Funder Spotlight: JPMorgan Chase & Co.

To promote greater economic opportunity for people of color and place racial equity at the center of our neighborhood revitalization work, JPMorgan Chase provides generous funding to LISC Connecticut. We connected with Rafia Zahir-Uddin, VP of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co, to get the scoop!

LISC: What values/goals of the LISC project is important to you?
Rafia: LISC CT’s commitment to diversity and equity of opportunity is apparent throughout the culture of the organization and through the programs that the team delivers. From the first conversation I had with the team, to the time I spent with them meeting with local CDC’s, it was clear that LISC CT has strong relationships across the state. They employ a thoughtful approach to listening to community challenges and then co-designing initiatives that center the voices of those impacted to ensure they are meeting the most pressing needs in the most effective way.  They recognize the challenges that BIPOC-led organizations face securing funding and building organizational capacity to expand their services, and are at the forefront of addressing these problems.

LISC: What community initiative does your business represent?
Rafia: In 2022, JPMorgan Chase partnered with LISC CT on the “Strengthening Connecticut’s BIPOC-Led Community Development Organizations” initiative. The goal of this initiative is to build the organizational capacity of Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led (BIPOC) Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to attract capital, helping to enhance their goals of addressing housing, economic insecurity and neighborhood revitalization in historically underinvested neighborhoods. The initiative is bringing together a cohort of seven CDC’s across the state  who will receive executive coaching, guidance on developing a strategic growth plan  and pre-application support to apply for the United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 4 Capacity Building grant.  The HUD grant supports staff salaries, consultant services, and/or technology/software upgrades to help grow an organization’s infrastructure and expand services. 

LISC: Why is it important for your company to give back to the community?
Rafia: JPMorgan Chase is committed to advancing  an  economy that works for everyone.  We believe that everyone should have equitable access to opportunity, whether through affordable housing, career and job skills, entrepreneurship growth or finance health . We invest in organizations, like LISC CT, that use innovative, data-driven and collaborative solutions to uplift communities and generate inclusive economic opportunities for all.