Dawn Deck Takes the Helm at LISC Upstate South Carolina

8.11.2021 - LISC StoriesPress Releases

Dawn Deck takes the helm at LISC Upstate South Carolina to expand community investments, fuel inclusive growth

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Aug. 11, 2021)—The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named Dawn Deck, a dedicated community investment leader with deep roots in Spartanburg, as executive director of LISC Upstate South Carolina—a program with ambitious plans to invest in affordable housing, economic development, health, education and jobs throughout the region.

LISC is a national nonprofit that has delivered more than $24 billion to urban and rural communities in every state, with a particular focus on narrowing racial gaps in health, wealth and opportunity. It operates through 37 metro area program sites and a national rural program that supports work in 2,200 counties.

Dawn Deck Executive Director LISC Upstate South Carolina

Deck brings two decades of experience to her new position leading LISC Upstate South Carolina. She most recently served as investments and grants manager at the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, where she helped drive the organization’s capitalization strategy and expanded its community development investments throughout the state.

Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at The ETV Endowment of South Carolina, first as membership manager and then as director of planned giving, helping fuel statewide public broadcasting programs. And earlier, she was a branch officer at The Palmetto Bank, overseeing personnel, managing budgets and conducting lending activity.

“For more than 20 years, Dawn has demonstrated not only a commitment to the well-being of families and communities in South Carolina, but also the expertise required to make high-impact investments that deliver sustainable results,” said Lisa Glover, interim LISC president and CEO. “We are excited that she has chosen to bring her passion and her skills to LISC and to the work we are doing throughout the region.”

LISC launched LISC Upstate South Carolina in late 2019 and made some early investments in affordable housing, including more than $9 million for two developments in Spartanburg and Greenville. More recently, LISC provided pandemic relief grants and loans to more than 120 small businesses in South Carolina, most of which are owned by entrepreneurs of color and operating in underserved communities. All told, LISC has invested nearly $77 million in grants, loans and equity throughout the state.

“Our region is rich in talent, culture and energy,” said Deck, who was born and raised in Spartanburg. “At LISC, we want to tap into all of that, to connect capital and provide technical support to local efforts that build a broadly shared prosperity—one in which everyone has a chance to thrive, no matter their zip code. Right now, after the challenges of the last 18 months, that is more important than ever,” she added.

In addition to her professional work, Deck has been deeply engaged in her community. She has volunteered her time as a trustee of Spartanburg District Five Schools, Spartanburg Children’s Shelter, the Chapman Cultural Center, the Spartanburg West Rotary Club and the United Way of the Piedmont, among other community service programs.

Deck can be reached at ddeck@lisc.org.

About LISC

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $24 billion to build or rehab more than 436,320 affordable homes and apartments and develop 74.4 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more, visit www.lisc.org.