Community Lending Data Capacity Workshop

Transform community lending data into community narratives:

• Identify lending disparities
• Hold financial institutions accountable
• Drive investments where they are most needed.

No technical or data experience required.

A well-told story can make all the difference for a community fighting for systemic change and help breathe life into data in ways that will make people pay attention. Woodstock Institute’s Community Lending Data Portal provides access to powerful data that can help nonprofits and communities in Illinois craft impactful small business and mortgage lending data stories and make a real difference in their communities.  

Updated annually with newly released Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and Community Reinvestment Act data, this powerful tool provides in-depth, actionable insights into the financial health of communities. For the first time since starting our portal, we’re inviting community leaders and non-profit professionals to a groundbreaking half-day workshop to learn how to make the most of this tool!  

Our Community Lending Data Capacity Workshop presents an opportunity for community organizations and stakeholders to learn about lending trends within their communities and provide easy-to-use home mortgage and small business lending data. This workshop will provide participants with a community lending data story that can support organizational programming, advocacy, economic development, lending opportunities, and more. Storytelling is the backbone of good advocacy, and compelling stories often come from compelling data sets. These stories can inform community investment decisions, identify gaps in lending, and detail mortgage and small business lending patterns in their communities. Participants will learn how to utilize information found on the data portal to tell a lending story about their community and address equitable lending.  

Empower your organization to harness data’s full potential and transform our community lending data into community narratives that spark transformative change. Our Community Lending Data Capacity Workshop doesn’t just teach skills—it equips leaders with the tools to bridge gaps in access to capital, shape equitable policies, and create thriving neighborhoods. By unlocking the stories hidden in mortgage and small business lending trends, you’ll gain the power to advocate for systemic change, hold institutions accountable, and drive investments where they matter most.