Case Study: Local Initiatives Support Corporation achieves dramatic participant financial gains and program growth with Bonterra Apricot

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - Customer Case Study

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) supports neighborhood revitalization through its Financial Opportunity Centers (FOC), which provide employment services, financial coaching and benefits navigation. As the FOC network scaled—from 4 sites in 2005 to 66 sites and from 4,000 to 22,000 participants by 2012—LISC needed reliable, real-time outcomes data to measure impact on net income, net worth and credit scores, demonstrate effectiveness to funders (including Social Innovation Fund matching requirements), and continuously improve program delivery.

LISC implemented Social Solutions’ Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) software with standardized tools (budget templates, balance sheets, credit assessments and Project Match–based tracking) to capture client-level results, identify gaps (42% of clients were unscored) and launch targeted interventions like LISC Twin Accounts for credit building. The data-driven approach produced dramatic gains—during the first eight months of 2012 vs. 2011: 99% more participants saw increased net income, 183% saw higher credit scores and 488% saw increased net worth—helping LISC secure funding, scale the FOC network and strengthen its position as a leader in financial empowerment.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Ricki Lowitz

Director of Economic Opportunities