At Woodstock Institute, our mission is to advance economic justice and racial equity within financial systems through research and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. Woodstock Institute envisions a society where all people experience economic security and prosperity.
Woodstock Institute is a recognized economic justice leader and bridge-builder between communities and policymakers. We work with community and philanthropic groups, financial institutions, and policymakers to promote effective policies, improve access to credit, and help people use our work to safely borrow, save, and achieve economic security and community prosperity.
APR For All! The Small Business Financing Transparency Act (HB744 HA #1) would require non-bank lenders to disclose APRs to small business borrowers. With transparency, entrepreneurs can make informed decisions, protect their employees and keep wealth in our communities. Learn more
Woodstock Institute was a leader in the passage of the landmark 1977 Community Reinvestment Act and the 2021 Illinois Community Reinvestment Act. We continue to play an active role to ensure the benefit of these laws are fully realized by communities left behind by decades of systemic disinvestment. Learn more
Woodstock Institute and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) brought together representatives of various types of mortgage lenders—credit unions, banks, and mortgage companies—for honest conversations about the systemic barriers to homeownership for people of color and how we can address them. Learn more
Access in-depth data from the community up to the regional level on mortgage lending, community demographics, foreclosure trends, changes in the income of local homebuyers, business lending, and the activity of top lenders across Illinois.
We are grateful for the support of our allied community organizations and grassroots leaders, donors, staff and board, without whom none of our efforts would be possible. Join us in the work of economic justice and racial equity by joining our Advocacy Network considering financial support.
