TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
Houston LISC offers a wide range of technical assistance and capacity-building resources to local nonprofit organizations as they launch and grow initiatives. We help make tackling new types of programs and projects easier by offering national models and resources. We support organizations as they leverage funding opportunities, navigate complex housing regulations, develop comprehensive housing strategies, strengthen organizational practices, and increase their ability to serve as an effective neighborhood partner.
SMALL GRANTS
Houston LISC offers small grant opportunities to support community-led projects, activities and campaigns. The small grants aim to seed community building and improve quality of life. Grants are for $500-$5000 and support projects that develop civic engagement, community relationship building, and improve quality of life. Applications for these grants are typically accepted in the first quarter of the year until April 15th or until funding has been depleted.
SCHOLARSHIPS
LISC provides scholarships for community-based organizations staff and neighborhood leaders to attend relevant comprehensive community development conferences that explore issues in housing, social determinants of health, economic development, transit and transportation, and the environment.
Previous conferences have included the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute and Railvolution.
Reach out to Patricia Carr at pcarr@lisc.org to ask about current scholarship opportunities.
DATA PROJECTS
Data Projects serve as a community capacity building and technical assistance tool. LISC, in partnership with consultants, provides communities and organizations support to create a responsive data support program that focuses on the analysis of data and implementation of community priorities. Data support includes access to neighborhood-specific maps, community profile sheets, review sessions, residents leaders and knowledge experts, using their questions, and strategic planning meetings to examine existing community plans to explore solutions to communities’ issues using data.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Our Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Offerings include: targeted trainings for community-based organizations, peer-to-peer networking opportunities, project related technical assistance for affordable housing, community facilities and commercial developments, technical assistance for community engagement and strategy development, and human capital through access to AmeriCorps.
Link to the local Capacity Building & TA page.
GO Neighborhood partners can join Knowledge Exchange and Peer-to-Peer networking through our monthly roundtables. If you are a community based-organization and want to participate in our roundtables.
FOC
Located in neighborhoods across Houston, Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) are career and personal financial service centers that help low- to moderate-income people build smart money habits and focus on their personal financial bottom line through three core services: Employment and career planning assistance, Financial education and coaching, Screening for public benefit eligibility.
LENDING
Houston LISC offers a wide range of loans and equity investments that help bring affordable housing, better schools, business and other commercial development to urban neighborhoods. Lending is an essential instrument in LISC’s community development toolkit. As one of the largest community development financial institutions (CDFI) in the nation, we work in partnership with local grassroots groups, for-profit developers and government agencies to finance programs and projects that will have a positive, long-term impact. If your organization is looking for community development financing contact LISC Houston’s lender here.