South East Chicago Commission (SECC)
The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization providing small business assistance, micro-grants, civic convening events, and the Hyde Park Farmers Market to businesses and residents of Chicago's Southeast lakefront communities (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, Woodlawn).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What South East Chicago Commission (SECC) does
The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization serving five Southeast Chicago lakefront communities — Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn — and operating with a 70+ year institutional history currently in its sixth executive directorship. SECC functions as a delegate agency of the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection via its Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) designation, and additionally manages Special Service Area #61 (Downtown Hyde Park Chicago). Its core service lines include small business consultation and technical assistance, micro-grant administration through the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program (up to $5,000 per organization, with more than $1.5M distributed to 200+ projects since 1999), the seasonal Hyde Park Farmers Market, the Arts & Culture Capital Lab for creative entrepreneurs, and civic convening events including the annual Southside Connection Symposium (300+ attendees) and the 17th Annual Woodlawn Community Summit (450+ attendees).
SECC's programmatic portfolio is delivered through a small professional staff led by Executive Director Diane Burnham (appointed December 2017) and supported by a Board of Directors and community volunteers. The organization operates no proprietary technology; its infrastructure relies on standard non-profit tooling including PayPal (donations), Eventbrite (event registration), Constant Contact (email newsletter), and SNAP/Link Up Illinois integrations at the farmers market for food access.
Revenue is sourced from a diversified mix of foundation grants (MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Community Loan Fund, Compeer Financial), government funding (Cook County, City of Chicago), corporate sponsorships (Allstate as presenting Symposium sponsor, Comcast NBC Universal, CIBC, Hyde Park Bank, University of Chicago Medicine), event ticket revenue (e.g., $75 Night at the Theatre tickets), and individual donations. Strategic partners include the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement, the Obama Foundation (tied to the 2026 Obama Presidential Center opening in Woodlawn), Choose Chicago, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, and Court Theatre, among others.
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- South East Chicago Commission (SECC)
- Legal name
- South East Chicago Commission
- Website
- https://secc-chicago.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization providing small business assistance, micro-grants, civic convening events, and the Hyde Park Farmers Market to businesses and residents of Chicago's Southeast lakefront communities (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, Woodlawn).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Government Grants: SECC receives funding from foundations (MacArthur Foundation, McArthur Baker Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, etc.) and government sources (Cook County, City of Chicago) to support economic development programs.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations through PayPal and other channels to support community programs. SECC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Event Revenue: SECC generates revenue through event ticket sales, such as the Night at the Theatre fundraiser ($75 per person for reception and theatre, $25 for reception only) and symposium registrations.
- Sponsorship Partnerships: Corporate sponsors support SECC events and programs, including Allstate as presenting sponsor for the Symposium, along with Comcast NBC Universal, CIBC, Chicago Community Loan Fund, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Night at the Theatre - Full Event |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Night at the Theatre - Reception Only |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Women in Business Power Hour Lunch |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Panel on Emerging Redevelopment Hotspots |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program Grants |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SECC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization that facilitates and supports economic development across five Chicago Southeast lakefront communities (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn). Its core offerings include operating as a delegate Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) for the City of Chicago, managing Special Service Area #61 (Downtown Hyde Park), administering the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification micro-grant program (up to $5,000), running the Hyde Park Farmers Market, and convening annual civic and economic development events such as the Southside Connection Symposium and Woodlawn Community Summit.
Product overview
SECC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that facilitates and supports economic development within Southeast Chicago lakefront communities (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn). The organization operates as a unified platform offering multiple interconnected programs: as an NBDC delegate agency it provides small business development services; through SSA #61 it manages the Downtown Hyde Park business district; it operates the Hyde Park Farmers Market and Arts & Culture Capital Lab; it administers the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification micro-grant program; and it convenes major civic events including the annual Southside Connection Symposium and Woodlawn Community Summit. All programs work together to advance community investment, job creation, and economic vitality.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) Services
- Special Service Area #61 (SSA #61) - Downtown Hyde Park
- Hyde Park Farmers Market
- Arts & Culture Capital Lab (ACCL)
- Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program
- Southside Connection Symposium
- Woodlawn Community Summit
- Small Business Connection Series
- SmallBiz Shop Local
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $1 million in beautification grants distributed since 1999, funding more than 200 community projects
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use South East Chicago Commission (SECC)
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Chicago Office of Civic EngagementcoreLong-standing strategic partner since the first Woodlawn Summit in 2009. The University provides resources and venue support for SECC programs including the Woodlawn Community Summit. Partnership includes collaboration on community development, civic engagement, and economic vitality initiatives.
