LISC Indianapolis
LISC Indianapolis is the local office of a national organization that helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy ones.
By mobilizing corporate, government, and philanthropic support, LISC provides financing, technical advice, management and program consulting, training, and policy support to neighborhoods. We work to restore housing, stimulate economic development, champion education, create avenues out of poverty, and support healthy environments and lifestyles. Our efforts are based on the proven principle that sustainable revitalization works best when it is driven by community residents and stakeholders, not imposed from the outside.
Services include:
Entrepreneurship focused non profits are critical to a thriving small business ecosystem in Indianapolis. However, there are limited resources and supports focused on the non profit’s internal operations, financial structures and development to ensure the organization has a strong foundation. In response to this need, LISC Indianapolis is providing capacity building support to focus on key components of non-profit development.
The Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Program provides grants to property and small business owners that are interested in renovating the front exterior. This grant was created to encourage property owners and small businesses to improve the exterior of their buildings and storefronts to attract new customers and beautify the area. These front exterior improvements could include signage, exterior lighting, windows, murals, painting, doors, and/or structural or design changes. For examples of past awarded projects, click here. This is a rebate program where business and property owners receive reimbursement for between 50-90% of the cost of the project in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for completed work.
LISC created the Microenterprise Navigator Program in 2021 to provide technical assistance and training to business owners who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and provide goods and/or services to residents of low-to-moderate income areas. The program strengthens microenterprises owned by low-income individuals from under-resourced and underserved communities to be able to compete in the market and grow and provides resource navigation services for other microenterprises in the community that do not qualify to receive technical assistance under this program.
LISC serves small businesses overlooked by traditional financing channels by providing flexible loan options and technical support. Through our suite of commercial and real estate loan products, LISC provides financing to for-profit businesses located in underserved neighborhoods and rural communities where we work. We strategically support businesses in low- and moderate-income communities, and businesses owned by veteran, woman, and minority entrepreneurs.
With financial support from Cummins, through their Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC Indianapolis has established a real estate assistance fund to provide up to $40,000 grants for Black businesses in Indianapolis that are seeking to purchase commercial property or retain their commercial property through capital improvements. These grants can be applied toward loan closing costs.
The Real Estate Assistance Fund for Black-Owned Businesses grant assistance is available for eligible businesses approved for a real estate loan from one of the Indianapolis Small Business CDFI Collaboration partners: BuildFund, Business Ownership Initiative, Bankable or LISC. The Indianapolis CDFI Collaborative is a partnership of four community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that have a focus on commercial or small business lending in Indianapolis.
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