Allies for Community Business Inc
Allies for Community Business (A4CB), formerly known as Accion Chicago, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based on Chicago's West Side. Founded in 1994, the organization provides capital, coaching, and connections to small businesses to help them create jobs and wealth in their communities. A4CB operates as a financial services nonprofit with approximately 34-44 employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.4M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$495K
-45.1% YoY
Grant Count
18
-58.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
+31.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
A4CB supports small businesses that strengthen their communities by providing:
- Capital: Loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses at fair prices
- Coaching: Free business coaching available to anyone wanting to start or grow a business
- Connections: Links to trusted partners and resources to support business growth
The organization prioritizes serving Black, Hispanic/Latinx, women, and low-income entrepreneurs throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. Primary focus areas include community improvement, capacity building, and management services for small business and entrepreneurs.
Grantmaking
A4CB makes grants to support nonprofit organizations and community initiatives:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
A4CB operates primarily in the Chicagoland area, with particular emphasis on Chicago's West Side neighborhoods. Grantmaking activity has been documented in Illinois and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $36,374,214
- Total Revenue: $9,940,987
- Total Expenses: $9,802,100
- Total Liabilities: $21,200,000 (2023)
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $35,556,703
- Total Revenue: $9,139,197
- Total Expenses: $8,848,618
Funding Received:
- Grant from U.S. Department of the Treasury: $1.7M (April 2023)
- Grant from Wells Fargo: $2.5M (June 2025)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,374,214 | $35,556,703 | $47,279,806 |
| Revenue | $9,940,987 | $9,139,197 | $8,974,469 |
| Expenses | $9,802,100 | $8,848,618 | $7,836,906 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $137,559 | $79,460 | $77,621 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Forefront ($125,000), Crown Family Philanthropies ($50,000), Laos to Your House ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LAOS TO YOUR HOUSE CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| STORY & REACH COMMUNICATIONS ATLANTA, GA | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| HOOK POINT FISHERIES CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| SPA IN YOUR SPACE MOBILE SPA INC OAK PARK, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| FATSO HARD KITCHEN LLC CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| PHILLIPE C'EST BON- POLOMBIA CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| BLDG PROJECTS CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| CHOCOLAT UZMA CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| A WARNER IDEA LLC HAZELCREST, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
| VIETFIVE LLC CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB COHORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- Brad McConnell: Chief Executive Officer
- Jennie Motto Mesterharm: Chief Operating Officer
- Kaitlin Allen Donnelly: Chief Development Officer (joined December 2025)
- Celia W: Senior Portfolio Leader
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARLENE HIGHTOWER | CHAIR, OUTREACH | 2.25 | — |
| HORACIO MENDEZ | TREASURER, FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR | 2.25 | — |
| S MICHAEL MCCRACKEN | CHAIR, PORTFOLIO AND CREDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR | 2.25 | — |
| ADRIANNE SPIVEY | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| ANTHONY WALLER | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| BEN BOCHNOWSKI | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| CLEMENTE NICADO | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| JUAN ORTIZ | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| MARIAH VAN ERMEN | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| OSCAR JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| SHANDRA RICHARDSON | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| TAZ GEORGE | DIRECTOR | 2.25 | — |
| BRAD MCCONNELL | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $207,284 |
| ROWAN RICHARDS | DIRECTOR OF COACHING AND C | 40 | $172,834 |
| MARY TRITSIS | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY BUSI | 40 | $166,399 |
| JILL KOZELUH | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $139,244 |
| JENNIE MOTTO MESTERHARM | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $135,276 |
| MARY RILEY | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELA | 40 | $135,034 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
A4CB has been active in supporting Chicago's small business community through various initiatives:
[PDF] 2023 990 - Allies for Community BusinessAdministered grant funds through the Chi Biz Strong Grant Program and Outdoor Dining Grant Program, which awarded funds to over 2,000 Chicago businesses and nonprofits
Over 2,000 Chicago Businesses and Nonprofits Awarded Grant Funds for the\Distributed $8.5 million in Wells Fargo grants to assist Chicago small businesses impacted by COVID-19
Over 2,000 Chicago Businesses and Nonprofits Awarded Grant Funds for the\Launched the eighth cohort of the Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab, an entrepreneurship training program
Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab Launches Eighth Cohort \u2022 Allies for\The organization maintains an active presence with 3,516 LinkedIn followers and continues to expand its workforce and service offerings.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Allies for Community Business Inc fund?
A4CB supports small businesses that strengthen their communities by providing: • **Capital**: Loans ranging from $500 to $100,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses at fair prices • **Coaching**: Free business coaching available to anyone wanting to start or grow a business • **Connections**: Links to trusted partners and resources to support business growth The organization prioritizes serving Black, Hispanic/Latinx, women, and low-income entrepreneurs throughout the Chicagoland ar…
How do I apply for a grant from Allies for Community Business Inc?
A4CB makes grants to support nonprofit organizations and community initiatives: **Recent Grant Activity:** • Donors Forum: $125,000 (2024) to support Hatchery Programming • Crown Family Foundation: $50,000 (2023) to support Hatchery Programming **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $20,000–$125,000 • Total giving in 2024: $901,683
Where does Allies for Community Business Inc make grants?
A4CB operates primarily in the Chicagoland area, with particular emphasis on Chicago's West Side neighborhoods. Grantmaking activity has been documented in Illinois and Georgia.
What size grants does Allies for Community Business Inc award?
In 2024, Allies for Community Business Inc awarded 18 grants totaling $495K — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Allies for Community Business Inc's EIN?
Allies for Community Business Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3966573. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Allies for Community Business Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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