Neighborhood Real Estate Development Grant Application Review
We serve as a trusted real estate evaluation partner to the Chicago Community Trust, providing technical analysis to inform grant award decisions across multiple impactful community development programs.
Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Across three grant programs — the Neighborhood Capital Fund, Pre-Development Fund, and We Rise Together initiative — SB Friedman has assessed the real estate readiness of applicants pursuing neighborhood-scale development projects in Chicago's South and West Side Black and Latinx communities. Our analyses have consistently informed the Trust's funding decisions, helping direct millions of dollars toward community and economic development.
Work Completed
Evaluated 29 project scopes and 10 project applications for real estate readiness under the Neighborhood Capital Fund in Fall 2025
Delivered summary briefing books and participated in external review committee meetings to provide clarifications and findings for the Neighborhood Capital Fund and We Rise Together programs
Reviewed grant applications across multiple funding rounds for the Pre-Development Fund since 2022, providing ongoing technical assistance to the Trust
Evaluated 10 real estate projects applying for the final round of We Rise Together grant funding in 2023
Results
Neighborhood Capital Fund: Briefing book delivered December 2025; findings presented to the review committee in January 2026; approximately $8M in awards expected in February 2026
Pre-Development Fund: Our analyses informed awards to 12 of 14 applicants in Spring 2025 and 7 of 10 applicants in Fall 2025; currently supporting the Spring 2026 round
We Rise Together: Briefing book delivered December 2023; the Trust awarded more than $7M in grants to eight development projects in February 2024
Testimonial
Christen Wiggins, Chicago Community Trust
“Working with SB Friedman has been a powerful collaboration- deepening our ability to evaluate real estate proposals efficiently. I’ve also been impressed by the grace and nuance they bring to meetings with potential grant partners, making everyone feel seen and respected.”