When Blocks Together needed a way to address unmet legal aid needs, In & By Design led a community-focused research initiative. We uncovered a gap in expungement and sealing services and developed Illinois’ first participatory defense hub focused on clemency. Our research led to an innovative program that secured $150,000 in Community Organizing grant funding. Our research not only shaped a new pathway for addressing recidivism but also expanded the community’s access to justice. As Executive Director Carolina Gaete shared:

“[In & By Design’s] research discovered that, outside of exoneration projects and costly private attorneys, no Chicago-based organizations provided free executive clemency legal services, or even extended assistance to support community members advocating for their own clemency.”

In & By Design was engaged by Lawndale Pop-up Spot to design and deliver a temporary museum exhibit that would attract visitors, drive engagement, and highlight the gemstone's resonance with narratives of strength and perseverance. Our team developed the concept Pressure Makes Diamonds, aligning the science behind diamond production with human resilience and culture.

We managed the full project lifecycle—from initial concept development through spatial planning, design execution, and on-site installation. The exhibit was hosted in a repurposed shipping container adapted into a functional exhibition space. Over the four-week program, visitors experienced interactive features including a diamond-digging station, an underground mine art installation, and a curated jewelry store display.

The Result: a compelling visitor experience that successfully combined education, neighborhood storytelling, and immersive design, strengthening Lawndale Pop-up Spot’s visibility and impact.

When the founders of Neighbors In Care Of sought to establish a dedicated community resource, In & By Design stepped in as the formal corporate promoter to shepherd the concept through its critical pre-incorporation phase. We translated an early-stage vision into a market-ready nonprofit organization structured for compliant, long-term operational viability.

Our team originated the comprehensive business concept and authored the foundational strategic vision that defined the organization's mission. Operating within the complex legal window preceding formal formation, our professionals drafted and executed binding pre-incorporation agreements to solidify early stakeholder commitments.

To build a resilient financial baseline, we engineered a strategic capitalization mix—securing initial funding through structured member contributions, debt financing, and public support. We then negotiated and structured core agreements with primary vendors, suppliers, and municipal stakeholders to insulate the entity from early operational vulnerabilities.

With the organizational architecture secure, we designed and deployed a targeted pre-launch promotion and outreach campaign. This strategic positioning successfully generated community-wide engagement, recruited an inaugural board of directors, and locked in vital initial service contracts.

The Result: A highly capitalized, legally protected corporate launch that hit the ground running—positioning Neighbors In Care Of to seamlessly transition into operational governance and secure sustainable community impact.