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FROM THE DIRECTOR
AUGUST 2016

Each of us cares about the future of our country and understands that the advancement of economic justice and racial equity is necessary to increase opportunity and prosperity and eliminate the systemic barriers that sustain our current racial, ethnic and gender wealth gaps.  
 
All of us are impacted, as well, by the recent violence in our country, the unjustified shootings in the past month of police officers, the high profile string of shootings of black men over the past two years by law enforcement, and the increasingly violent rhetoric against communities of color.  Solutions require us to listen to one another, appreciate the impact of our Nation's history, and acknowledge the underlying truths raised by the advocacy of Black Lives Matter.  The role of philanthropy has and continues to lead the way.
 
Regardless of personal position or your institution's role in your community, it is clear that racial and ethnic wealth inequality is intertwined with the over-incarceration of black men, the poor education afforded to children of color and those living in rural areas, the history of discrimination in the North and the South to marginalize communities of color (Black, Native American, Latinos, Asian American and Muslim), and the legacy of slavery that included Federal and state legal barriers to opportunity and wealth building.
 
At AFN, we believe that failing to acknowledge this complicated past and its continued manifestations will subvert our sector's efforts to address both the root causes and to introduce products and practices necessary to reframe our nation's path to justice that embodies opportunity and prosperity for every worker, child, family and retiree regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
 
It is a valuable reminder that in 1968, we faced a national crisis with similar overtones and, at times, seemed like madness. On the night Dr. Martin Luther King died from an assassin's bullet, Bobby Kennedy, in Indianapolis two months before he, too, was assassinated, offered the following, "What we need in the United States is not division.  What we need is not hatred. What we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness but is love and wisdom and compassion toward one another - and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer in our country, whether they be white or whether they be black."
 
It was the right path then and remains the right path today. Despite growing income inequality and wealth inequality, there has been progress made on many fronts.  Philanthropy will continue to set the tone for   communities. In order to meet this vision, we must provide opportunities that redress the harmful impacts of past policies that hamper the economic and asset-building opportunities of too many in our communities.
 
This month, we alert you to a soon-to-be-released AFN Spotlight issue brief focusing on practical, visionary and effective approaches that develop the entrepreneurial capacity for persons reentry from prison into community.  It is a Spotlight on innovations led by our sector with a call to action for more funders to invest in these approaches that not only increase opportunity and the economy but help narrow the racial wealth gap.  Together at AFN and your institution, if we are intentional in understanding and addressing the root causes of economic inequality, philanthropy will be a driving force in righting the wrongs of the past and building a moral and practical pathway towards our future. I applaud you for your leadership and ask you to ask others to join us on this journey.   
   






Joseph A. AntolĂ­n 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ASSET FUNDERS NETWORK

AFN SPOTLIGHT
Prison to Proprietor: Entrepreneurship as a Re-entry Strategy
 
Stay tuned for the AFN's upcoming new Spotlight on business ownership as a re-entry strategy for the formerly incarcerated to help narrow the racial wealth gap.  This brief examines how connecting individuals integrating back into the community to business
ownership and entrepreneurship can provide a second chance at opportunity. 

By analyzing research findings and several programs that currently serve individuals returning to community, this paper discusses why grantmakers, particularly asset funders concerned
with issues of racial equity, should take a closer look at these initiatives while also providing 
recommendations for action.

In the meantime, check out The Washington Post's One Year Out about 46 individuals whose  prison sentence was commuted last year by President Obama and what their lives look like now.
 
 

AFN 2017 CONFERENCE & UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE
 

Mark your calendar for the Asset Funders Network 2017 Grantmaker Conference, May 2-4, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

AFN's unique funders-only conference brings together a diverse group of national, regional and community-based funders concerned about a common goal - providing individuals, families and communities with greater economic security and opportunities for growth.

By providing the latest research, insights, evaluation and guidance, this conference brings unparalleled perspective as well as opportunities to learn from each other and foster new partnerships.
AFN's Children's Savings Account (CSA) Launches Resource Page 

We are pleased to announce that AFN's Children's Savings Account webpage is now live, o ffering news on new and mature CSA projects, relevant research, CSA events, and profiles of funders, projects, and people.  
 
