Local Initiatives Support Corp Empowers Youth with Foot Locker Partnership
1 | Mar 26, 2025 | Local Initiatives Support Corp

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), in collaboration with the Foot Locker Foundation, has announced grants totaling over $1.2 million to 14 community organizations across 11 cities in the United States. These grants, ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, aim to support programs providing mentorship, education, career development, and health services for more than 10,000 youths in low-income areas. This year marks the fourth round of funding as part of the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which has distributed nearly $5.2 million to date. The initiatives include diverse projects, such as a youth boxing program in Chicago, the Becoming a Man and Working on Womanhood programs in Dallas, and the development of new basketball courts in Detroit. Foot Locker emphasizes its commitment to building lasting relationships with nonprofits through its LEED initiative, involving employee volunteerism to enhance these community projects. The program, celebrated by LISC President and CEO Michael Pugh, links young people to opportunities through trusted and innovative providers. The fifth round of funding applications opens in May 2025.
Sectors
- Philanthropy and Nonprofit
- Retail
- Community Development
Geography
- United States – The grants and activities are focused on benefiting youth in various cities across the United States.
- New York – Both Foot Locker and LISC have headquarters in New York, emphasizing the article's relevance to this location.
Industry
- Philanthropy and Nonprofit – The article centers on Foot Locker and LISC's efforts to fund community organizations, characterizing it as philanthropic work.
- Retail – Foot Locker, a key participant, operates in the retail industry, highlighting their involvement in social responsibility initiatives.
- Community Development – LISC is involved in community development, focusing on empowering youth and building local partnerships through its grants.
Financials
- $1.2 million – Total amount of grants distributed by the Foot Locker Foundation and LISC in the latest funding round.
- $5.2 million – Total funding distributed by the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program since inception.
- $60,000 to $100,000 – Range of individual grants provided to various community organizations.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) | Collaborator and Grant Administrator | Company | LISC is one of the largest community development organizations in the United States, focused on forging resilient communities. |
Foot Locker Foundation | Funder and Partner | Company | Part of Foot Locker, Inc., this foundation focuses on community empowerment and social responsibility initiatives. |
Giovanna Cipriano | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Foot Locker, Inc. | Person | She speaks on the company's commitment to community investments through the partnership. |
Michael Pugh | President and CEO of LISC | Person | He highlights the impact of empowered communities through innovative programs sponsored by the grants. |
Beverly Smith | Vice President of LISC | Person | Acknowledges the positive impact of investments in youth and communities facilitated by Foot Locker. |