Community First® Developer Program (delivered through FCI)
Funding Amount
Varies by project (examples: $214,500, $241,000)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Nonprofits committed to expanding affordable housing access
Other requirements
- Organizations working in affordable housing development
- Educational institutions with housing programs
Overview
Community First® Developer Program
Funder: Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, delivered through Forward Community Investments as member bank sponsor
Overview:
The Community First® Developer Program provides grants to support the development of affordable housing leaders and emerging developers. The program funds fellowships, internships, and educational initiatives that strengthen the pipeline of real estate professionals committed to expanding access to affordable housing and community development.
Geographic Scope: Illinois and Wisconsin
Focus Areas:
- Affordable housing development capacity building
- Fellowships and internships for emerging professionals
- Educational programs in affordable housing
- Project management and community engagement training
Eligible Applicants:
- Organizations working in affordable housing development
- Educational institutions with housing programs
- Nonprofits committed to expanding affordable housing access
Recent Awards:
- $214,500 to University of Wisconsin Housing Scholar Program (March 2026)
- $241,000 to Kaba-Baal LLC for fellowships and internships (March 2026)
- $5.9 million distributed across Illinois and Wisconsin in one funding round, supporting 110+ fellowships and internships at 28 organizations
www.forwardci.org
More Information: https://www.fhlbc.com/products-programs/housing-community-grants/developer-program
What Forward Community Investments Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2023 — the most recent filing with itemized grants
- Grants in 2023
- 2
- Total given
- $55K
- Median grant
- $28K
- Range
- $15K–$40K
- By dollars: Wisconsin 100%. Top recipient cities: Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI.
Example grants
Layton Boulevard West Neighbors Inc · Milwaukee, WI
Affordable housing lush home project
$40K
Madison Reading Project Inc · Madison, WI
New bus program extension
$15K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Affordable housing
- Workforce development
- Capacity building
Categories
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