An article in Bloomberg highlights MacKenzie Scott’s recent unrestricted grant-making to nonprofits, including a $65 million gift to LISC. Unrestricted gifts like this, in addition to Scott’s 2020 donation of $40 million, allow LISC to intensify and build upon its work with a more flexible and innovative approach. As our CEO Michael Pugh noted to …

LISC is teaming up with Lowe’s to help small businesses in Western North Carolina recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. We will make $20,000 grants to 100 small businesses to address urgent needs and jumpstart recovery. Small businesses in disaster-declared communities may apply for grants from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22.

Ashtine Rieke is a trained welder who adapted her metalworking skills to launch a creative business, Studio Black Avenue, a fabricator and designer of flowers and sculptures made from copper and steel. Based in southern Oregon, Rieke sells her creations through her website and at an array of local events. Looking to grow her business, …