Foot Locker, LISC Open Grant Application for Nonprofits in 13 cities Focused on Youth, Equity, Empowerment
Foot Locker Foundation, Inc., and LISC invite youth-serving nonprofits in 13 cities to apply for grants through the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program. Applications are due September 30, 2024.
NEW YORK (May 29, 2024)—Foot Locker Foundation, Inc., and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have opened a new round of funding for community-based organizations whose programs advance opportunities for youth in underserved communities.
The grants are part of the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, a multi-year collaboration with LISC that has delivered nearly $4 million to 54 organizations over the past three years. The program prioritizes grassroots organizations at a tipping point of growth, where the funding and technical assistance available through LISC can help them reach levels of program quality, delivery and sustainability that would not otherwise be possible.
Grants of $25,000-$100,000 are available, and nonprofits based in and serving 13 cities are eligible to apply, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Applicants should have a track record of impact in one or more of the program’s key objectives: community outreach, particularly focused on youth health and wellness; mentoring around life skills, academics and conflict resolution; and career development to build skills and pathways to employment.
“Foot Locker’s partnership with LISC provides grant funding to support local organizations as part of our mission to transform the communities we serve. By funding these deserving educational and economic development programs, we’re aiming to produce outcomes of generational growth for young people in under resourced communities across the country," said Tai Neal, vice president of LEED Strategy at Foot Locker, Inc. “Foot Locker and our LEED initiative are proud to amplify and invest in the impactful work designed to narrow opportunity gaps for our youth and create space for them to control the narratives of their lives.”
The Community Empowerment Program responds to persistent social, racial and economic disparities—gaps that not only limit opportunities for young people but also impact the availability of funding for the nonprofits that serve them. Recent grants have supported a new incubator space for youth workforce development (Houston), tech education and mentoring (Oakland) and an academic support program that integrates transitional housing, case management, support for basic needs, and financial literacy workshops for families (Washington, D.C.).
“We need our youth and future leaders to see that they have opportunities in life and can develop the tools to take advantage of them—especially in communities where race and income may dramatically affect a family’s outlook,” said Michael T. Pugh, LISC president and CEO. “That’s why Foot Locker’s approach is so important: these grants not only help empower the young people being served today, but they also build a strong social infrastructure that will contribute to health, safety, and economic growth in their communities, long into the future.”
“Foot Locker has been a remarkable partner in this work,” agreed Beverly Smith, LISC vice president of sports and recreation. “More than supporting any one organization, these grants have a strong ripple effect on the well-being of whole communities. They are feeding hopeful aspirations for the future."
The Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program is part of the company’s $200 million commitment to education and economic development in low-income and minority communities. For information on grant guidelines and how to apply, visit the LISC website. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2024.
About LISC
LISC is one of the country's largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested nearly $32 billion to create more than 506,000 affordable homes and apartments, developed 82.5 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and helped tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For more, visit www.lisc.org.
About Foot Locker
Foot Locker, Inc. is a leading footwear and apparel retailer that unlocks the "inner sneakerhead" in all of us. With approximately 2,500 retail stores in 26 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and a licensed store presence in the Middle East and Asia, Foot Locker, Inc. has a strong history of sneaker authority that sparks discovery and ignites the power of sneaker culture through its portfolio of brands, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos. For more information visit footlocker-inc.com.