Share the link with your colleagues and partners.  Contact:  Anne Yeoman,  Children's Savings Accounts Project Manager, a nne@assetfunders.org

CLICK HERE to learn more.
Arkansas AFN Launched

Launched in 2016 as a regional affiliate of the national Asset Funders Network, Arkansas AFN, the first of its kind in the state, is supporting the community of funders invested in asset-building activities in the region; strengthening the field by fostering connections between grantmakers and their peers in the nonprofit, public, and private sector; and working to increase investment in the field, over the long term.

The Arkansas AFN Steering Committee:

Elizabeth Brister, Dan Baw, and Susan Dalton
ENTERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Laura Duty
CARL B. AND FLORENCE E. KING FOUNDATION

Regan Gruber Moffitt
WINTHROP ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

Karama Neal
SOUTHERN BANCORP COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Andrew Pack
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ST. LOUIS, LITTLE ROCK BRANCH (affiliate partner)

CLICK HERE to learn more.
Central Indiana AFN presents Two Generation Strategies | a Learning Forum

Tuesday, August 16, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN

Join your colleagues in philanthropy for an engaging discussion of two-generation approaches as a means to increase economic security for low-income families in the region.  To learn more, c ontact: Jobi Cates, jobi@assetfunders.org.

EVENT SPEAKER:

University of Texas at  Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs &  Ray Marshall Center

PANEL:

Central Indiana Community Foundation

Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc.

OpportunINDY

Jobi Cates Facilitator
Asset Funders Network

WHERE:
Lumina Foundation Convening Center
30 S. Meridian Street, Suite 700 | Indianapolis, IN 46204

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 9:30am to 1:00pm central
 

North Texas AFN presents  The Education/Assets Connection:  Going Beyond the Data 

Thursday, August 25, 2016 | Fort Worth, TX

Join us August 25th for coffee and conversation with Alfreda Norman, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and special guest Anthony Poore, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to discuss the intersections between education and financial security.

What does the data tell us about the links between educational attainment, aspiration, and family financial security?  How are the education and asset-building fields working together to support families and create better outcomes?  How can we better collaborate and innovate?
 
We will hear from Anthony Poore, Deputy Director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston through an interview by Alfreda Norman, Senior Vice President at The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas who will discuss evidence, effects, and opportunities linking asset building to education interventions and attainment.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Funders, nonprofits, and policy makers interested in the connections between family economic security and educational success and attainment.

WHERE:
Lena Pope Amon Carter Center
3200 Sanguinet Street
Fort Worth, TX
 
WHEN:
Thursday, August 25 2016, 8:30am-10:30am

 

Little Rock: Building More Financially Prosperous Arkansans Through Savings & Education
 
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 | Little Rock, AR

You are invited to a funder-to-funder discussion to explore  the critical role of education and savings in increasing the economic security of Arkansans.
 
Research demonstrates that education and savings are critical to helping Arkansans grow, protect, and build assets. Join us for a funder only exchange to personally meet lead researchers focused on the connections between education and savings. This event offers a first opportunity to engage with the newly formed Arkansas Asset Funders Network - a network focused on advancing economic opportunity and prosperity for low and moderate income Arkansans through philanthropy.
 
The AR AFN Funder Exchange will immediately follow the pre-event, For What It's Worth: Building More Financial Prosperous Arkansans through Savings and Education, co-hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis/Little Rock and AR Asset Funders Network*.   The pre-event begins at 12:00 pm, and the Funders Exchange will begin at 2:30 pm.   To learn more, c ontact: Abby Hughes Holsclaw, abby@assetfunders.org 

EVENT SPEAKERS:

New York University

Center for Household Financial Stability, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis


WHERE:
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis/Little Rock Branch |  111 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

WHEN:
Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm central.
*Registering for the Funders Exchange will automatically register you for the pre-event.
 


Bay Area AFN presents Consumer  Engagement

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 | San Francisco, CA


Join us for a conversation with leading experts and practitioners who will introduce and describe consumer engagement as an effective strategy to move consumers to desire the very tools and services that will help them build financial assets, skills and confidence. 

