Financing Programs

Putting capital where it's needed most

What do you call an organization that invests money in community groups working to revitalize disinvested neighborhoods? A Community Development Financial Institution, or CDFI. LISC’s purpose as a non-profit CDFI is to provide capital to projects in low-income, disadvantaged and underserved communities at affordable rates.

We offer this capital to local nonprofit developers, small businesses and other service providers who may not be able to get credit in the conventional marketplace. And we, in turn, receive investment capital from a range of sources that include all levels of government, foundations, banks, and individuals. There are nearly 1,000 CDFIs in the country and we are one of the largest. We are profitable, but we are not profit-maximizing. We put community first.

How we use our funds

We use our funds to provide loans, equity, and grants to local organizations leading projects and programs that help their communities. Our loanshave financed affordable housing, supermarkets, schools, health centers and other vital community projects. We've invested our equity in housing, retail and commercial centers and theaters. And our grantshave funded safety programs, opened recreation fields, and helped our local partners keep the lights on and get better at what they do.