COMMUNITY DESK CHICAGO

EIN: 923414074 501(c)(3) Community Improvement

Chicago, IL

Total Revenue
$2,462,835
Total Expenses
$1,644,802
Total Assets
$3,263,088
Net Assets
$2,593,831
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2023
Legal Domicile
IL
Principal Officer
Ja' Net Defell
Phone
3126386992
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

COMMUNITY DESK CHICAGO, founded in 2023, is a community nonprofit in the Community Improvement sector that reported $2.5M in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue surged 305% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $818K, a strong 33% operating margin.

Mission

Community Desk Chicago ("the Desk") is an Illinois 501 (C)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to advance equitable economic prosperity in collaboration with historically under-resourced communities. The Organization serves as a help desk and works with nonprofits, community developers and entrepreneurs to assemble the necessary capital, expertise and other resources to develop brick-and-mortar projects that foster wealth building and a high quality of life.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $244,416 Revenue: $0

Neighborhood Developers Initiative (NDI) - Real estate development capacity building for community-based nonprofits. NDI provides structured learning and technical coaching focused on building...

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Neighborhood Developers Initiative (NDI) - Real estate development capacity building for community-based nonprofits. NDI provides structured learning and technical coaching focused on building knowledge related to real estate development and creating the necessary strategic development plans to be successful. The initial $3M investment was leveraged to secure an additional $4.4M in capital grants and $2.7M in operating support. The program is currently operating in the Englewood, South Shore and Humboldt Park communities in Chicago.

Program 2
Expenses: $377,887 Revenue: $0

Wealth Our Way (WOW) - A new program launched in 2025 serving as the overarching initiative for shared ownership and wealth building models. The Desk's previous Community Investment Vehicle (CIV)...

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Wealth Our Way (WOW) - A new program launched in 2025 serving as the overarching initiative for shared ownership and wealth building models. The Desk's previous Community Investment Vehicle (CIV) programming is encompassed in this new initiative. These shared ownership models are emerging community development tools that help to support the revitalization of neighborhoods through real estate and small businesses. The City of Chicago seeded the WOW Capital Grant program with $4.1M to provide capital grants along with technical coaching to shared ownership models in Chicago. To date, $2.6M in capital grants were awarded. The Desk also supported an additional $1.6M in grants and loans for other shared ownership projects.

Program 3
Expenses: $237,063 Revenue: $0

CorridorLive! - Comprehensive redevelopment of commercial corridors in under-resourced communities. CorridorLive! is designed to reduce blight and high vacancy, increase local ownership and improve...

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CorridorLive! - Comprehensive redevelopment of commercial corridors in under-resourced communities. CorridorLive! is designed to reduce blight and high vacancy, increase local ownership and improve the quality of life for residents. The program coordinates the necessary capital and resources for corridor stabilization and long-term strategic property acquisitions to bring new products and services to the community. To date, $5.47M has been secured to support targeted corridors on the south and west side of Chicago.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $2,455,635
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $250
Other Revenue $6,950
TOTAL REVENUE $2,462,835

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $764,711
Fundraising Expenses $29,481
Program Expenses $1,405,013
Other Expenses $880,091
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,644,802

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $2,462,835 $608,118 +3.0%
Expenses $1,644,802 $780,351 +1.1%
Net Income $818,033 $-172,233 -5.7%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
9
Independent Members
8
Employees
8
Volunteers
9

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$187,463
Total Directors
9
$187,463
Key Employees
1
$187,463
Highest Compensated
1
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Ja'Net Defell President and CEO 40
Officer Director Key Emp
$167,981 $19,482 $187,463
Nneka Onwuzurike Executive Director of CWEB 40
Highest
$128,583 $11,639 $140,222
Kirby Burkholder Chairperson 2
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Torrence Moore Treasurer 2
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Nicole Bell Secretary 2
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Lance Dorn Director 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Paula McCaleb Director 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Wanda Liz Diaz-Ortiz Director 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Deborah Bennett Director 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Shermann Thomas Director 2
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $2,462,835 $1,644,802 $3,263,088 $818,033
2024 $608,118 $780,351 $1,902,765 $-172,233
2023 $2,194,282 $246,251 $2,127,698 $1,948,031
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