Our Impact
Strengthening Chicago communities, one interest-free loan at a time.
Since 2022, Jewish Free Loan Chicago has provided more than $525,000 in zero-interest loans, helping families and individuals cover unexpected hardships, pursue opportunity, and afford life’s essentials. Collectively, our borrowers have saved more than $100,000 in interest that would have otherwise gone to high-cost lenders. Every dollar not lost to interest has the potential to stay in the economy and support our local communities.
$525k
125+
95%
families and individuals supported
distributed to Chicago residents
loan repayment rate
Each time a loan is repaid, we fund another interest-free loan–-helping even more people recover from financial hardship and move forward.
Stabilizing families for resilient futures
A car breaks down and someone can't get to work. The heater dies in winter. A child needs an emergency dental procedure. Nearly 40% of adults nationwide would struggle to cover a $400 emergency expense. For families living paycheck to paycheck, an unexpected expense can upend their stability. Some may choose to forego basic necessities to cover the costs, others turn to payday or high-interest loans that trap people in cycles of debt.
A single small, interest-free loan empowers people to recover from unexpected expenses and reinvest in themselves and their communities.
About our interest-free loans
$5,100
$750 - $6,000
24 months*
Payback Period
*Typical loan payback period is 24 months or less.
Funding Range
Average Amount
Our zero-interest loans have helped people like:
Robert avoid homelessness by covering housing expenses while recovering from medically-necessary surgery.
Amanda, a single mother, repair the car she uses to get to her three jobs in the suburbs.
Nathan, a recent medical school graduate, cover professional licensing fees and bridge the gap between graduation and his first paycheck.
“If you lend money to My people, even to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; you shall not charge them interest.”