IFF's Impact
By State
Aside from being one of the most flexible lenders in the country, one of the other things that sets IFF apart from other CDFIs is our regional model, which includes executive directors leading each regional strategy. Because of the unique elements of each of IFF’s markets — from the volume of nonprofits and population densities to the government policies and individual needs of local communities — having leaders located in and deeply connected to those markets ensures that IFF is equipped to provide flexible capital, real estate consulting, and development services tailored to each location.
Select the state icons below to learn more about the impact and programming across IFF’s footprint.
Illinois
IFF’s Community Development Solutions and Home First teams developed a combined 46 housing units through Home Sweet Homan, Homan Square Permanent Supportive Housing, and Access Health and Housing in Maywood.
Among the nonprofit organizations supported were BandWith Chicago and The Ark. For BandWith, IFF closed two loans totaling $1.75 million to support the acquisition and renovation of a 25,000-square-foot facility in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood that the organization will operate as a performing arts hub. IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team also provided predevelopment support for the project and is serving as the owner’s representative during renovations. In May, The Ark, which provides essential human services to members of Chicago’s Jewish community in need, celebrated the opening of its expanded facility with support from IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team, which included a feasibility study and owner’s representative services.
Also in 2024, the Stronger Nonprofits Initiative funded by JPMorgan Chase celebrated the completion of its fourth Chicago cohort, bringing the total number of participating organizations since the program launched in 2017 to 98. Chicago’s Cultural Treasures, funded by a collective of national and Chicago-based foundation partners, also distributed a second round of grants totaling $3 million to the 40 original grantees while continuing to provide crucial technical assistance.
“2024 was another big year for the Chicago Metro Region. Not only did we show up for nonprofits across the entire metro area with our flexible financing, but we celebrated major development milestones through both Community Development Solutions and Home First, which allowed us opportunities to connect with community members, funders, and city and state officials to further underscore the importance of IFF’s work.” - Vickie Lakes-Battle, executive director for IFF’s Chicago Metro Region.
Indiana
In southeast Indianapolis, IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team partnered with community members and Indy Parks and Recreation to complete a feasibility study exploring development scenarios for the Norwood Family Center, an intergenerational heritage center that would both honor the Norwood community’s history as one of the nation’s oldest, descendant-maintained Black communities in the United States and provide a high-quality venue for community strengthening services and programming.
And in Muncie, IFF provided public K-8 charter school Inspire Academy with approximately $202,000 in financing to upgrade its facility by completing roof repairs and repaving its parking lot. Opened in 2013, Inspire Academy was Muncie’s first public charter school and has since increased its capacity from 124 to 199 students as it has focused on fostering students’ natural inclination toward curiosity, discovery, and adventure.
“In 2024, IFF’s work in Indiana reached all parts of the state as we helped nonprofits meet pressing local needs for more health care options, increased access to child care, a greater supply of affordable housing, and community-driven facilities that provide Hoosiers with high-quality spaces to convene and connect. Through our partnerships with CDFI Friendly organizations in Bloomington, South Bend, and Evansville, we continued to lean into our work to improve the energy efficiency of nonprofits’ facilities so that they can reduce their utility bills and maximize their investments in programming. We’re excited to build on this momentum and ensure that more mission-driven organizations in Indiana have the resources they need to do their best work." - Amandula Anderson, executive director for IFF’s Indiana Region.
Kansas
IFF closed a $200,000 loan that enabled Prairieland Market to purchase equipment for the grocery store’s new leased location in Salina, KS. This was in addition to a $25,000 grant the store received through the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative, of which IFF is a partner. The 4,525-square-foot facility tripled the size of the grocery store’s previous location, enabling Prairieland to increase its grocery sales and expand its prepared food program, which includes local, seasonal produce and minimizes food waste at the store.
In Derby, KS, Dalmark Development Group completed the first affordable housing project in Kansas to leverage a new state tax credit that matches federal 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs). The resyndication and rehab of Brookridge Plaza Apartments is preserving the affordability of a senior housing complex in a community with a documented need for quality affordable rental housing for older adults with limited income. The $7.56 million rehab was financed with a $4.3 million loan from IFF, the fourth provided to the developer since 2012. Unlike the previous three loans, this one was a construction to permanent loan that provided the final component of the project’s capital stack and enabled the revitalization of Brookridge Plaza to proceed.
