desert hits harder some days than others, he said.