- Hyde Park BankcoreKey partner for the Hyde Park Farmers Market, providing sponsorship support. Also participates in SECC events and programs, with representatives on panels and providing business development resources.
- Special Service Area #61 (SSA #61)coreSECC partners with SSA #61 (Downtown Hyde Park Chicago) to co-produce the Hyde Park Farmers Market, arts and culture programs, and neighborhood beautification initiatives.
- AllstatecorePresenting sponsor for the annual Southside Connection Symposium. Provides financial support for SECC's flagship economic development event.
- Choose ChicagominorTourism partner collaborating on symposium panels and promoting South Side economic development opportunities.
- CIBC BankminorSymposium sponsor supporting economic development programming.
- Self-Help Federal Credit UnionminorFinancial partner providing business resources including the Business Boost Loan Program and Small Business Loans for SECC-connected entrepreneurs.
- Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and InnovationminorUniversity of Chicago program partner providing Tech Enablement Workshop Series, Market Navigator Program, and SBDC services to SECC network.
- Obama FoundationminorPartner for economic development opportunities related to the Obama Presidential Center opening in Woodlawn in 2026.
- Comcast NBC UniversalminorSymposium sponsor supporting SECC events and programming.
- Court TheatreminorPartner venue for A Night at the Theatre annual fundraiser, hosting SECC community events and theatrical performances.
- University of Chicago MedicineminorCorporate sponsor for Hyde Park Farmers Market and community health initiatives.
- Jackson Park ConservancyminorPartner for economic development and preservation initiatives related to South Side development.
- Emerald South Economic Development CollaborativeminorPartner for economic development initiatives on Chicago's South Side.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO): Community organization serving the Kenwood and Oakland neighborhoods within SECC's own service footprint, focused on community development, civic engagement, and quality-of-life programming.
- Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC): Chicago CDC serving the southwest side with similar SSA management, small business support, and community development programming. Operates at a comparable scale with the same nonprofit economic development model.
- Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative: Chicago South Side economic development organization explicitly listed as a SECC partner, focused on South Side economic development initiatives with comparable programmatic approach.
- Washington Park Consortium: Community development organization serving Washington Park, one of the five neighborhoods in SECC's direct service area, with overlapping programmatic focus on quality-of-life and economic development.
- Quad Communities Development Corporation (QUAD CDC): Chicago South Side community development corporation serving Bronzeville, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, and Hyde Park neighborhoods. Operates with a similar multi-program economic development model and overlapping geography with SECC.
- Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation: Chicago CDC serving South Side neighborhoods through business district management, workforce development, and community programs, with comparable structure and mission to SECC.
- Austin Coming Together: Chicago West Side community development collaborative coordinating economic development, workforce, and quality-of-life initiatives across multiple partner organizations, structurally similar to SECC's convening model.
Broad incumbents
- Chicago Urban League: Major Chicago-based economic and civil rights organization focused on economic opportunity, workforce development, and community empowerment for disinvested neighborhoods. Operates at larger scale but with overlapping mission and target population.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago: Major national community development financial institution with deep Chicago presence. Funds and supports many CDCs and community organizations across the city, operating at significantly larger scale than SECC but in the same economic development space.
Regional players
- Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT): Chicago-based national organization working on equitable economic development and sustainable urban communities. While more research-and-policy focused than SECC, both share a mission of advancing prosperity in disinvested Chicago neighborhoods.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) social profiles
Digital presenceSouth East Chicago Commission (SECC) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about South East Chicago Commission (SECC)
What does South East Chicago Commission (SECC) do?
SECC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization that facilitates and supports economic development across five Chicago Southeast lakefront communities (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn). Its core offerings include operating as a delegate Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) for the City of Chicago, managing Special Service Area #61 (Downtown Hyde Park), administering the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification micro-grant program (up to $5,000), running the Hyde Park Farmers Market, and convening annual civic and economic development events such as the Southside Connection Symposium and Woodlawn Community Summit.
Is South East Chicago Commission (SECC) a public or private company?
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was South East Chicago Commission (SECC) founded?
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is South East Chicago Commission (SECC) based?
South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does South East Chicago Commission (SECC) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations, event Revenue and sponsorship Partnerships.
Who are South East Chicago Commission (SECC)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC), Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, Washington Park Consortium, Quad Communities Development Corporation (QUAD CDC), Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation and Austin Coming Together. Broad incumbents are Chicago Urban League and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago. Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is listed as a regional player.
Does South East Chicago Commission (SECC) have an API?
No public API is recorded for South East Chicago Commission (SECC).