Beginning today, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) members may submit nominations for the 2022 Community First Awards. These awards recognize members and their local partners for their work in building and strengthening communities.

The 2022 Community First Award categories are:

Affordable Housing
Recognizes an exceptional effort to increase or strengthen affordable housing opportunities in Illinois and/or Wisconsin communities.

Economic Development
Recognizes an extraordinary effort to foster economic growth or community revitalization in Illinois and/or Wisconsin communities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Recognizes an organization or coalition dedicated to advancing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the affordable housing and/or economic development space in Illinois and/or Wisconsin.

Emerging Leader
Recognizes an outstanding emerging leader relatively new to the affordable housing and/or economic development field (defined as fifteen or fewer years).

Members must submit the nomination form to ci@fhlbc.com by Friday, January 14. Awardees will be featured in a video at FHLBank Chicago’s member meetings in March and receive $10,000 to direct to one nonprofit of their choosing.

If you have questions, please email ci@fhlbc.com.