Office of the Chicago City Treasurer

What Office of the Chicago City Treasurer does

The Office of the Chicago City Treasurer is an elected municipal government office led by Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin (elected 2019, the first African American woman to hold the role). The office serves as the custodian and manager of all cash and investments for the City of Chicago, four City employee pension funds, and the Chicago Teacher's Pension Fund, overseeing an $11.1 billion investment portfolio that generated $318.7 million in returns for Chicago taxpayers in fiscal year 2023 and approximately $14 billion in annual trading volume. It is operationally headed out of City Hall at 121 N LaSalle St, Room 106, Chicago. The office also runs a financial-empowerment platform (Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow / BWTT) that delivers free programs to Chicago residents — no commercial pricing applies.

Its core product surface is the BWTT umbrella, which integrates sub-products: HUD-certified HomeStretch homebuyer education (delivered with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago); the self-paced Money Matters Institute online financial-education hub; BWTT TV digital/web-series content; the Chicago Star Award for small-business recognition (97 businesses highlighted cumulatively); the Empowerment Scholarship for Chicago Public Schools college-bound students; and The Second Act: Second Chances financial education for returning citizens. Separately, the office manages the $50M Catalyst Fund (with up to $75M deployment capacity across Black-owned-business initiatives) as a social-impact vehicle, including the $50M COVID-19 deployment to the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund in 2020.

Technically, no proprietary AI/ML or platform architecture is disclosed; the office relies on standard municipal financial-management systems and third-party SaaS tools (Enrich.org for MMI, Streamyard and Microsoft Forms for events, YouTube for BWTT TV). GTM is primarily community-led, anchored on neighborhood partnerships, workshops, and an annual flagship summit (BWTT Financial Empowerment Summit), with secondary event-driven and earned-media amplification through outlets including Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Sun-Times, Essence, and ABC7. Revenue mechanics are non-commercial: the office generates investment returns on managed public funds rather than fees or sales, and executes more than 54% of trades through minority-owned firms under formal diversity requirements, with ESG alignment including the 2022 fossil-fuel divestment ordinance.

Name

Office of the Chicago City Treasurer

Legal name

Office of the Chicago City Treasurer

Website

https://chicagocitytreasurer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Office of the Chicago City Treasurer manages Chicago's $11.1 billion investment portfolio and delivers the free BWTT financial-empowerment platform — including HomeStretch homebuyer education, the Money Matters Institute, the Chicago Star Award, and the $50M Catalyst Fund — for city residents, first-time homebuyers, and small businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Financial Management and Financial Empowerment Services

NAICS

Pension Funds (52511), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds (5251)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Public Pension Funds (DB/DC Sponsors) (FSAAAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Impact & Inclusive Finance Funds (FSANAJAH), Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE), Green/Climate Development Banks & Funds (FSABAKAH)

Keywords

• Municipal financial management
• Financial empowerment programs
• Homebuyer education services
• Small business support
• Public investment management

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Taxpayer Fund Management: As a municipal office, the Office of the Chicago City Treasurer manages public funds belonging to the City of Chicago, four City employee pension funds, and the Chicago Teacher's Pension Fund. Revenue is generated through investment returns on these portfolios rather than direct sales or service fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Office of the Chicago City Treasurer manages the City of Chicago's $11.1 billion cash and investment portfolio (including four City employee pension funds and the Chicago Teacher's Pension Fund) and delivers free financial empowerment programming for Chicago residents, small businesses, first-time homebuyers, returning citizens, and CPS students through the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) platform. Its sub-programs include HUD-certified homebuyer education, online financial literacy courses, small business recognition awards, college scholarships, and the $50 million Catalyst Fund social impact investment vehicle.

Product overview

The Office of the Chicago City Treasurer operates a unified financial empowerment platform centered on the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) initiative. BWTT serves as the core umbrella program, integrating multiple sub-products including Money Matters Institute (self-paced online financial education), BWTT TV (digital video content), HomeStretch (homebuyer education with HUD-certified counseling), Chicago Star Award (small business recognition), Empowerment Scholarship (CPS student scholarships), and The Second Act: Second Chances (reentry financial education). The Catalyst Fund operates as a separate $50 million social impact investment vehicle. Together, these offerings provide a comprehensive ecosystem addressing financial literacy, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building for Chicago residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT): Year-round financial empowerment initiative designed to help Chicagoans access education, tools, resources, and community connections needed to build stronger financial futures
• BWTT TV
• Money Matters Institute (MMI)
• HomeStretch
• Chicago Stars Awards
• Catalyst Fund

