Catalyst Fund

The Catalyst Fund is Chicago’s $50 million social impact fund, which powers our work to transform the economic landscape of underserved communities in four ways:  

• Equity and inclusivity. The fund seeks to maximize financial capability for all Chicagoans. 

• Transparency. The fund’s investments are open to all local investment firms, and reporting is made available every year. 

• Protection. The fund’s investments are protected and seek to maximize profitability, returning capital to taxpayers with preservation as a priority. 

• Impact. The fund focuses on the growth of small businesses that power our economy, increasing their access to capital and revenue opportunities. 

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Catalyst Fund responded quickly with up to a $50 million investment in the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund to assist the city’s vibrant community of small businesses. The fund provided low-interest loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses retain employees and maintain operations in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods during a time of unprecedented economic hardship and uncertainty, enabling thousands of organizations to bridge financial gaps and remain in business.