LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, strategy and know-how to become places where people can thrive.
Working with local leaders we invest in housing, health, education, public safety and employment - all basic needs that must be tackled at once so that progress in one is not undermined by neglect in another.
Sharing our expertise of 30-plus years, we bring together key local players to take on pressing challenges and incubate new solutions. As one of America’s largest community development support organizations, LISC provides financial, organizational, and management support to local organizations dedicated to revitalizing their communities and improving the quality of life for residents. Financial support is offered in the form of loans, grants, equity investments and on-the-ground experience to help community developers and other partners revitalize their neighborhoods.
Los Angeles LISC has a great opportunity in partnership with HUD to support new planning and capacity building in Los Angeles’ neighborhoods. To that end, we are soliciting letters of interest from community development corporations (CDCs) who would like to partner with LISC to build their capacity through community engagement and neighborhood revitalization.
LA LISC 2019 Funding Priorities
Through HUD Section 4 funding, LISC makes grants available to community partners whose goals and programs are strategically aligned with our programmatic priorities to preserve and develop affordable housing, increase access to living wage jobs, increase financial capability, health and safety of residents, revitalize key commercial corridors, and foster minority-owned enterprises. In order to maximize impact, we look to allocate HUD Section 4 resources where our grant funds leverage other investments and long-standing partnerships.
LA LISC is interested in funding organizations that are addressing the following:
Increasing and preserving affordable housing development in low-to-moderate income communities while improving the health outcomes of residents that live in these communities;
Implementing job and workforce development programs (Including financial income & wealth building); and
Leading economic development activities along commercial corridors, around transit, including but not limited to small business assistance, creative placemaking, and micro-lending for Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises
Supporting internal organization infrastructure and systems through additional trainings or the use of a consultant. Examples include: strategic plan development, equity and inclusion assessments, and/or providing training for your board, finance staff, etc.
Preference will be given to LA Promise Zone or SLATE-Z partners, but partners outside of those neighborhoods are still encouraged to apply. In addition, LA LISC will also consider the ways that grantees integrate programs and projects that support community revitalization efforts through the promotion of neighborhood health, safety, equity, and inclusion.
Letters of Intent
Please submit your letter of intent that is no more than two pages and includes the following information:
Capacity Building
LISC Los Angeles will require that the selected Section 4 grantees attend two trainings to build the build their staff’s internal capacity. We host an orientation in early October in which a member of the program staff and finance team attend to understand grant compliance and expectations. The second training will be scheduled halfway through the grant period.
Timeline
Letters of Intent are due by Friday, August 16, 2019 at 4:00PM. Please submit your 2 page summary of your proposal to Sandra Romero (SRomero@lisc.org) with the Subject line: Capacity Building Grant.
LISC Los Angeles will then select the top applicants to invite a full application due on September 6th. Grantees will be notified by mid-September with contracts beginning on October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020.
Grant Allocation and Term
LA LISC provides local recommendations for funding to the LISC National office for final approval. Grants will be made between $20,000-$35,000, subject to funding availability. Grant terms usually run from October 1 – September 30th. The grants will involve quarterly financial reports and narrative reports.
Eligible Organizations
CDC partners are invited to apply provided they meet the eligibility requirements listed below. CDCs are permitted and encouraged to partner with each other, community-based organizations, and neighborhood associations, however, the CDC must serve as the lead applicant. New recipients of Section 4 funding will be required to complete additional questions/intake form to become certified CDCs as per HUD S4 standards.
Eligible organizations must meet the following threshold criteria:
About HUD Section 4
HUD Section 4 funds are intended to build organizational capacity. HUD Section 4 grants are reimbursement-based. Selected grantees submit financial reports and backup documentation to LISC on a monthly basis for reimbursement.
LISC is required by HUD to conduct a review of organizational financial management systems, personnel systems, and procurement procedures. These reviews are not formal audits, and any findings are not passed along to HUD. Rather they are used to build the capacity of the partner organization.
Additional Information
Questions? Contact Jessica Wackenhut (jwackenhut@lisc.org) / 213-250-9550 x 101.