Houston-based Laveer Logix recently received a $260,000 working capital loan from LISC to expand its capacity to serve federal agencies and fuel growth through new contracts. The loan was supported by the Abbott-LISC Initiative to Support Diverse Businesses in Health and the LISC Entrepreneurs of Color Fund supported by JPMorganChase.

The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) is designed to get much-needed capital directly into the hands of small business owners serving communities of color, and works through over 20 CDFI partners in local markets across the country, with LISC as national manager. Kim Buttemer, a small business finance expert who now works with EOCF as an advisor shares her insight into how CDFIs can support organizations’ growth.

A $405,000 acquisition loan from LISC supported by Starbucks made it possible for entrepreneur Ruben Perez to purchase a mixed-use property in Chicago. LISC financing is helping Perez build equity in commercial real estate and serve the low- and medium-income area of the city through his business Guerrero Produce.

This holiday season, support LISC small business borrowers and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! All of the businesses featured here have received LISC capital to acquire their location, hire new staff, or increase inventory to help their business grow.

By Steve Hall, LISC Vice President of Economic Development

The team behind the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) recently took a look back at positive outcomes and experience working with CDFIs to expand access to capital for underserved businesses. "It is clearly possible to successfully implement inclusive lending policies,” writes LISC’s Steve Hall, who leads the EOCF work. "But it requires a different way of thinking about the process and a willingness to step back from traditional notions about risk."

In this report, the LISC team behind the innovative Entrepreneurs of Color Fund reflects on how the fund has expanded access to capital for underserved owners and communities.

LISC is bringing its successful Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) to Miami, to help get growth capital to diverse small business owners who historically have been shut out of conventional lending streams. EOCF, which currently operates in 10 U.S. cities, will partner with four Dade County economic development nonprofits to connect Miami-area entrepreneurs to the dollars and technical assistance they need to flourish and create jobs.

LISC’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) brought together lenders and partners to discuss the best strategies for leveraging capital and expertise to support our communities.