Every Step Forward, We Owe to You

Every Step Forward, We Owe to You

Woman at work, in welder attire, smiling. Text says: May the holiday season and New Year propel us further toward opportunity.

2021. It’s been another year of challenge, hard work and resilience. May the holiday season and New Year propel us further toward peace, well-being, equity, opportunity, and prosperity for all. [+]

Meet the Women Who Lead LISC!

We’re excited to share that Denise Scott – a national voice for community development and racial equity – is our new president! She joins interim CEO Lisa Glover to lead LISC and our work with community leaders throughout the country.

After 18 moths of COVID-19 and racial injustice that challenged our country like never before, LISC's new leadership team is prepared to lead LISC and the communities we serve into a more equitable future. [+]

There’s still time to join LISC in writing the next chapter of our collective future. Consider LISC in your year-end giving.

2021 showed us once again how important equitable access and investment in community development is to taking care of one another and to creating opportunities to build wealth. Your generosity and drive support everything we do: from furthering transit-oriented affordable housing and BIPOC-owned small business development to implementing the use of green technologies and providing effective, accelerated access to training for quality jobs.

Through the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, those who donate $1000 or more may qualify for a 50% refundable tax credit.

We have opportunities for you to support all of our initiatives in communities across the Commonwealth. Donate today. Also, LISC has made it easy to check to see if your employer matches charitable contributions made by employees. Search here to see if your company will match your gift.

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New Funding will Support Workforce Development and Financial Stability Programs

LISC Boston has been selected to receive a $25,000.00 grant towards the Bridges to Culinary and Hospitality Careers program from the 2021 Financial Wellness - Lincoln Financial Foundation. Housed in the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment, this grant will support approximately two more cohorts of participants on their path to good paying jobs and financial stability.

The Lincoln Financial Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Lincoln Financial Group. The Lincoln Financial Foundation focuses on building stronger communities through nonprofit partnerships in financial wellness, education, and human services, with the long-term goal of helping people build secure financial futures for themselves and their families.

LISC Moves the Needle on Jobs and Poverty with Financial Opportunity Centers

As part of their CDFI Futures series, Next City dove into the impact of LISC Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs), which are now in 26 states. The FOC & Bridges models combine job placement, financial coaching and support to improve individuals’ long-term economic prospects. [+]

Safe Credit Building Credit Card & Loans Available
for Boston Residents

Did you know the Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment with Boston Builds Credit offers a FREE, safe credit-building credit card for Boston residents? Learn more about it here [+].

Thank you, judges: Natalia Lima of Citizens, Larry Andrews of Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, Colleen Fonseca of the Builders of Color Coalition, Dan Rivera of MassDevelopment, and Carlos Matos of the Chelsea Business Foundation. Sponsored by Citizens & hosted in partnership with BECMA.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Massachusetts District Office honored the MA Equitable PPP Access Initiative Members and Supporters with the District Director Award for the "tremendous accomplishments with helping so many small businesses with their PPP applications and obtaining funding and access” at its Annual Meeting and Lending Awards on December 10th.

The award, presented by Bob Nelson, Massachusetts, SBA District Director for MA, and Mike Vlacich, New England SBA Regional Administrator, was accepted on behalf of the coalition by Malia Lazu, Founder of Urban Labs and member of the Coalition for an Equitable Economy Steering Committee. [+]

Practitioners' Guide: Building Organizational Capabilities in Service of Equitable and Inclusive Small Business Ecosystems

Many entrepreneurs in underinvested communities face structural barriers that make it difficult to start, sustain, and scale their business. How can communities and states create equitable small business ecosystems? LISC & Next Street's practitioner guide will show you how [+]

The Coalition for an Equitable Economy is hiring a Coalition Director

The Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE) is hiring, accepting applications for a CEE Director. The Director will serve in a leadership role with multifaceted work with Coalition leadership and key stakeholders to support the Coalition's approach to develop and advance a vision and strategy for an equitable and inclusive small business ecosystem in Massachusetts. [+]

Verizon Digital Ready's Ask the Experts Events for You + A Chance to Win $10K for Your Business

Verizon's Small Business Digital Ready Ask the Expert events are interactive sessions connecting small businesses with industry leaders across a range of topics. Sign up for Digital Ready for free today and join one or all of the events happening this month. [+]

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready delivers online learning designed to give small business owners like you the tools you need to succeed. Through a range of courses, live coaching events and one-to-one coaching sessions, Verizon Digital Ready will help you get the best out of your small business. As part of the Live Learning program, all Verizon Small Business Digital Ready members have access to a range of Ask the Experts events to help support their business needs.

ICYMI: Now Announcing the Winners of the 6th Annual Local Founders Stage Pitch Competition

Flyer for the Pitch Competition. Woman looks at her phone. Winners photos and prizes listed below. Thank You to judges.

In Case You Missed It: Congratulations to our small business participants and winners.

Growth Stage Winners (Correction): 1st Place- CathWear, LLC of Lawrence & 2nd Place- Offbeet Compost of Lowell.

Early Stage Winners: 1st Place and Audience Choice- Eagle Hill Cafe of East Boston & 2nd Place- The Hub of Springfield. [+]

Report Showcases Innovative Small Business Support Initiative in Massachusetts

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Small Business Strong has provided nearly 1,900 small businesses with free advice and support. With the 2021 Impact Report, you can read all about the continued success of the program. [+]

LISC is the Program Manager for Small Business Strong, a non-profit organization that provides expedited, pro-bono support for women and entrepreneurs of color navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.

Sign up for LISC's Small Business Newsletter for Massachusetts

Join our new, local mailing list exclusively for small business news, featuring resources for entrepreneurs and business support organizations in Massachusetts. Subscribe here [+]

Generosity & Drive

We cannot say it enough: Thank you to each of our incredible funders and supporters. [+]

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

With this listing of thoughtful and outstanding holiday gift guides, there’s no reason you can’t shop small this holiday season to support BIPOC, women-and veteran-owned businesses in Massachusetts. This is your chance to show your support for these entrepreneurs and shops featured. You may even see an item or two that you decide to share with others or add to your own wish list! [+]