What Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation does

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation headquartered at 839 W. 79th Street in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood, operating since 2003 under CEO Carlos Nelson. The organization delivers services across five pillars — Education & Youth Development, Economic Development, Housing & Senior Services, Health & Wellness, and Community Engagement — serving low-to-moderate-income residents, youth, seniors, and small businesses on Chicago's South Side and South Suburban areas. Its core operational platform is the four-story Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub, which co-locates a UI Health clinic, Bank of America branch, Big Brothers Big Sisters, UIC Neighborhood Center, and a teaching kitchen serving over 30,000 patients annually.

GAGDC's business model is a hybrid community-development stack: tax-funded service area management (SSA #69 since 2015 and SSA #81 since 2025), foundation and corporate grants (Pritzker Traubert Foundation $10M Chicago Prize, JPMorgan Chase $14.5M NMTC allocation, Chicago Bears $611K), the Excellerator Fund joint-venture grantmaking program with Latinos Progresando ($4M raised of a $10M five-year goal), tenant rents and facility rentals at the Hub, individual/corporate donations, and a social-enterprise landscaping unit (Urban Green Team). Go-to-market is community-led — direct resident engagement, volunteer programs, school-based service delivery across multiple South Side schools, partnerships with City of Chicago departments, and convening roles via the AG Neighborhood Network and My Chi My Future Youth Network.

The organization is governed by a community Board of Directors and operates as a "community quarterback," coordinating across 86 grantee organizations through the Excellerator Fund and across coalitions such as the Reclaiming Chicago initiative. Notable capital and program milestones include the 2020 Chicago Prize win, the 2022 Hub opening, the 2021 Excellerator Fund launch, and the 2025 expansion of SSA management into the 83rd Street corridor. Technology footprint is minimal — no proprietary software, AI, or API surface — with operations supported by a standard web presence and community-program tooling.

Name

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation

Legal name

Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation

Website

https://gagdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) is a Chicago nonprofit community development corporation operating the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub, two Special Service Areas, the Excellerator Fund, and youth, housing, and health programs serving South Side residents, seniors, youth, and small businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Affordable housing programs
• Youth education initiatives
• Community health programs
• Special service area management

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Excellerator Fund: Community-driven grantmaking initiative that has raised $4 million toward a $10 million goal over 5 years, distributing grants to Black and Mexican-led organizations
2. Healthy Lifestyle Hub Operations: Multi-tenant facility generating revenue through tenant partnerships including UI Health, Bank of America, and other service providers; includes community room rentals at nominal fees
3. Special Service Area Management: Manages SSA #69 and SSA #81, providing services funded through property tax assessments in designated business districts for beautification, security, and economic development
4. Facility Rentals: Community Rooms and Teaching Kitchen available for use by businesses and non-profit organizations at nominal fees
5. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations supporting mission to revitalize low-to-moderate income communities

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) is a nonprofit community development corporation that revitalizes Chicago's Auburn Gresham and South Side neighborhoods through five integrated pillars: Education & Youth Development, Economic Development, Housing & Senior Services, Health & Wellness, and Community Engagement. The organization operates the Healthy Lifestyle Hub, manages Special Service Areas #69 and #81, runs the Excellerator Fund grantmaking initiative, and delivers youth, senior, housing, and health programs to underserved residents.

Product overview

Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation operates as a community development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and facilities rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Healthy Lifestyle Hub (multi-service wellness center), community events (79th Street Renaissance Festival, Health Fair on the Block, Breakfast & Blues for Seniors), youth development programs (AG Gold Schools, Summer Camp, My CHI My Future), housing and senior services (Family Housing Stability Program, Sizzling Senior Series), business district management through SSA #69 and SSA #81, the Excellerator Fund grantmaking initiative, health equity programs (HCEZ, CHRC), the Urban Green Team social enterprise, Neighborhood Business Development Center, and facility rentals. These programs collectively serve as a 'one-stop shop' for community engagement needs across Chicago's South Side.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Healthy Lifestyle Hub: A four-story wellness center featuring UI Health Clinic, Bank of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois, UIC Neighborhood Center, Chicago Bears Community Room, teaching kitchen, and cafe at 839 W. 79th Street.
• Excellerator Fund
• SSA #69
• SSA #81
• 79th Street Renaissance Festival

