LISC Chicago

🏀 Hoops in the Hood is up and running across the city, including on brand-new courts! Last week, UCAN kicked off its summer programming with the grand opening of a revitalized court. The community came together to celebrate the ribbon cutting, enjoy some basketball, plant beautiful flowers and more. LISC is proud to be part of this court's journey to revitalization and we can't wait to see the community bring it to life. 🌟

✨ Celebrating Corridor Managers ✨

The innovative community development initiatives led by the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council address chronic disinvestment in the neighborhood by transforming vacant properties into attractive spaces for potential tenants. By building relationships with property owners and fostering community dialogue, this project aims to revitalize the area and shift its narrative to one of renewed possibility and community pride. We are excited to see this amazing change happen!

Learn more about the project at the link below!

https://lisc-test.my.canva.site/corridor-manager-project-showcase-digital-event-program2024

Over the past 3 years, LISC and Foot Locker Foundation have awarded grants to 50+ youth-serving nonprofits nationwide. Could your be next? Learn more about the Community Empowerment Program and apply for grants up to $100K by September 30: https://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/sports-recreation/foot-locker-foundation-community-empowerment-program/

Celebrating 30 years of the CNDAs! The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards were a resounding success, recognizing outstanding community development projects and leaders who are shaping the future of our city. Congratulations to all winners and here's to three decades of innovation, resilience and building stronger communities together. 🎉 🌟

Ruth Jones Nichols, Formerly of HUD, Joins LISC as Executive Vice President to Lead Nationwide Program Activity | Local Initiatives Support Corporation Dr. Jones Nichols will oversee LISC’s 37 metro-area program offices, Rural LISC and all its national programs. In addition to her federal leadership experience, she brings to LISC decades of experience working at the local level on critical issues related to housing, jobs, racial and gender equity...

Looking to expand your network as a small business owner or entrepreneur? Join us for one of the networking events hosted by LISC to discover how the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program can help you move forward and give you a chance to apply for a $10k grant!

📅: July 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Cafe Calida in Humboldt Park
📅: August 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Spill the Beans in Austin

✨ Celebrating Corridor Managers ✨

LISC is proud to support New Covenant Community Dev. Corp's unique economic development projects. This summer, New Covenant CDC is making space for small entrepreneurs in a park along the Ogden Avenue Corridor by retrofitting shipping containers to serve as temporary business space. This initiative provides local entrepreneurs with affordable retail spaces, fostering community interaction and strengthening the local economy. LISC Chicago is proud to support this mission!

Learn more about the project at the link below!

https://lisc-test.my.canva.site/corridor-manager-project-showcase-digital-event-program2024

We are proud to be a part of Sheila’s @ Douglass 18’s journey alongside the Mars Wrigley Foundation. Part of the North Lawndale Quality-of-Life Plan, the concession stand is helping to raise money for local youth programming in business and entrepreneurship. You can help support the neighborhood youth by visiting the stand today!

This Saturday! Sheila’s @ Douglass 18 is having its GRAND OPENING! Founded by New Lawndale community member Sheila McNary, the concession stand will serve up delicious food and raise money for local youth programming through the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council's Arts & Culture Committee. Come celebrate with LISC, Mars Wrigley Foundation, Douglass 18 and, of course, Sheila herself.

You can sign up for the grand opening at the link below. It will be fun for the whole family!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grand-opening-sheilas-at-douglass-18-concession-stand-tickets-920378064567?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Get energized and ready for this year’s at the historic theater Apollos 2000 in Marshall Square! Built in 1917 as a movie theater and transformed in the 1990s into a venue for private events and concerts, it is a Chicago historical gem and community anchor for showcasing entertainment and celebrating culture and artistic expression.

Big news! State Farm has committed a new $2M, one-year grant to support affordable housing, small business, income and wealth building, and healthy food access in under-resourced communities nationwide. With the new grant, State Farm’s support for LISC now totals $155M since 2000! We celebrate this renewed commitment by reflecting on our impact together in 2023. https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/lisc-state-farm-celebrating-more-two-decades-impact/

Get energized and ready for this year’s at the historic theater in Marshall Square! Built in 1917 as a movie theater and transformed in the 1990s into a venue for private events and concerts, it is a Chicago historical gem and community anchor for showcasing entertainment and celebrating culture and artistic expression.

Get energized and ready for this year’s and join us with Gabe Ramirez, a proud Puerto Rican born and raised in Chicago. Committed to uniting the city, Ramirez’s dynamic personality resonates through the airwaves, capturing the essence of local events, neighborhood stories, and the vibrant spirit of the people.

Ramirez champions the youth, using his platform to inspire and uplift. Whether mentoring, hosting youth programs, or amplifying their voices, he’s dedicated to shaping a brighter future for Chicago. Adding a little sazón to everything he does, Gabe makes listeners feel connected to the heartbeat of the city.

Get energized and ready for this year’s and join us with Gabe Ramirez, a proud Puerto Rican born and raised in Chicago. Committed to uniting the city, Ramirez's dynamic personality resonates through the airwaves, capturing the essence of local events, neighborhood stories, and the vibrant spirit of the people.