Michigan
Through the Michigan Affordable Housing Loan Program (MAHLP), IFF closed multiple loans across Kent and Ottawa counties to support the development of affordable housing. One of the borrowers that benefited from MAHLP was Magnus Capital Partners, which received a $3.7 million loan that provided the developer with financing to begin a mixed-use development in Wyoming, MI, HōM Flats at 28 West – Phase 3, with 225 units of high-quality workforce housing and 9,000 square feet of commercial space that will include a child care center. The developer also received two additional loans to support another mixed-use development, HōM Flats at 24 East, in Holland, MI, which consists of 202 units of affordable and market-rate workforce housing with an on-site child care center.
Additionally, IFF closed two loans totaling $5.34 million to support Micah 6 Community’s renovation of a former elementary school in Pontiac, MI, which the organization owns, to create the Webster Community Center. Once completed, the facility will serve upwards of 16,000 people per year.
“To say that 2024 was a big year hardly cuts it. Not only did last year mark IFF’s 10-year anniversary in Michigan, but it also marked the completion of Caring for MI Future, a full year of capital deployment through the Michigan Affordable Housing Loan Program, the opening of our first owned development in Michigan – McClellan Early Childhood Center – and so much more. In large part due to the housing fund, our financing helped develop over one million square feet of real estate. We engaged with early child care providers from every corner of the state. And we had the opportunity to celebrate with stakeholders, funders, supporters, and community members throughout our 10-year anniversary celebration." - Chris Uhl, executive director for IFF’s Eastern Region
Missouri
IFF closed a $172,000 loan that provided the African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) with financing to renovate a 980-square-foot facility that the nonprofit will lease to a sister organization — Uhuru Foods & Pies — to operate as Uhuru Bakery & Café in an area on St. Louis’ north side that is currently classified as a “food desert.” APEDF was founded in 1994 to defend the human and civil rights of the African community and to end the disparities faced by African people in health care, education, and economic development by establishing institutions and programs that put African people in control of their own community life.
In East St. Louis, IL — which borders Missouri and is located just minutes from Downtown St. Louis — IFF wrapped up the second cohort of its Quality Facilities for All Initiative (QFA) Grant Program. Supported by IFF’s Southern Region team, the program provided seven early childhood education providers with approximately $50,000 each for renovation projects that enhanced infant and toddler facilities. Facility upgrades included repainting, replacing flooring and windows, and renovating outdoor play spaces. QFA’s work with these seven grantees impacted nearly 80 percent of East St. Louis’ children ages five and under.
“Access to quality, affordable child care is a critical need in IFF’s Southern Region, and in 2024, we continued to focus on bridging the gap between the existing supply and the demand through programs like QFA, increased collaboration with partners to help strengthen the ecosystem, and by deploying flexible capital and real estate services to ensure that early childhood education providers have the support and resources needed to upgrade their facilities and serve more children." - Stephen Westbrooks, executive director for IFF’s Southern Region
Ohio
Among the clients served in 2024 include The ABCD, Inc. (ABCD), which IFF provided a $500,000 loan for the redevelopment of a former bank branch in Canton, OH, to serve as the organization’s new headquarters. Founded in 1974, ABCD, a certified Community Housing Development Organization, provides housing, economic development, transportation, and energy conservation services to the residents of Stark County, OH.
Additionally, at the recommendation of The Columbus Foundation, IFF’s Real Estate Solutions team supported Riverview International Center (RIC), which provides wraparound support to Columbus’ immigrant community, after the nonprofit received an eviction notice following the sale of its leased headquarters. To help the organization navigate the transition, IFF completed a facility feasibility analysis that assessed RIC’s needs and capacity to lease or purchase a permanent facility equipped to support the organization’s continued growth.
Wisconsin
In Milwaukee, two of the nonprofits IFF served were Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) and Rooted & Rising (R&R). IFF provided K4-12 charter school MAS with three loans totaling $8.3 million to renovate its facility and expand to a second location to increase enrollment capacity and provide more students with high-quality, STEM-based education. For R&R, IFF provided a $75,000 loan that enabled the nonprofit to proceed with the construction of a 4,500-square-foot, nature-based playscape at the neighborhood nonprofit’s Growing Tree Children’s Center.
And in Madison, WI, IFF closed a $900,000 loan for Mercy Dental Missions (formerly Affordable Dental Care) that provided the nonprofit with financing for moving expenses and leasehold improvements to the organization’s new, 4,358-square-foot facility.