The Community Development Financial Institution industry and the overall field of community economic development have undergone drastic changes in capital sources in recent years, and most emphatically, this year. In this time of increased demand for financial products and services, community developers find themselves with fewer resources with which to accomplish more work.

On November 2nd, at the Four First Friday’s discussion of the Asset Building Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, we will host the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, (LISC LA) in presenting the first of several upcoming sessions in a series on “Resources for Community Development from Community Development Lenders”.

Leading this first session will be Claudia Lima, executive director of LISC LA, and Tina Brooks, executive vice president for programs at National LISC. They will provide an update on the resources available for community and economic development projects. Audience interaction and participation is welcome.

LISC delivers its services through a two-pronged approach; grants, loans and equity for affordable housing, charter schools and other types of community facilities; and a small business loan program where recent outcomes include the launch of several initiatives that address economic vitality.