Supporting enterprises
LISC supports job growth in underserved communities by helping equip local businesses with the resources they need to grow. We provide direct financing while also building out larger networks of coordinated assistance for small enterprises overlooked by conventional financing channels. We strategically support businesses in low- and moderate-income communities, as well as businesses owned by veteran, woman, and minority entrepreneurs. This network includes connections to trained employees and districts where the business can thrive.
LISC has a growing array of loan and equity products for commercial, real estate, and business development. Learn more below or contact us directly for more information:
- LISC’s resources guides, Small Business Resources State-by-State and Small Business Resources in LISC Markets, include links to resources for small businesses looking to access capital and other supports across the country.
- National LISC Loan Portfolio: LISC offers flexible loan and equity options to fund real estate development, business acquisition/transfer, equipment, and working capital.
- Subsidiaries and Loan Fund Partnerships:
- LISC’s investment affiliate, New Markets Support Company, provides creative access to capital through tailored products and services.
- Through a national partnership with Kiva, LISC sponsors a one-to-one match financing up to $10,000 that helps small business owners reach their crowdfunded loan goal on Kiva’s platform.
- LISC Strategic Investments develops and manages various business investments vehicles outside of National LISC Loan Portfolio through impact funds, community investment accelerators, and venture investments.
- LISC Small Business COVID-19 Relief: Our country is experiencing an unprecedented economic fallout due to the Covid-19 pandemic. LISC is responding with immediate relief grants for small businesses and new long-term network -wide partnerships to help aid in ongoing recovery.
These investments are made possible through the creative use of local and national resources leveraging programs like Opportunity Zones, New Market Tax Credits, credit enhancement, grant programs, and LISC’s own lending and loan fund affiliates.
Building Equitable Local Ecosystems for Small Business
Insight and guidance to stakeholders looking to forge robust small business ecosystems in historically under-invested communities, the same communities that have also borne the brunt of the pandemic's economic fallout.
Setting the Stage for an Equitable Small Business Recovery
Bill Taft, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at LISC, discusses how LISC and our partners can foster opportunity and long-term resiliency for all entrepreneurs – especially those who confront entrenched inequities.