LISC Massachusetts

Access to capital is one of the key components with it comes to wealth building. So many marginalized communities are disenfranchised to participate with traditional banking and lending institutions. Enter, Community Loan Funds to fill that gap and meet the need. This past week Betty Francisco and I hosted a breakfast with fellow Boston Community Fund Leaders doing this work. It was inspiring to learn how we are uplifting local entrepreneurs, removing barriers, and sharing similar struggles. This work is hard and requires a lot to make sure it's built for success. What makes it a little easier is knowing you are not doing this alone, and have colleagues in the area to compare notes, commiserate, and share in community. Thank you Betty Francisco | Boston Impact Initiative, Daliza Nova, MBA | Amplify LatinX, Diego Portillo Mazal | Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, Glynn Lloyd | Nectar Community Investments, @dayanne Bohorquez | Ascendus, and Tina P. | Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) @Jordan Browne | LEAF, Local Enterprise Assistance Fund for coming to share your thoughts, ideas, and passion for this work.

We are thrilled to share that last week Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) received a transformative unrestricted $65 million award from Yield Giving, the MacKenzie Scott foundation! This award is a testament to the LISC model and our success driving impact in local communities. This gift also presents a unique opportunity for our local partners to recommit to our work, leveraging increasing national capacity for deeper local impact. Our Executive Director Gustavo Quiroga shares how: https://lnkd.in/euv--zyc

LISC MA is excited to announce that applications for the fifth cohort of our STAR program will be opened in early December! This path-breaking program is designed to remove barriers and dramatically increase the adoption of solar PV for affordable housing developments across the Commonwealth. STAR participants receive staff time support grants and free technical analysis services to analyze the solar potential and financing options for their portfolio. In anticipation of this upcoming round, the STAR team will be hosting a webinar in early December to preview the program to interested parties. Prospective participants will receive an overview of the program from our technical partner, Resonant Energy. When: Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 1:00 PM Eastern Time Where: Use the link below to register in advance. If you have any questions about STAR, please reach out to Joe De Larauze at [email protected].

Earlier this month, the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) hosted a Climate Funding Forum entitled Decarbonization Opportunities and Resources for Massachusetts Developers. Joined by LISC MA Deputy Director Emily Jones and LISC National Underwriter for Green Projects Michael Salgueiro, the panel covered decarbonization funding resources, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) financing products. With a growing green sector, don’t miss out on all the funding opportunities available for your projects. Watch the recording: https://lnkd.in/eQFT_sbB

MacKenzie Scott and her organization, Yield Giving, are setting a new LISC record! Scott has generously gifted our #CDFI $65 million in unrestricted funding, which will enable LISC and our local partners to be more innovative, creative, and sustainable in our community work + impact nationwide. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eB-ftHAf This contribution builds on a $40 million gift from Scott in 2020, which LISC used to seed programs that narrow gaps in health, wealth and opportunity, particularly for communities of color. We are grateful for the continued partnership!

We’re #hiring a new Senior Program Officer, Lending and Investment in Boston, Massachusetts. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Exciting news! The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) has officially surpassed its $500 million small business lending goal— more than two years ahead of schedule! This incredible achievement is helping close capital gaps in communities of color through loans and technical assistance, directly supporting the growth of 9,500 businesses across 10 metro areas.?? ? LISC is proud to continue empowering local CDFIs to increase access to capital for diverse entrepreneurs who face challenges with traditional financing. But we’re just getting started! EOCF is expanding to double its impact, aiming to support $1 billion in financing for underserved businesses and communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyu_tw6v

Today, the LISC Massachusetts team is heading to Lowell for the second site tour of Gateway cities. We've partnered with MassDevelopment and their Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellows to host our team for day-long neighborhood walking tours of the TDI districts in each city and conversations with key community leaders. Follow us on Instagram (@liscmassachusetts) for updates while we’re out on the road.?

?? Exciting times ahead! We’re thrilled to launch the LISC journey, where innovation meets collaboration. With over 20 SMEs and 80 students on board, we're dedicated to developing new strategies and business models that enhance businesses and create a positive impact in our community. Let’s transform ideas into action together! #LISC #Innovation #Collaboration LISC Massachusetts IXL Center - Center for Innovation, Excellence and Leadership Larisa Jasbon Fadul Bert Cardoen Helena Croce Viola Xhafa ZHDANOVA LLESHAJ Nathalia Velasco Victor Bender Zevallos Vanessa Bahizire

Closing out Hispanic Heritage Month with some shots from last week’s Amplify LatinX #ALX100 Celebración event… to be honored among this group of 99 other Latino leaders from across Massachusetts is humbling but also so, so inspiring. Our communities are overflowing with Latino talent, ingenuity, creativity, and strength. The ALX100 represents exceptional leaders making significant contributions in their respective fields and communities. They are making an impact across the public sector and private industry. They represent the full spectrum of diversity in the Latino world (hey, even a Latino Jew like me is an ALX100!). They come from across the continents but make Massachusetts their home. Over the next six months Amplify LatinX will be hosting events across the state as part of a traveling exhibition to celebrate the ALX 100 and the accomplishments - and future success - of the Latino community in Massachusetts. I’m fired up to be a part of the festivities and hope many of you will join us, because you know it will be a good time! Muchisimas gracias to Eneida Roman for this opportunity.