In 1979, when the Ford Foundation first conceived of LISC, it envisioned an “intermediary”—a nimble non-profit with strong community partnerships that would connect hard-to-tap public and private resources with underinvested places and people working to access opportunities everyone of us deserves. The premise is still just as it was then: government, foundations and for-profit companies have the capital; residents and local institutions understand the need; and LISC bridges the gap by offering the relationships and expertise to help community organizations attract the kinds of resources that allow them do their best work. While the components of our programming and our role continue to evolve and expand, for 40 years, our mission has remained the same.
We receive our funding from banks, corporations, foundations and government agencies. We, in turn, use that funding to provide financing (loans, grants and equity) and technical and management assistance to local partners and developers. Through our 37 local offices, a ruralprogram that reaches more than 2,200 counties in 45 states, and LISC-founded affiliates and entities, we work with a vast network of community-based partners to make investments in housing, businesses, jobs, education, safety and health.