The discussion will include sharing an actionable framework, showcasing diverse examples from the field, and highlighting tangible recommendations for financial empowerment funders.   The panel discussion will be followed by a funder-only conversation in which specific, actionable suggestions for grantmaking, and broader discussion about how funders can support organizations focus on a consumer engagement approach.   To learn more, c ontact Mona Masri, mona@assetfunders.org 

SPEAKERS:

United Way of the Bay Area

PANEL:
Doorways to Dreams Fund (D2D)

Self-Help Federal Credit Union

Consumer Financial Resources
 

WHERE:  
United Way of the Bay Area
550 Kearny St #1000, San Francisco, CA 94108
 
WHEN: 
Wednesday, September 14th,  2:00pm - 4:00pm, f ollowed by a funder-only portion from 3:15pm - 4:00pm.


AFN WEBINAR: 
Prison to Proprietor
Microenterprise Strategies for the Formerly Incarcerated

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 | Online Event


We invite you to join Asset Funders Network and experts from FIELD at the Aspen Institute for a national webinar highlighting the release of Prison to Proprietor, a forthcoming AFN Strategy Spotlight examining microenterprise strategies for the formerly incarcerated.

The webinar will showcase findings and examples from the new AFN Strategy Spotlight and offer funders the opportunity to discuss how connecting individuals integrating back into the community to business ownership and entrepreneurship can provide a second chance at opportunity. 

The authors will highlight research findings and several programs that serve former offenders while underscoring why grantmakers, particularly asset funders concerned with issues of racial equity, should take a closer look at these initiatives and act on the Spotlight's key recommendations. 

SPEAKERS: 
 
FIELD at the Aspen Insitute 
 
FIELD at the Aspen Institute

Asset Funders Network (moderator)

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 12:00pm-1:00pm eastern 


AFN GRANTMAKER WEBINAR: 
Assets and Alternatives: Payday Lending Reform

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 | Online Event


Earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed small-dollar and payday loan regulations. The proposed regulations significantly rein in predatory lenders, but there is far more work to be done to enable innovation toward safe, affordable, accessible, and mobility-enhancing small dollar loans.  

This is a moment where there is opportunity to impact significant reform. Regardless of how it plays out, it is unlikely that it will be satisfying to all stakeholders or sufficient to address the needs of the people who are using payday loans.

Grantmakers, join us September 7, 2016 for Assets and Alternatives: Payday Lending Reform. This presentation will examine the proposed legislation, who is using payday loans and small-dollar loan alternatives, and why the demand for them is so consistent. We will explore the role philanthropy is playing both on the policy level and how funders can support innovation in product and program development. 

Note - Grantmaker registration requests will be approved.

SPEAKERS: 
 

Urban Institute

Ford Foundation

Asset Funders Network (moderator)

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 7, 2016, 12:00pm-1:00pm eastern 



IN THE NEWS

In Powerful Display of Economic Solidarity,
Thousands Pledge to #BankBlack and #ShopBlack

In the aftermath of the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, African-Americans across the country have taken to the streets to demand justice for the slain men. While organized protests are one way to enact change, some Black Americans are opting to use their money instead - specifically by keeping it in their pockets.

Boycotts of various big name corporations have since begun, as Black folk work to put more of their money back into Black-owned businesses. One Atlanta bank in particular is already feeling the positive effects of this new effort.

Citizens Trust Bank, a Black-owned financial institution, is experiencing a surge in business, as over 8,000 new customers have opened accounts in the last five days, Black Main Street reports. That's nearly $800,000, assuming that customers didn't deposit more than $100 into their new accounts.



A Brief History of America's Middle Class

"The middle class is disappearing" has been a standard line during this election cycle. As it turns out, it's not wrong.

Last year was the first recorded year that middle-income families no longer made up the majority in America, according to the Pew Research Center. What this actually means economically is a mixed bag, but "middle class" in the U.S. has historically stood for something less concrete: the American dream.

Between now and the election, NPR's All Things Considered will be looking at what it means to be middle class in America today.

CLICK HERE to see a brief timeline of how the concept and foundation of the American middle class has shifted over the past century.


NARROWING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP

Unstacking the Deck for African-American Entrepreneurs

A new  CFED report  confirms that the deck is stacked against African-American entrepreneurs, long before they even begin their businesses. Although most entrepreneurs rely on personal savings and net worth to launch their enterprises, the 2016 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard reveals that these avenues aren't always an option for Black business owners: the median net worth of white households in the US ($110,637) is more than 13 times that of African-American households ($7,113).

This severe imbalance has dramatic repercussions for African-American entrepreneurs when it comes to absorbing losses typical of young businesses and weathering financial risk down the road. 