Products and services

• Healthy Lifestyle Hub Four-story wellness center housing UI Health Clinic, Bank of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, UIC Neighborhood Center, teaching kitchen, and community spaces serving over 30,000 patients annually in Auburn Gresham.
• 79th Street Renaissance Festival Annual neighborhood festival on Chicago's South Side celebrating community culture, featuring local food vendors, retailers, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. The 2026 rendition marks its 21st anniversary.
• Excellerator Fund Five-year community-driven grantmaking initiative promoting equitable social and economic recovery in Chicago's Black and Mexican communities, with a goal to raise $10 million and invest in 86+ organizations.
• Special Service Area #69 (SSA #69) Business district management for Ashland Ave from 80th-95th St., providing economic viability, beautification, streetscape maintenance, security, and facade enhancement programs.
• Special Service Area #81 (SSA #81) Business district management from 83rd & Vincennes to 83rd & Lafayette, south to 91st St., promoting new development, local business expansion, and community events.
• AG Gold Schools & Summer Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• Healthy Lifestyle Hub to serve over 30,000 patients annually through UI Health
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Chicago BearscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2021Chicago Bears invested $611,000 in the Healthy Lifestyle Hub, including sponsorship of the Chicago Bears Community Room and Teaching Kitchen for diabetes prevention and healthy meal preparation programming.
• UI Health Mile Square Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUI Health occupies entire second floor and portion of third floor of Healthy Lifestyle Hub providing medical, dental, and mental health services to over 30,000 patients annually.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank of America is housed within the Healthy Lifestyle Hub bringing banking services back to the Auburn Gresham community.
• UIC Neighborhood CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Illinois Chicago operates a Neighborhood Center within the Healthy Lifestyle Hub providing community educational services and engagement.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth mentoring organization tenant in the Healthy Lifestyle Hub providing mentorship services to youth in the Auburn Gresham community.
• Latinos ProgresandocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in the Excellerator Fund, a $10 million, 5-year community-driven grantmaking initiative supporting Black and Mexican-led organizations across Chicago.
• City of Chicago Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAGDC appointed as Near South Regional Lead for Healthy Chicago Equity Zone (HCEZ) and leads Community Health Response Corps (CHRC) initiative dedicated to reducing the life expectancy gap.
• American Cancer SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAGDC serves as health equity ambassador educating community and encouraging screenings for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.
• Chronic Condition Equity Network (C3EN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Rush University and University of Chicago to close the life expectancy gap through research initiatives.
• Illinois State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCUE community partner; university collaboration for community development initiatives.
• United Way Metro ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports GAGDC's role as Community Quarterback for Auburn Gresham Neighborhood Network.
• United Power for Action and JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition convener bringing together community organizations and developers including GAGDC for the Reclaiming Chicago initiative.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for housing development and neighborhood stabilization programs.
• Cook County Land Bank AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for property acquisition and restoration to reduce vacancies and transform blocks.
• Illinois TollwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining Black and Brown community members for jobs at the Healthy Lifestyle Hub.
• Urban Green TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAGDC's social enterprise providing debris removal, landscaping, and greening services across 30+ blocks. Creates job opportunities for area residents including second-chance workforce participants.
• Fifth Third BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Summer Food Vendor Certification Classes at 8140 South Ashland Avenue location.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit investing in affordable housing and community development across the U.S. Operates at a much larger scale than GAGDC but with overlapping mission and funding sources, including NMTC and community development financing.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National nonprofit CDFI that finances and supports CDCs including affordable housing, economic development, and community resilience work. Broader incumbent in the same community development space, with overlapping programs and funding relationships.

Direct peers

• The Resurrection Project: Chicago-based community development nonprofit serving Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods with housing, immigration, and economic development programs. Directly comparable to GAGDC as a place-based CDC operating in an underserved Chicago neighborhood with mixed housing, education, and economic development programming.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit focused on homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and neighborhood revitalization. Already a GAGDC partner, but independently functions as a directly comparable housing and community development organization in Chicago.
• Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation: Chicago CDC focused on affordable housing, community building, and economic development on the West and Northwest Sides. Comparable to GAGDC in real estate development focus, community organizing approach, and nonprofit CDC structure.
• Greater Southwest Development Corporation: Chicago CDC operating in the Southwest Side with housing, economic development, and community programs analogous to GAGDC's five-pillar model. Direct peer in scale, geography, and community development approach.
• North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council: Chicago CDC in North Lawndale that was part of the same Reclaiming Chicago coalition that won the $10M Chicago Prize with GAGDC. Direct peer in scope (community development, coalition building) and partnership overlap.
• Centers for New Horizons: Chicago South Side community development organization providing early childhood education, youth development, workforce training, and senior services. Highly comparable to GAGDC's integrated family/community services model in similar Chicago geography.

Emerging players

• Cabrini Green Legal Aid: Chicago legal aid and community development organization serving low-income residents. Partial overlap with GAGDC's housing stability and community services mission, though more narrowly focused on legal advocacy.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Chicago-area hunger relief and food access nonprofit that intersects with GAGDC's Healthy Lifestyle Hub programming (teaching kitchen, food distribution) and shares a similar funder/partner base of major Chicago institutions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GADC_Chicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/gagdcchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-auburn-grehsam-development-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation