The Local Initiatives Support Corporation Connecticut is getting an investment boost from financial giant JPMorgan Chase to help seven Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led community development organizations in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury.
The $300,000 investment will help launch capacity-building projects like technology upgrades, staff professional development and communications or volunteer engagement strategies.
In Hartford, LISC Connecticut will launch programs in partnership with the Blue Hills Civic Association, San Juan Center and the Urban League of Greater Hartford.
New Haven-based Beulah Land Development Corp. and Greater Dwight Development Corp., along with Bridgeport’s NewBuilding Neighborhoods Together group and NHS of Waterbury are also part of the program.
LISC Connecticut will provide subgrants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, depending on the scope of projects and need. These funds will provide support for staff salaries, consultant services, and technology and software upgrades to help grow an organization’s infrastructure and expand services. LISC is one of three national administrators for the program.
The investment will help “ensure BIPOC-led community development corporations can best meet the community development needs of the people and neighborhoods they serve.”
JPMorgan officials said this is the first-of-its-kind investment for the Beulah and Greater Dwight groups, and kicks off a multi-year effort to address the most pressing needs of Connecticut residents in the areas of housing, workforce, education and basic needs.
Each organization will also receive pre-application support to apply for the US Housing and Urban Development Section 4 Capacity Building grant.
Dr. William Clark, Principal of Eli Patrick & Co., will also provide each CDC’s chief executive officer with executive leadership coaching.
LISC officials said nonprofit organizations often face challenges in funding such projects, “which ensure they can most effectively serve the community and deliver on their mission.”
