Uptown United

Uptown United is Uptown’s community economic development organization serving the entire Uptown community, from Irving Park Road on the south to Foster Avenue on the north, Lake Michigan on the east and Ravenswood Avenue on the west. Uptown United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization lead by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our mission is to build a strong, unified business environment; facilitate economic development; and strengthen community—all to nurture a diverse, vibrant, thriving, and strong Uptown. We achieve our mission through marketing, advocacy, and technical assistance; facilitating economic development through smart urban planning, arts development, and business attraction; and strengthen community through capacity building and placemaking efforts. In order to work most effectively, we are structured as an umbrella organization with three partner groups: the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, a separate 501(c)(6) membership organization with its own governance; Development Partners—developers, residents, real estate experts, urban planners, and property owners working to address development and infrastructure issues in the community by initiating planning projects and guiding private and public development, and Community Partners–that works to support Uptown’s many nonprofit organizations and service providers through professional development, advocacy, and networking activities. Uptown United also serves as the sole service provider for Uptown Special Service Area #34, a special taxing body that focuses on commercial and mixed-use corridor improvements and marketing efforts throughout the district.