About Us

LISC, which stands for Local Initiatives Support Corporation, is a national non-profit with a focus on community development.  We help make neighborhoods stronger!

We do this by mobilizing corporate and philanthropic support on behalf of neighborhoods to help them achieve their goals. LISC Kalamazoo is a local branch of the national non-profit that advances redevelopment primarily in the communities of Kalamazoo. We offer the positive environments needed to ensure that all residents of any income level are provided the opportunities and tools to build assets, to participate in the benefits of their communities, and to become part of the mainstream economy.

LISC Kalamazoo transforms distressed urban neighborhoods into healthy communities of choice and opportunity – great places to work, do business and raise children. We mobilize corporate and philanthropic support on behalf of local neighborhoods, providing them with loans, grants and equity investments, policy support, and the technical and management assistance and networks they need to realize their goals.


Our Mission

Together with residents and partners, LISC Kalamazoo forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across our community; making the greater Kalamazoo area a great place to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.


Strategies We Pursue

  • Strengthen existing alliances while building new collaborations to increase our impact on the progress of people and places.
  • Develop leadership and the capacity of partners to advance our work together.
  • Equip talent in underinvested communities with the skills and credentials to compete successfully for quality income and wealth opportunities.
  • Invest in businesses, housing and other community infrastructure to catalyze economic, health, safety and educational mobility for individuals and communities.
  • Drive local, regional, and national policy and system changes that foster broadly shared prosperity and well-being.


How We Do It

We bring key local stakeholders together to find common ground and create a vision for their communities. We then help marshal the resources necessary to make that vision a reality. 

Kalamazoo LISC invests in these elements:

  • Expanding investment in housing and other real estate.
  • Increasing family income and wealth.
  • Stimulating economic development.
  • Providing technical assistance. 
  • Supporting healthy and safe environments and lifestyles.
  • Placing AmeriCoprs Members with our partners.