Meet the Previous Finalists
Chicago Prize invites proposals from community-led initiatives with a compelling vision for how investments in the built environment could create lasting economic impact and build wealth in their neighborhoods. We received bold, ambitious plans from nearly every South and West side community to build more inclusive and lasting prosperity for residents.
We met inspirational and committed leaders with the talent, vision, and drive to make generational change. And we were again reminded of the tremendous untapped potential found in Chicago neighborhoods.
These finalists reflect the highest aspirations of the Chicago Prize – ambitious plans, capable teams, and thoughtful strategies to meet the unique needs of their communities. To help these teams move their projects forward, Pritzker Traubert Foundation provides each team the opportunity to access up to $500,000 in matching grants.
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Back of the Yards: Rooted and Rising
Rooted and Rising is a reimagining of the Back of the Yards community that will redevelop an abandoned building into a mixed-used community hub. The one-stop shop hub will include affordable housing, a new performing arts center, three community-based service providers, and a new Chicago Public Library branch. The initiative is led by Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council in partnership with Park Row Development, JGMA, Wallin/Gomez Architects, and ALL Construction Group.
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Bringing Communities Back Initiative
The Bringing Communities Back Initiative is a bold initiative that will repurpose nearly 1 million square feet of blighted community areas into thriving community anchors in Greater Roseland. The initiative includes five projects focused on housing, health, and entertainment. It will also invest in minority contractors, homeownership programs, and make small grants to residents and businesses. The initiative is led by Far South CDC.
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Creating a Solidarity Economy: Centro de Solidaridad Mi Villita
Creating a Solidarity Economy plans to renovate a building on W 31st Street into a new community hub in Little Village. The hub will create a solidarity economy through programming in food production, environmental justice, and cultural education. It is led by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization.
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Cultivate Collective
Cultivate Collective consists of five projects designed to catalyze economic development and general local wealth through durable green economy pathways for job training, business incubation, homeownership assistance, employment, and prosperity in Garfield Ridge. It is led by Cultivate Collective and partner organizations Academy for Global Citizenship and Greater Southwest Development Corporation.
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Go Green on Racine
Go Green On Racine consists of three projects that will activate the 63rd Street corridor in Englewood. Projects include a Fresh Market that opened in March 2022; The Regenerator, a repurposing of former Chicago Public School as a hub providing housing, reentry services, and green enterprise; and the Racine Village, which is a mixed-use development with housing, a business incubator, and a fine-dining restaurant. It is led by Inner-City Muslim Action Network, Teamwork Englewood, Resident Association of Greater Englewood, and E.G. Woode. Pritzker Traubert Foundation supported the development of the Fresh Market.
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Now is the Time: Advancing North Lawndale Together
Now is the Time envisions a healthy, vibrant North Lawndale with a diversified and innovative economy, competitive workforce, engaged residents, and a civic infrastructure that supports long-term, sustainable growth. The initiative consists of six projects designed to provide medical services, housing, workforce and financial programs, and creative placemaking. It is led by the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council. Pritzker Traubert Foundation supported both the development of the North Lawndale Employment Network’s Workforce Campus and the Lazarus Apartments.
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The Aspire Initiative
The Aspire Initiative consists of four projects that seek to create a high-quality cradle-to-career educational system and a revitalized economy by and for residents in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. It is led by Austin Coming Together and Westside Health Authority. Pritzker Traubert Foundation supported the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, which is a repurposing of the former Emmet Elementary School into an anchor for commercial revitalization and workforce training.
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Thrive Exchange
Thrive Exchange is a multi-faceted development initiative that is focused on improving public health outcomes in South Shore and South Chicago through workforce development a strategic placemaking. It consists of three capital projects and the formation of a new CDC. The initiative is led by DL3 Realty Advisors, Chicago Family Health Center, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and Revere Properties.
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We’re Steel Here New Homes
We’re Steel Here is an initiative to rehabilitate and increase housing and homeownership, create public spaces for recreation and healthy activity, and increase commercial and retail activity. It has nine projects that together they hope will turn South Chicago into a culturally vibrant and cohesive community of choice that offers residents a safe, affordable, and opportunity-rich neighborhood. The initiative is led by Claretian Associates. Pritzker Traubert Foundation supported the New Homes Project, which renovated vacant single-family homes into affordable two-flat multi-family homes.
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Xchange Chicago
Xchange Chicago is advancing innovative workforce solutions that equip local residents with the skills and resources to access high-growth employment opportunities in tech and other rapidly growing fields with high earning potential. It is led by Comer Science and Education Foundation, P33, SDI Presence, and leading local organizations. The 28,000 square foot tech hub in Greater Grand Crossing offers a dynamic new business model on the South Side – one that creates more powerful opportunity for diverse talent, commercial growth and community impact.