Local Initiatives Support Corporation

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a non-profit community development financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods and building sustainable communities across the United States. Established in 1979 by executives from the Ford Foundation, LISC operates in nearly 40 cities and works across 2,100 rural counties in 44 states. Its mission is to transform distressed communities into healthy and sustainable places to live, work, and raise families by providing capital, technical expertise, training, and information to community-based organizations.

LISC's investment strategy focuses on comprehensive community development, encompassing affordable housing, economic development, education, health, public safety, and employment. The organization offers a range of financial products, including grants, loans, and equity investments, to support projects such as the construction and preservation of affordable housing, development of community facilities, and support for small businesses. In the 2020 fiscal year, LISC reported grants, loans, and investments totaling $2 billion, leveraging $4.4 billion in total development and supporting over 700 partners across America. Since its inception, LISC has invested $24 billion into communities, leveraging $69 billion to support the creation of 436,000 affordable homes and apartments and 74.4 million square feet of retail and community facilities.

LISC's approach emphasizes collaboration with local leaders and organizations to address the unique challenges and opportunities within each community. By combining corporate, government, and philanthropic resources, LISC aims to foster economic growth and stability in underinvested areas. The organization also focuses on impact investing, attracting private investors to community development projects, and has been a pioneer in utilizing financial instruments like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to finance affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Through its comprehensive and collaborative approach, LISC continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening communities and promoting equitable development across the nation.