State Farm is expanding its relationship with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) with new funding to boost economic opportunity in underserved communities, especially those significantly impacted by the pandemic.
With a new $2 million grant, State Farm is supporting LISC programs that fuel financial stability for families, businesses, affordable housing and better health and safety, all contributing to local economies, according to a press release.
The grant will be deployed throughout 2022 to support LISC’s national community development strategies and specific programs in 12 metro areas: Phoenix, Atlanta, Bay Area, Central Illinois, Chicago, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Philadelphia, Houston and Puget Sound.
“For 100 years, State Farm has been a good neighbor in communities across the country,” said Apsara Sorensen, director of public affairs for State Farm. “A part of our philanthropic mission is to build safer, stronger communities. With that, we are thrilled to continue our support of LISC and its holistic approach to developing and revitalizing communities.”
Programs are tailored to the needs of individual communities and include such priorities as:
• Financial opportunity centers, which provide a range of integrated services for workers, from job training and placement to financial coaching, income support and connections to local employers in growth industries.
• Commercial corridor revitalization to support small businesses, quality jobs and dynamic, community-based commerce.
• Affordable housing strategies that expand access to affordable homes and address racial barriers in the development process.
• Community safety programs focused on violence intervention while also sharing safety data and best practices that benefit the field of community development more broadly.
“State Farm has been helping LISC fuel strong communities of opportunity for more than 20 years,” noted LISC CEO Lisa Glover. “Especially now, as we work with local partners to promote a robust, equitable recovery from COVID-19, these are critical resources that will help families earn more, help businesses grow more and help communities build a broadly shared prosperity where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”