Latest News

2018 Facade Grant Applications Now Open

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The Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Program is a component of FOCUS that provides matching grants to property owners willing to renovate the street-front exteriors of their structures. These improvements could include new signage, windows, painting, and/or structural or design changes. This is a rebate program where business and property owners receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the cost of the project in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for completed work. The goal is to build long-lasting relationships that connect neighborhoods with businesses and new resources to revitalize urban markets. To apply, please fill out the 2018 Small … Continued

Nov. 17 Development on Tap focused on partnering for neighborhood workforce development

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On Nov. 17, more than 75 attendees heard from Angie Carr-Klitzsch (CEO of EmployIndy), Tedd Grain (Deputy Director of LISC Indianapolis) and Michelle Beer (Director of Financial Stability at United Way of Central Indiana) at Development on Tap. The discussion focused on EmployIndy’s new strategic plan and partnership for neighborhood workforce development. Employers throughout Greater Indianapolis are experiencing growth, and, with growth, comes the promise of more jobs. Yet, many of these jobs require skills that some residents in our urban neighborhoods do not possess. EmployIndy, LISC Indianapolis and United Way of Central Indiana seek to bridge this skills gap to connect … Continued

Two Bridges to Career Opportunities Centers Selected for Great Families 2020 Grant

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Great Families 2020 is a five-year initiative to improve family stability for vulnerable children and their parents living in four neighborhoods in Indianapolis. The initiative is modeled from the promising practice of the “Two Generation” approach, where neighborhood networks in education, financial stability and health services are integrated to serve the whole family. Two of the First Round Grant Recipients are also part of the Bridges to Career Opportunities program that is overseen by LISC Indianapolis to help low-income workers build the skills necessary to earn a living wage. Edna Martin Christian Center will serve 100 adults and 100 children through … Continued

Near West Community Outreach Event

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On June 8th, Source River West was able to participate in the IMPD SW District Community Day Collaboration. This year’s occasion was the 26th anniversary of the Indianapolis Police Department’s commitment to the Haughville neighborhood and the event was held in the Haughville Park. At the event participants enjoyed free food, a petting zoo, clowns, police department specialty vehicles, face painting, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Vendors, businesses, and organizations came prepared to hand out “freebies” and list of upcoming events to the members of the community as everyone enjoyed the fun of being together as a community. This … Continued

Source River West Hosts Successful Open House

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In May, the Near West side of Indianapolis welcomed Source River West to the neighborhood. Source River West is an initiative started by the River West Great Place initiative, founded by IUPUI. Source’s mission is to be a hub for entrepreneurs interested in developing businesses in the area west of White River, particularly reviving the once thriving, Michigan Street. Source River West’s open house was on May 23rd, 2017 at the office, 2230 W Michigan Street. The event was a major success and had a great turn out. It allowed for members of the community to network and become familiar … Continued

2017 Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Grants

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The 2017 Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Program is a component of FOCUS that provides matching grants to property owners willing to renovate the street-front exteriors of their structures. These improvements could include new signage, windows, painting, and/or structural or design changes. This is a rebate program where business and property owners receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the cost of the project in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for completed work. The goal is to build long-lasting relationships that connect neighborhoods with businesses and new resources to revitalize urban markets. To apply, call LISC’s direct line … Continued

LISC National CEO Discusses 2016’s Record Investments and Impact

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LISC National CEO Discusses 2016’s Record Investments and Impact After reflecting on 2016, Maurice Jones, LISC CEO, lays out the year’s record investments and impact in the hundreds of neighborhoods where LISC works. And in this season of football playoffs and New Year’s resolutions, he reaffirms LISC’s ongoing commitment to bringing its A-game to revitalizing communities. Read the full message

International Marketplace Welcomes New Restaurants

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International Marketplace Welcomes New Restaurants International Marketplace, a 12-block corridor near Lafayette Square, will use $750,000 from a district tax credit to help spur growth in the area. The International Marketplace is expecting four new restaurants to open in the first quarter of 2017. This growth is part of a three-year, $2.8 million development agreement between LISC Indianapolis and the City’s Department of Metropolitan Development that focuses on providing real estate expertise, finance and development, as well as the capacity building of the International Marketplace Coalition as a Community Development Corporation.

‘Bridges to Career Opportunities’ Provides Education, Job Skills

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‘Bridges to Career Opportunities’ Provides Education, Job Skills In 2017, LISC will fund four Centers participating in “Bridges to Career Opportunities” - an initiative combining adult basic education with job skills training for low-wage workers. This is the second year of funding for the program. Grants totaling $570,000 will support training services for 262 people in fields ranging from health and hospitality to logistics and manufacturing. How can I get involved? The Centers welcome volunteers from these sectors to speak with trainees about job opportunities and career pathways.

National Equity Fund Turns 30

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National Equity Fund Turns 30 In 1987, LISC formed National Equity Fund. Since then, NEF has played a key role in revitalizing communities and empowering individuals. Today the program supports 90 percent of all affordable rental housing developments as well as generating more than 140,000 jobs annually. NEF has created 156,000 units of affordable housing and provided $144 million in grants to LISC that has been used to invest back in communities across the country. Indianapolis projects that have used NEF Funds:

SEND Hiring Community Coordinator for Twin Aire Neighborhood

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Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. (SEND), in its role as lead agency for the Great Places 2020 planning process in the Twin Aire neighborhood, seeks to hire a community coordinator. If interested, please submit cover letter and resume electronically to Paul Smith at [email protected]. Please include your salary requirements, expressed on a per hour basis, in your cover letter. Deadline for applications is January 20, 2017. Please click here for the full job description.

Successful Development on Tap Speaks to Gentrification in Indy

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Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Development on Tap. The event, Gentrification in Indy with national housing expert Alan Mallach’s findings on changes in neighborhood incomes and housing values in Indianapolis, was well-attended and appreciated. “Indianapolis is a great city, with strong institutions, valuable assets, and healthy job and population growth. While some parts of Indianapolis are seeing rising incomes, house values and similar indicators, however, the data shows that substantially more parts of the city are seeing decline in these same indicators than are seeing growth. The city has been losing ground in important respects, experiencing weak … Continued

State Farm Neighborhood Assist- Be the Catalyst for Positive Change in your Community

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Have you ever wanted to help your community with a problem but didn’t know where to start? Maybe it’s a run-down park or to help the impoverished in your community. Now, YOU have the power to fix it. State Farm Neighborhood Assist wants to help identify and address key issues faced by consumers throughout the United States. State Farm Neighborhood Assist, a crowd-sourced philanthropic initiative, lets communities determine where grant funding is awarded. The application is short and simple, and can be found by visiting www.neighborhoodassist.com. You, or someone you know, could be the catalyst for positive change to your … Continued

Great Places 2020: Request for Letters of Interest

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LISC Indianapolis is asking Indianapolis neighborhood partners to submit a letter of interest for consideration by Sept. 30. The program is designed with a focus on effective placemaking and a vision for neighborhoods. Criteria for place selection is outlined on the Great Places 2020 website and includes the presence of a Quality of Life Plan, existing market activity, willing anchor institutions, nearby waterways or greenspaces, walkability and more. Once selected, each new Great Place will receive several months of planning assistance to create a detailed redevelopment plan for their target area. Please click here to download the Request for Letters … Continued