Duluth LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)

Congrats to Local Advisory Committee member Christopher Henagin on being one of Duluth's 20 under 40 for 2026!!

Christopher is an amazing asset to the Duluth community and we are thrilled to be able to work with him.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/20-under-40-awards-meet-the-class-of-2026

Christopher Henagin 38 / Northland Small Business Development Center What do you do professionally?

Exciting news! LISC has teamed up with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation to kick off a new funding round for the Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative! Nonprofits nationwide are eligible to apply for grants of up to $100K to build or renovate sports facilities for youth in low-to-moderate income communities. Learn more and apply by August 15: https://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/sports-recreation/game-on/

The seats for the Nonprofits Unite Summit are filling, and the program schedule is now live!

We’re officially in that window where if this event is on your radar… now’s the time to register.

The day is designed to be a space to learn, share, and strengthen the sector together. It’s grounded in the belief that our communities are best served when nonprofits are connected, supported, and working in alignment.

🗓 May 11 | 10am - 3pm
📍 University of Wisconsin-Superior
🎟 $25 registration

Explore the full schedule + save your seat: https://nonprofitsunitesummit.org/

We are proud to bring this together alongside our co-sponsors:
McKnight Foundation Duluth LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Ordean Foundation Lloyd K Johnson Foundation University of Wisconsin Superior

Executive Director, Sumair Sheikh, shares how LISC Duluth is showing up in uncertain times.

10 Questions with Sumair Sheikh: Showing Up When It Matters Most | Local Initiatives Support Corporation As Duluth communities continue to recover from recent disruption, LISC Duluth’s Sumair Sheikh shares how staying close to partners, coordinating resources, and investing in long-term systems is helping move communities from crisis response to lasting resilience.

Nonprofits across Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are facing many of the same challenges workforce strain, leadership transitions, growing community needs, and increasing complexity.

What if we tackled those challenges together?

The Nonprofits Unite Summit is a regional gathering designed to bring nonprofit leaders together for meaningful learning, authentic connection, and coordinated action across our region.

📅 May 11, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Yellowjacket Union at UW–Superior

Together we’ll explore practical strategies around:
• Shared services and collaboration
• Organizational transitions and leadership change
• Staff well-being and resilience

When individual organizations are strong, our entire community is stronger.

Join nonprofit leaders from across the region as we strengthen our sector together.

🎟 Registration: $25 (lunch included)
Parking is free and scholarships are available.

👉 Register now: https://dsacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?event_date_id=3343&edt_id=2848

Right now, our communities need commitment, care, and action. Read this statement from LISC President, Michael T. Pugh, on why standing with our communities matters in moments like this.

In Moments Like This, We Must Show Up | Local Initiatives Support Corporation The buildup of federal law enforcement and military personnel that we are witnessing in Minnesota and in other communities across the country is as...

Former YWCA building now operated by Divine Konnections The YWCA had provided services to the community for more than 20 years. Now, a new organization is taking over, but the mission is still the same.

Happy we are able to partner and support Family Rise Together's work to strengthen our entrepreneur ecosystem. Our office has been working to provide financial (both grants and a loan) and organizational capacity so FRT has the necessary tools to continue to serve our community.

Excited for what's to come with this space!

Sunshine Cafe gets new life as training space for entrepreneurs - Perfect Duluth Day Miss Portia’s & Mr. Miles’ Legacy Diner will replace the former Sunshine Cafe, serving as a food-service industry small-business incubator.