Ramirez champions the youth, using his platform to inspire and uplift. Whether mentoring, hosting youth programs, or amplifying their voices, he’s dedicated to shaping a brighter future for Chicago. Adding a little sazón to everything he does, Gabe makes listeners feel connected to the heartbeat of the city.

We are thrilled to invite you to the grand opening of Sheila’s @ Douglass 18, a concession stand on the mini-golf course, on June 29th from 1 – 4 p.m.! 🎉

Founded by North Lawndale’s very own Sheila McNary–and supported by LISC and Mars Wrigley Foundation–this stand is more than just a place to grab a bite—it’s a community cornerstone. Enjoy delicious food, support local youth programming and celebrate a space dedicated to teaching young entrepreneurs valuable business and hospitality skills.

📅 Date: June 29, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Location: Douglass Park Cultural Community Center
⛳️ RSVP Today: https://bit.ly/3xlM1hG

We can’t wait to see you there! ⛳️🌭

Get energized and ready for this year’s with this playlist curated by DJ Lady D (Chicago), Chicago’s House Music Queen! Listen on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61I2HF5TCZjfwZqC3hsQyY?si=140fc82353194626

We love our partners who work hard to promote equity and help small businesses grow. Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program is helping succeed in the by connecting with free courses, mentorship and grants. Business owners who register can apply for a $10K grant for their business. It’s quick and easy to apply, so click the link below to sign up today!

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/?utm_source=lisc&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=digital-ready_local-office_chicago

Happy ! Today, we honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It's a day to celebrate freedom, recognize history, and reflect on building a more inclusive nation. Here's an example of how we can mobilize and achieve this in : https://bit.ly/3Rux7MP

Join us on June 29th in North Lawndale for the grand opening of Sheila's @ Douglass 18, a concession stand on the mini-golf course! ⛳🌭 Not only will Sheila’s bring delicious food to the mini golf course, but it will also be a teaching space for aspiring young entrepreneurs to learn hands-on business and hospitality industry skills. This space will bring community members together and provide tasty concessions–and this grand opening is just the beginning. We are proud to be a part of Sheila’s journey alongside the Mars Wrigley Foundation.

📅 Date: June 29, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Location: Douglass Park Cultural Community Center

Sign up for the grand opening at the link below! We’ll see you there ⛳️

https://bit.ly/3xlM1hG

Congratulations to Channing R.N. Lenert for receiving a Chicago Defender 2024 Men of Excellence Award! Channing serves on various philanthropic committees citywide, including LISC's Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards Jury. We are proud to work with Channing and the Polk Bros. Foundation, and we look forward to celebrating at the CNDAs later this month.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to grow your network? Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program offers digital strategies for success, networking opportunities and a chance to apply for a $10K grant. Learn more and apply for the Verizon Small Business program with the link in our bio.

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/?utm_source=lisc&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=digital-ready_local-office_chicago

With the Updated CRA in Limbo, What Comes Next? | Local Initiatives Support Corporation LISC’s Matt Josephs takes a look at the long-awaited modernization of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), calling it

Calling all small business owners and entrepreneurs! LISC wants to help you grow your business and network with Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program. Learn about the program and how to apply for a $10K grant at the link below.

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/?utm_source=lisc&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=digital-ready_local-office_chicago

Meet changemakers in Creative Placemaking & Placekeeping 🏡

We are proud to have Lauren Lewis on our LISC Chicago team! As the Program Officer of the Neighborhood Network Lauren is helping us to achieve our goal of creating socially and economically vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods, with living wage jobs, local businesses, good schools, quality housing, reliable transportation and other needed amenities. A champion and advocate for Creative Placekeeping, Lauren works hard every day for Chicago’s communities and we cannot thank her enough! 🏡🏙️

From Housing to Economic Mobility: Inside LISC’s Strategies for Change with CEO Michael T. Pugh | Local Initiatives Support Corporation In a wide-ranging interview with Denver Fredericks, host of the Business of Giving podcast, LISC CEO Michael T. Pugh describes the pillars of LISC's work investing in communities and what's on the horizon for the CDFI under his leadership.

Meet changemakers in Creative Placemaking & Placekeeping 🏡
Anne Vela-Wagner is the Executive Director of Mars Wrigley Foundation, one of LISC Chicago’s generous supporters! LISC was one of the first partners in the Mars Wrigley Foundation Community Connection grant program led by Anne, who is passionate about corporate philanthropy and how it can strengthen LISC’s connection to Chicago communities. The first grantees, Tina, Alexie, Omar, Sheila and Andrea, are up and running, creating functional environments, curating virtual artistic experiences, building community-driven concession stands and even launching their own creative placemaking initiatives. 🏙️

(The Foundation strives to provide essential oral health education and care, improve lives in mint- and cocoa-growing regions, reduce litter and waste, and create vibrant communities. Anne is always helping to create happier and healthier smiles around the world! 😊)

Want to transform local football/multi-use fields? The 2023 NFL Foundation Grassroots Program offers non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to upgrade fields. Learn more at the link below! 🌟🏈

https://bit.ly/3qkjnqG