Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a national nonprofit headquartered in New York, NY that connects local groups with capital and technical assistance to build resilient, inclusive communities. The site documents LISC program areas (housing, small business, health, economic development, etc.), lending and grant activities, annual reports, and news.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Local community-development organizations, neighborhood nonprofits, community development corporations, and similar groups (including university/community foundations) seeking funding for affordable housing, economic development, small business support, health or capacity-building projects.
Good Fit
- • Work focused on affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, small-business or economic development.
- • Local presence or a clear partnership with neighborhood organizations or community development corporations.
- • Capacity to manage grants and report program outcomes.
- • Requests for capital projects, program scaling, or technical assistance tied to community impact.
- • Geographic alignment with one of LISC’s active regions or cities.
Geography
Observed grants span almost the entire country with recipients in 47 states in the latest year and out-of-state giving dominating (about 94% of dollars went outside the foundation state).
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a very broad recipient set (1,119 distinct recipients in 2024) with many types of organizations funded and low dollar concentration (top one and top five shares are about 5% and 12%).
New Applicants
Behavioral evidence shows substantial turnover and entry (715 new recipients in 2024, about 64% of that year’s recipients), which strongly suggests unfamiliar applicants can and do enter the portfolio despite the absence of formal application instructions.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
