LISC Housing Program

LISC Housing Program is a grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country's largest social enterprises, that invests in affordable housing, quality schools, safer streets, growing businesses, and programs connecting residents with financial opportunity in underserved communities.

LISC's small business grant funds immediate operational costs including rent, utilities, and payroll for businesses in low-to-moderate income communities. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age and may apply for one business only. Priority is given to businesses in under-resourced LMI communities lacking access to flexible capital.

Nonprofit organizations are not eligible for the small business grant. Grants do not need to be repaid. LISC operates through local offices nationwide and in rural counties.

Grant Information & FAQ | Local Initiatives Support Corporation LISC Institute for Community Power Corporations & Foundations Child Care & Early Learning Sports & Youth Development Power Forward Communities Child Care & Early Learning Sports & Youth Development Child Care & Early Learning Sports & Youth Development Special Initiatives Expand Power Forward Communities LISC Institute for Community Power Corporations & Foundations Child Care & Early Learning Grants to Small Businesses Business Development Organization Network Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Sports & Youth Development Child Care & Early Learning Grants to Small Businesses Business Development Organization Network Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Sports & Youth Development This landing page includes information for businesses seeking a Small Business Grant .

Before proceeding, it is recommended that individuals thoroughly read this for information and check back frequently for updates. Learn more about our work and current grant opportunities here . LISC is one of the country's largest social enterprises supporting projects and programs to revitalize underserved communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents.

We invest in affordable housing, quality schools, safer streets, growing businesses and programs that connect people with financial opportunity. In response to the pandemic, we are delivering resources and expertise to support communities, businesses and people. Learn more here .

Below are general eligibility guidelines. Please consult the eligibility information stated on the webpage for the specific small business program to which you are applying. Applicants may apply for one business only and must be at least 18 years of age to apply.

For business owners with multiple businesses, please complete this application based on your largest business owned. Each grant is limited to one individual/business. Eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission.

Priority will be given to businesses located in under-resourced LMI communities that may not have access to flexible, affordable capital. Non-profit organizations are ineligible for this grant. Applicants may apply for one business only and must be 18 years of age to apply.

All awardees will have to certify that they are promoting the best interests of the community. Current directors, officers, employees and contractors of LISC and such individuals' family members (spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and spouses of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren) are not eligible to apply or seek an award.

In addition to verifying there is no such conflict with LISC, for each round, applicants will need to similarly establish that s/he does not have a conflict with any donors or funders involved in that particular pool. The list of Donors/Funders connected to a particular round will be disclosed explicitly for response by the applicant or finalist. LISC may monitor and conduct evaluation activity funded by the small business grant.

This might involve a review of quantitative or qualitative data needed to understand the impact of the funding. Frequently Asked Questions Can I change my application after it’s been submitted? It is recommended that before completing and submitting the online form, respondents review answers carefully, as your work may not be saved if you leave the web page before submitting the application.

You may also lose your work if your internet is disconnected, or as a result of other potential web browser issues. LISC cannot accept changes to the application once it has been submitted, so please review it carefully. Do grant applicants receive a confirmation that they submitted their application?

Every applicant receives a confirmation screen that follows if all fields are filled out correctly and after hitting "done". If I applied in a previous round, do I have to apply again or will my application roll-over? No, applications do not roll over to later rounds.

You must submit a new application for each round of grants in order to be considered for funding that round. Each round has unique aspects and distinct funder requirements. If I received a LISC Covid Relief Grant in a prior round, may I reapply for subsequent rounds?

Prior awardees from earlier LISC Covid Relief Grant pools should check the specific grant program application for further information on eligibility for receiving more than one grant. You may register here to be notified of grant rounds opening. How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?

LISC will primarily utilize email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email communications with applicants will come from smallbusinessservices@lisc.

org. Finalists will receive next steps from notifications@lisc. org.

Finalists will be notified by email and must respond promptly. The return of any grantee notification message or document as undeliverable may result in disqualification of the applicable grantee, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the grant, and the selection of a substitute from among all remaining eligible finalists. What does it mean to be a “finalist” and will there be additional documentation required?

If your business is selected as a finalist, you will be notified via email. Being selected as a finalist does not guarantee you will receive a grant. As a finalist, additional documentation will be required to screen and verify business information for due diligence, parameters of which are required by the funding source.

This may include a background search that LISC will conduct at our expense and submission of additional information to include verification information such as date of birth, SSN, TIN/ITIN, EIN, W-9 and appropriate banking information in order to receive funds via ACH if awarded. The background verification does not involve a credit check or credit score pull.

Please be aware that valid grant applications are only accepted through the links posted on http://www. lisc. org and that LISC will never request copies of personal documentation such as driver’s licenses, passports and/or green cards.

The Small Business Grant applications are intended to collect basic information about your businesses and it is LISC's recommendation that applicants should not pay a fee for assistance in completing this form. Paid professional services will not increase any applicant’s chances of selection. If you see instances of fraud online or have questions, contact us at smallbusinessservices@lisc.

org. What can the grant be used for? Payables to include rent and utilities Meeting payroll (to include the applicant) Other immediate operational costs The Grantee shall fully comply with all applicable federal, state, local (and any other governmental) laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations in connection with its use of grant funds.

Does anything need to be repaid? No, these grants do not need to be repaid. However, all taxes associated with the acceptance and/or uses of cash awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee.

Cash awarded will be reported by LISC to the IRS as LISC deems necessary according to applicable law. It is further the policy of LISC that all LISC grantees be advised to consult with their own tax professionals and/or legal counsel to ascertain the tax impact of the cash awards. LISC will issue a Form 1099 for any grant of $600 or more.

Will receiving a grant impact other federal assistance or unemployment insurance eligibility? A grant may affect your unemployment insurance claim if the grant is used to pay payroll expenses during the period you receive unemployment benefits. The amount of unemployment assistance is usually determined by recent earnings, and most likely, you will have to certify on a weekly basis to any income received the previous week as wages.

Please consult your state’s unemployment office for more information about unemployment insurance claims. Have additional questions? We are monitoring inquiries sent to SmallBusinessServices@lisc.

org and will be posting answers and updates on this landing page in an effort to support transparency and equal access to information for all applicants. © 2025 Local Initiatives Support Corporation 28 Liberty Street, Floor 34, New York, NY 10005 | 212. 455.

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