Quad Communities Development Corporation works within a defined footprint of North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas, and Grand Boulevard, wards 3 and 4 on Chicago's south lakefront. Formed in May 2003 as a community-based non-profit, QCDC operates with a mission to build a mixed-income, sustainable neighborhood rather than serve a broad commercial client base. It partners with private sector corporations and other not-for-profit collaborators to carry out that mission.
Programming spans four areas: business development services, arts culture and recreation, engagement and community partnerships, and developer assistance and advisory services. On the business side, this translates into consultations and direct assistance for local business owners, delivered through virtual, digital, and in-person formats. The developer advisory work pairs with property management and lead generation functions aimed at filling commercial space with tenants.
QCDC reports having touched over 1,000 business owners through its programming and consultations. It has assisted with access to capital collectively valued at more than $2.2 million, in individual amounts ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. On the property side, QCDC has secured commercial and retail tenants for nearly 15,000 square feet of space, generating over $200,000 in rental income for property owners. As a registered 501(c)(3), it channels these services back into the four neighborhoods it serves.