Products and services

• Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) A year-round financial empowerment initiative from the Office of the Chicago City Treasurer designed to help Chicagoans access the education, tools, resources, and community connections needed to build stronger financial futures. BWTT connects residents to practical resources supporting wealth-building through virtual conversations, community sessions, homebuyer education, and small business recognition programs.
• Money Matters Institute (MMI) A self-paced online financial education hub for Chicago residents, small businesses, and first-time homeowners offering online curriculum and accessible learning tools covering personal finance, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and long-term wealth-building.
• BWTT TV The digital home for financial empowerment conversations produced by the Office of the Chicago City Treasurer, offering web series, YouTube playlists, special webinars, and on-demand programming featuring expert conversations and practical financial information.
• HomeStretch Homebuyer education and counseling program to help Chicago residents prepare for homeownership, including HUD-certified homebuyer education through Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, housing counseling, first-time homebuyer support, mortgage readiness, and down payment assistance information.
• Chicago Star Award A recognition and support program for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community-based business owners who are helping strengthen Chicago's economy, offering recognition, storytelling, public events, award opportunities, and business development resources.
• Catalyst Fund Chicago's $50 million social impact fund focused on transforming the economic landscape of underserved communities through equity and inclusivity, transparency, protection, and impact, with focus on small business growth and access to capital.
• Empowerment Scholarship Scholarship program for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students entering college, providing financial support and educational opportunities to support students' academic advancement.
• The Second Act: Second Chances A specialized financial education workshop for returning citizens, developed in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Re-Entry, offering critical financial tools to help returning citizens rebuild their lives and escape cycles of economic hardship.

Quantifiable outcome

• $318.7 million in investment returns generated for Chicago taxpayers in fiscal year 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ESSENCE VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Landmark partnership to advance financial empowerment and wealth-building opportunities for Chicago's diverse communities. ESSENCE joins as strategic partner for the BWTT Financial Empowerment Summit (Year 5), bringing national visibility and cultural influence to local economic empowerment efforts.
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small BusinessescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness education program providing business education, support services, and access to capital for growth-oriented small business owners in Chicago, delivered in partnership with the City Treasurer's Office.
• BMO Financial GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Weekend events, providing financial resources and tools to thousands of Chicagoans along with job opportunity connections.
• Morningstar IndexessupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Chicago-based global index provider to optimize future investment strategy and improve tracking of ESG-aligned investments.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHUD-certified homebuyer education program partner for HomeStretch workshop series, providing 4-hour education courses and certification for homeownership readiness.
• The HatcherysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChicago business incubator hosting Alternative Financing Options workshops connecting small business owners with non-bank financing organizations.
• Huntington BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking partner for Homeownership & Credit Building workshops, sharing home lending options and credit building guidance with Chicago residents.
• SomerCorsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNon-bank financing organization featured in Alternative Financing Options workshops for small business owners.
• Cook County Small Business SourcesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCounty resource partner featured in workshops providing small business financing options and business development support.
• Allies for Community BusinesssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity development financial institution providing alternative lending solutions for entrepreneurs featured in BWTT workshops.
• PursuitsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAlternative lending organization participating in small business financing workshops.
• Habilitative SystemssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for The Second Act: Second Chances program providing customized financial education for returning citizens in collaboration with Mayor's Office of Reentry.
• Chicago Sky FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's small business initiative partnership including pitch competitions and business development resources for women entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Calvert Impact Capital: A leading U.S. impact-investing nonprofit that deploys capital into mission-driven funds serving underserved communities. Closest established analog to the Catalyst Fund's $50M social impact mandate, with broader investor base.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): A large national CDFI deploying capital into housing, small business, and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable to the office's role catalyzing community investment and aligning public and private capital for underserved Chicago neighborhoods.

Direct peers

• Grameen America: Provides microloans, credit-building, and financial training to women entrepreneurs in low-income U.S. communities. Comparable to BWTT small business, credit, and re-entry financial empowerment programs targeting underserved populations.
• Self-Help Federal Credit Union / Self-Help Ventures Fund: A CDFI operating credit unions, loans, and small business lending in low-income communities — directly comparable to the Catalyst Fund's community-lending mission and the office's minority-broker trade mandate.
• Office of the New York City Comptroller: NYC's chief fiscal officer manages the city's pension funds (~$280B AUM) and conducts oversight, advocacy, and financial education initiatives. Most directly comparable city-level treasury/financial stewardship role with analogous ESG and fiscal-policy mandates.
• Office of the Illinois State Treasurer: State-level treasurer operating the state's 529 college savings programs, unclaimed property, and financial empowerment initiatives serving Illinois residents — overlapping geographic and programmatic scope with Chicago-based initiatives.
• Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer: Operates the Massachusetts Financial Literacy Trust Fund and runs comprehensive financial empowerment programming. Closest functional peer for a government office with a sustained, publicly funded financial education and wealth-building portfolio.
• Office of the Los Angeles City Controller: LA's Controller oversees city finances, payments, and economic reporting. Comparable municipal-finance oversight function for a major U.S. city and an analogous elected financial stewardship role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xyoutube.com/channel/UCDT226WSM0Ye5oCKrMlc46A
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDT226WSM0Ye5oCKrMlc46A
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChiTreasurer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/office-of-the-chicago-city-treasurer
• Instagraminstagram.com/chicagotreasurer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Office of the Chicago City Treasurer