2030 Finance | April 17, 2019

LISC commits to SustainVC’s second impact-driven startup fund

Jessica Pothering
ImpactAlpha Editor

Jessica Pothering

ImpactAlpha, April 17 – Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is pulling capital from the treasury side of its business to back impact venture capital firm SustainVC. The 40-year-old community development financial institution is investing $1 million in Sustain VC’s second impact fund for social- and environmentally-driven startups.

LISC’s commitment to SustainVC is part of an initial $15 million strategy to align the organization’s investments with its organizational mission, which has made $20 billion in grants, loans and equity investments in underserved communities across the U.S.

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“We are utilizing capital traditionally associated with conventional financial instruments to invest in impact-focused funds that actively promote quality jobs, healthy communities and a strong financial return,” LISC’s Maurice Jones said.

SustainVC Impact Fund II has a target fundraising goal of $25 million, half of which will be invested in women- and minority-owned businesses. Its impact targets include reducing carbon emissions by 100 million pounds annually and supporting 1,000 jobs.