Agency Description: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy ones – good places to live, do business, work and raise families. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs.

Project Description: LISC wished to improve their Minneapolis and Saint Paul Funds for Neighborhood Development programs. The purpose of the two funds was to build organizational capacity through operating grants, technical assistance, and other LISC program initiatives and tools. Since 1999, a total of 19 Community Development Corporations (CDC) and collaborating neighborhood organizations were funded between the two funds.

ACET services: ACET provided program evaluation services to LISC in regard to the efficacy of its Minneapolis and Saint Paul Funds for Neighborhood Development programs. The ACET evaluation team examined how LISC funds impacted participating CDC’s capacity and initiatives. ACET reviewed data collected from LISC to address the following questions: are CDC’s (1) improving financial capacity; and (2) increasing production of affordable housing and economic / commercial development? 

To see completed report, view: http://www.lisc.org/files/820_file_asset_upload_file56_7519.pdf (see PDF Pages 30-49)

Date of Service: 2002-2004