Frequently Asked Questions

Where is DC LISC's service area?

How long has LISC been in Washington, DC?

How is DC LISC associated with National LISC?

Where does DC LISC get its funding?

What types of organizations does DC LISC support?

Does LISC accept grant proposals?

How can my organization apply for a loan?

What is LISC's relationship to the National Equity Fund?

How can I find affordable housing in Washington, DC?

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Q: Where is DC LISC’s service area?

A:  DC LISC works within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. We are currently focused on four targeted neighborhoods, but do support projects citywide.

Q:  How long has DC LISC been in Washington, DC?

A:  The DC LISC office opened in 1982.  For more on our history, please click here .

Q: How is DC LISC associated with National LISC?

A.  DC LISC is one of 30 urban and rural sites around the country.  As part of the LISC network, DC LISC has access to expertise, best practices and national resources. To find out more visit www.lisc.org.

Q. Where does DC LISC get its funding?

A. DC LISC is a nonprofit organization.  It raises operating funds from a variety of foundations, corporations and individuals.   Our program dollars (i.e..,dollars that we pass through for technical assistance and grants) are raised from the Federal Government, Corporations and in some cases Foundations.

Q: What types of organizations does LISC support?

LISC supports organizations that meet one of the following criteria:

• Nonprofit providers of community services such as healthcare, childcare, senior, youth, arts, and wellness;
• Nonprofit housing developers; 
• Community development corporations;
• Joint ventures between for profits and nonprofits;
• Lead nonprofits undertaking comprehensive neighborhood revitalization.

Q. Does LISC accept grant proposals?

A. DC LISC does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. You must be invited to apply for grant funding. We select our small pool of grantees through an informal selection process where we conduct due diligence and the potential grantee is helping to meet one of our  5 core goals in our targeted neighborhoods or through an equitable development project.   

Q. How can I apply for a loan?

A. LISC invites organizations seeking one of our many loan products, to contact our Senior program officer for lending, Ramon Jacobson.

Q. What is LISC’s relationship to the National Equity Fund (NEF)?

A. NEF, Inc. was created in 1987 by LISC to help bring capital to affordable housing rental projects.  Since that time, NEF has become a leading national syndicator of tax credit projects – using both the Low income Housing Tax Credit and the New Markets Tax Credit.  In Washington, DC NEF is actively seeking investment opportunities, for more information please visit their website www.nefinc.org, or contact Ramon Jacobson.

Q.  How can I find affordable housing in Washington DC?

A.  A good place to start is www.dchousingsearch.org – It contains both affordable homeownership and rental properties.  If you are looking for homeownership housing, we encourage you to contact DC LISC partners,  Manna Inc and Mi Casa Inc and DC Habitat for Humanity.