Funders make realizing our mission possible. At our recent Rural Seminar in Little Rock, Arkansas, we asked our funders why they support Rural LISC. Hear what our friends from USDA Rural Development, Mastercard Strive, U.S. Bank and Walton Family Foundation had to say.

Beth Marcus, who died on Dec 1, was a 16-year veteran of LISC who led the organization’s fundraising to unprecedented levels of success, with an unwavering eye to forging maximum impact for underserved communities. In a tribute to her life and legacy, LISCers past and present reflect on Marcus’s extraordinary vision, effectiveness and heart.

A recently introduced bipartisan bill would establish a program to enable business district organizations to better support small business owners and build thriving communities in small towns and neighborhoods – particularly those that face barriers to participating in existing Economic Development Administration (EDA) programs. LISC's Lauren Rosenbaum, senior policy officer, and Kelly Humrichouser, director of government relations for Main Street America, describe the impact the program could have on downtowns across the country.

The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) is designed to get much-needed capital directly into the hands of small business owners serving communities of color, and works through over 20 CDFI partners in local markets across the country, with LISC as national manager. The team at Pacific Community Ventures (PCV), a nonprofit impact investor and community development financial institution (CDFI), shares how they created a loan product to support small businesses in the green sector.

This holiday season, support LISC small business borrowers and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! All of the businesses featured here have received LISC capital to acquire their location, hire new staff, or increase inventory to help their business grow.

Home-based child care providers are a lifeline for working families, yet they often face challenges with housing and financial stability. A new Q&A with LISC experts dives into their struggles, critical needs, and a pilot program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help them thrive.