Impact

History & Accomplishments

LISC was founded nationally in 1979 with the support of the Ford Foundation to develop local leadership and build strong community-based development organization. It began opening local offices across the country in the early 1980s. Today, LISC is one of America’s largest community development support organization.

LISC Houston launched in 1989 with the support of the United Way of Greater Houston, Private Sector Initiatives (now Rebuilding Together Houston) and several other corporate partners. Local philanthropy and community leaders were eager to see a solutions-oriented approach to community revitalization. Houston was ready to begin supporting community led development and turned to LISC for assistance to build local capacity.

LISC has invested

$592 million

since 1989

Leveraging

$1.5 billion

in Houston communities

Resulting in

more than 11,000

affordable homes

In 2007, LISC Houston expanded its original cornerstone strategy from investing in affordable homes and real estate to a robust, comprehensive model of community development. Through this approach, LISC launched two new programs in 2009 — Great Opportunities (GO) Neighborhoods and Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) Network.