LISC Indy Seeks Next ‘Great Places’

LISC Indianapolis plans to reveal the next two neighborhoods in November.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation Indianapolis is looking for two additions to its Great Places program. The selected neighborhoods will receive planning assistance to create a redevelopment plan and funding for early implementation efforts.

Interested neighborhoods must submit a letter to LISC Indianapolis by September 30. The organization will announce the additional neighborhoods in November.

In 2014, LISC Indianapolis revealed the first three Great Places neighborhoods: East Washington & Oxford, 38th & Illinois and West Michigan & King. The organization expects total investment in the five neighborhoods next year to top $20 million. That includes support from the United Way of Central Indiana’s recently-announced Great Families 2020 initiative.

The United Way effort has received major funding in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the organization received a $7 million grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, which will go to groups throughout the region working to increase family stability in high-poverty neighborhoods.

Also this month, outgoing Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) Chief Executive Officer John Lechleiter and his wife Sarah announced a $5 million gift to United Way of Central Indiana, which will be matched by the Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation. Much of that funding will support the expansion of high-quality early education centers in central Indiana.