Stories

Investing in Chicago’s future — building the capacity for lasting growth

October 8, 2026

Executive summary

As one of Chicago’s largest private employers with over 165 years of investing in the city, JPMorganChase brings together its resources—business, philanthropy, research, and data-driven policy solutions—to help power local economic growth for all. Through this work, one lesson remains clear: lasting impact depends on the strength of local institutions. By investing in the capacity of trusted organizations from nonprofits and community lenders to educational institutions and neighborhood partners, the firm supports the opportunity for sustained impact across Chicago.

The stories in this report demonstrate how capacity building and cross-sector collaboration are helping expand housing, strengthen small businesses, connect employers to talented individuals, improve financial health, and support vibrant neighborhoods across Chicago.

Key lessons learned

  1. Investing in trusted local institutions enables long-term economic growth.

    Strong communities depend on strong institutions. Building the capacity of trusted local organizations, including strengthening leadership, operations, financial resilience, and access to capital, creates the foundation for scalable economic growth.
  2. Tailored, localized strategies help communities thrive.

    With over 200 distinct neighborhoods across Chicago, effective solutions must be tailored to local needs—prioritizing neighborhood-level strategies, expanding access to capital, and strengthening the local institutions that help residents, small businesses, and neighborhoods thrive.
  3. Collaboration transforms investment into shared progress.

    By bringing together partners across sectors, investment can help unlock resources, strengthen local ecosystems, and create opportunities that extend far beyond any single organization or initiative.

Read the full brief here

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