The Direct Community Investments (DCI) Department partners with government and private entities and individuals to rapidly deploy financial assistance to vulnerable families and small businesses. The department was born out of local governments and philanthropists needing assistance deploying public Cares Act and other public and private funds as quickly as possible to meet immediate and pressing needs brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In 2023, DCI reached the milestone of disbursing over $100 million in funding to over 4,000 small business owners, renters, and homeowners in collaboration with local government entities in Washington, DC and Maryland. The DCI team works with government funders and private philanthropists/entities in the design of efficient applications that minimize applicant burden; custom software that allows for the collection and processing of applications and live, continually updated reporting; and the rapid transfer of funds to grant recipients within short time horizons.

The funds administered by the DCI team also cut across fields of expertise and include funds with a focus on housing, health, and small business and nonprofit operations.
Government and philanthropic entities interested in learning more and/or partnering with LEDC can contact us here.