LISC Chicago

Congratulations to The Bloc and URBAN MALE NETWORK., which received grants from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Foot Locker Foundation! These community-based organizations in Chicago provide critical programming and services to help young people build brighter futures for themselves and their families. They are among 14 organizations nationwide to be awarded grants from the fourth round of the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program. Learn more about the grantees and the next funding round coming this spring: https://lnkd.in/eruZFTi9

New accelerator program! Creative entrepreneurs in Illinois and Indiana are invited to apply for A4CB's Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy, supported by the Etsy Uplift Fund. The program includes a six-week virtual coaching cohort and a $5,000 grant for 100 entrepreneurs. Apply today: a4cb.org/AEA

This Women's History Month, we recognize Illinois women whose efforts have strengthened and transformed communities. Their commitment to growth, connection, and leadership paves the way for a better future. #WomensHistoryMonth

Meet Dextrianna Magee (Dex), a rural Mississippi native who recently earned an MBA from William Carey University. She was working three jobs to make ends meet when she discovered RCLF in Gulfport, MS, a #CDFI that helps people become successful homeowners and entrepreneurs. Thanks to the LISC AmeriCorps – Economic Mobility program supported by Citi Foundation, Magee now works at RCLF as an outreach representative, who spends her time in the community promoting the organization’s services and resources. Last fall she attended the Opportunity Finance Network Conference in Los Angeles, where she got to network with people from CDFIs across the country. “They just opened my eyes to a lot of opportunity out there that I just was not aware of,” she said. Magee plans to continue working in the CDFI industry when her AmeriCorps term ends this April. Hear Magee talk about what inspired her to join AmeriCorps and the most important thing she’s learned from her time with RCLF. Rural LISC

This! ?? congrats Pastor Corey Brooks! Thank you for the opportunity for LISC Chicago to support your vision!

Last month, we were thrilled to announce the launch of our Ecosystem Assessment, a data-gathering and community engagement process in partnership with CookCountyArts that will make recommendations for the future of a thriving, suburban creative community. Learn more, and take the short survey to ensure your suburban creative community's perspective is captured: https://lnkd.in/g4WSDm-X We also are proud to support CookCountyArts and LISC Chicago 's Creative Placemaking program through our Help Desk, which provides 1-1 support to applicants. Visit the Help Desk: https://lnkd.in/dpF6bhPk Learn more about Creative Placemaking: https://lnkd.in/dyZkSUT8

A community-centered economic inclusion agenda just wrapped up in Back of the Yards! This LISC-led initiative is the first of its kind in Chicago and identified three key areas for growth: the Ashland Hotel, the Rainbow Building, and the 47th Yards Plaza. Participants in the process—including LISC staff, the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, city officials, nonprofits, community members, and residents—honored the community’s identity and history to shape their vision for the future. Hear more from members and residents about the plan and what Back of the Yards means to them. #economicagenda #chicago #backoftheyards #nonprofits

Save the Date! The 31st Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards will be live at Radius at 4 P.M. on June 26. ?? ?? We are proud to recognize impactful and innovative community real estate projects and programs that are developing resilient and harmonious neighborhoods. Visit the CNDA website to learn more about previous winners’ projects and mark your calendars for this year’s event. https://map.lisc-cnda.org/

We were thrilled to join the Illinois Affordable Housing Forum, where our Senior Executive Director, Meghan Harte, shared insights on expanding opportunities in housing development. A huge thank you to the Illinois Housing Council (IHC) for bringing together industry leaders and experts dedicated to building stronger communities. Collaboration drives lasting impact, and we look forward to continuing this important work! #IllinoisAffordableHousingForum #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment

Just closed over 40+ Million in New Market Tax Credit Allocation for the H.O.O.D....... Project H.O.O.D. has officially closed the NMTC financing for the Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center! This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible teamwork, dedication, and persistence of so many individuals. Thanks so much to my "Dream Team.!" of superstars around the country. Corey Brooks Brian Lamar Alexander, J.D. A huge thank you to our financing partners and their counsel for sticking with us through every challenge and hurdle. Your commitment to this project will bring lasting transformation to one of the toughest neighborhoods in America. With deep gratitude, we recognize: U.S. Bank| IFF (CDFI) | LISC Chicago | JPMorganChase | Accion Opportunity Fund | SCORE-CDE | Related Midwest | and more. And to our legal and advisory partners: Baker Tilly US | Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C. | Husch Blackwell | Dentons | Leverage Law Group, LLC | Stinson LLP | Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Boodell & Domanskis, LLC Huge Kudos to the best NMTC team in the land Baker Tilly US led by Mike Kwiatkowski! Your partnership is not just about financing—it’s about building HOPE, opportunity, and a future for countless lives. The generations of lives we will change from this project.........PRICELESS! Thank you! #NMTC #ProjectHOOD #Transformation #LeadershipAndOpportunity #HelpingOthers #ICantWaitTilYouSeeOurNextProject #ComingToHOODNearYou #DoYouBelieveYet