Marquette Bank Supports Southwest Organizing Project Through FHLBank Chicago Community First® Developer Program Grant
Release date: 3/11/2026
CHICAGO (March 11, 2026) – Marquette Bank, a locally owned neighborhood bank, announced the disbursement of grant funding of $233,352 to the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's (FHLBank Chicago) Community First® Developer Program. As a member institution of FHLBank Chicago, Marquette Bank facilitated the funding to support SWOP's Reclaiming Southwest Chicago Campaign, a neighborhood-driven initiative transforming vacant properties into quality, affordable homes for working families.
The funding will enable SWOP to develop emerging leaders in affordable housing development while advancing neighborhood revitalization projects. Through its work, SWOP has created pathways to homeownership, preserved affordability, and strengthened neighborhood investment through collaboration with residents and partners.
"This grant demonstrates the power of partnership between financial institutions, neighborhood organizations, and residents," said Manny Jimenez, First Vice President & Director of Community Reinvestment Act. "By facilitating this grant, we empower the next generation of community developers who understand the needs of the Southwest side."
Supporting Career Development and Neighborhood Leadership
SWOP will use the funding to continue fellowships for Blanca Casillas and Dantay Williams. The grant will expand their capacity to undertake neighborhood development projects and strengthen their affordable housing development skills. Both fellows will take leading roles in implementing the Reclaiming Southwest Chicago Campaign over the coming year.
The Community First® Developer Program awarded $12 million since its inception four years ago at the recommendation of FHLBank Chicago's Community Investment Advisory Council. Grants support internships, fellowships, and career pathways in affordable housing development across Illinois and Wisconsin.
Representatives from Southwest Organizing Project accepting the funding from Community First® Developer Program
(shown left to right):Denise Kenny, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Chris Brown, Southwest Organizing Project
Jen Schfer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Blanca Casillas, Southwest Organizing Project
Dantay Williams, Southwest Organizing Project
Manny Jimenez, Marquette Bank
Alan Kwasneski, Marquette Bank
About Marquette Bank:
Marquette Bank is one of Chicagoland's largest independent neighborhood banks, serving the region since 1945. The bank offers consumer and business banking, home financing, commercial lending, trust services, student loans, investment, insurance, and wealth management services.
A subsidiary of Marquette National Corporation (OTCQX: MNAT), the bank holds $2 billion in assets with a $1 billion local lending portfolio. Marquette Bank has earned twelve consecutive "Outstanding" Community Reinvestment Act ratings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, plus recognition including two Excellence and Innovation Awards (Community Bankers Association of Illinois), the Community Commitment Award for Volunteerism (American Bankers Association Foundation), and the Torch Award for Ethics (Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois).
Locations: Chicago, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Summit, and Tinley Park, Illinois.
Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #462926.
Visit: emarquettebank.com
Call: 1-888-254-9500