Economic Development

LISC NY’s economic development work aims to improve the health of neighborhoods – especially those in low-income communities and communities of color – by investing in projects and businesses that build social, physical, and economic assets of residents.

We do this by supporting an ecosystem of resources and supports that help small businesses, especially BIPOC, veteran, and LGBTQ+ owned enterprises, to grow and prosper. We leverage our deep relationships with local partners, known as Business Development Organizations (BDOs), to provide financing as well as direct technical assistance tailored to the needs of small business who have historically struggled to access mainstream capital. In recent years, we have also helped to strengthen New York City’s diverse commercial corridors and business improvement districts through public/private partnerships and support for community-based organizations dedicated to revitalizing corridors in their communities.

In light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched a Small Business Relief & Recovery Fund in 2020, which provided $10,000 grants to minority-owned small businesses struggling in light of the pandemic. In addition, we have supported 16 community-based organizations throughout New York City to offer technical assistance to small businesses to not only survive the pandemic, but to strengthen and grow.

Explore our economic development work:

• Real Estate Financing & Technical Assistance
• NYC Inclusive Creative Economy Fund
• Small Business Support
  • Small Business Relief & Recovery Funding
  • Business Development Organization (BDO) Network