Economic Security for Black and Hispanic Families
 
One of the biggest concerns for millions of working parents across the United States is their families' economic security. Many black and Hispanic families face an even more challenging path to financial stability and economic prosperity, as they typically face lower median incomes and higher poverty and unemployment rates.
 
Progressive policies-such as paid family and medical leave; paid sick days; increased access to high-quality, affordable child care; and fair wages-would help offer them that opportunity. Unfortunately, many policies fail to substantively address the challenges that families of color face. Through obstructionism, poor policy proposals, and program cuts, many policies create additional hurdles for black and Hispanic families.
 
Center for American Progress' new report examines the challenges these families face, as well as the gap between conservative rhetoric and the economic realities of black and Hispanic working families.
 
 
DOWNLOAD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  

WEALTH INEQUALITY

Fixing Inequality of Opportunity
 
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the tepid recovery that has followed, concern about economic inequality has moved into the mainstream of political discussion. Recent research has also fueled concerns about how high and rising income inequality drives an inequality of opportunity for subsequent generations.
 
In what has been dubbed the "Great Gatsby Curve" (or the "Line to Serfdom"), economist Miles Corak found that countries with higher income inequality at a given point in time tend to have lower economic mobility between generations. In a separate set of studies, a team of economists from Harvard and the University of California at Berkeley found that, in the United States, metropolitan areas with smaller middle classes and higher income segregation were associated with lower economic mobility between generations. For families at the bottom of the economic ladder, this immobility could put the American Dream out of reach permanently.
 

CAREERS

Director of Property Rights Initiative

New America seeks a director for a new initiative devoted to the study of, and advocacy for, property rights. 

The individual we seek will already have substantial experience in the field of property rights, as a global development professional, civil servant, journalist, or academic. He or she will also be a strong, clear writer and editor, with a desire not only to advance the state of property rights research, but also to parse such research for a non-specialist audience, in the United States and around the world. The successful candidate will also have a good understanding of the impact of new technologies on property rights, which will be a particular focus of the initiative.



Small Business Outreach Manager

Small Business Majority is seeking a full-time Small Business Outreach Manager based in the greater Denver metro area to manage their on-the-ground work in Colorado.  
This position will help develop and implement strategies to conduct outreach to small business owners, organizations and other small business advocates.


RETIREMENT SAVING SOLUTIONS FOR LOW-WAGE WORKERS

Grants Available to Develop Portable 
Retirement Savings for Low-Wage Workers

In an important step forward to help workers - especially low-wage workers - adapt to the changing nature of America's workplace, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced last week the availability of approximately $100,000 in funding through the new Portable Retirement Benefits Planning grant program.

Administered by the department's Women's Bureau, the program seeks to assist those workers who have traditionally lacked access to an employer-provided retirement benefits program (including independent contractors) or are otherwise less likely to have income from pensions or assets. Changing work arrangements in the high- and low-tech sectors place a greater importance on need for millions of workers - whether they are employees or independent contractors - to be able to take benefits from job to job to ensure greater retirement security.

DOL will award two to four grants between $25,000 and $75,000 each to nonprofit organizations. The grants are intended to help such organizations develop certain program planning activities needed to initiate development of portable retirement benefits programs for their stakeholders or target populations. Such activities must involve assessing the challenges and barriers unique to low-wage workers with little to no retirement savings, researching opportunities to expand or build new portable retirement vehicles, or identifying associated legal constraints that would need to be addressed before implementing these types of programs.

LEARN MORE 

EVENTS IN THE FIELD

August 2, 2016
Becoming Bilingual in Immigration & Workforce:
What Philanthropic Leaders Need to Know

Fast-moving policy developments are reshaping the landscape for both workforce development and immigration issues. Join Workforce Matters and Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) for a webinar that will provide a practical grounding in key aspects of both fields from a philanthropic perspective. Understand how new federal and state policies are influencing the prospects of immigrant workers-both documented and undocumented-and how changing demographics are affecting workforce initiatives, including those without an explicit immigration focus.

The conversation will outline the immigration implications of current workforce policy issues such as implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and pending reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

Examples will be shared of how philanthropic leaders have put these possibilities into practice in their communities. There will be ample time for discussion, so bring your questions and ideas!



August 16, 2016
Central Indiana AFN presents 
Two Generation Strategies | a Learning Forum
Indianapolis, IN

Join your colleagues in philanthropy for an engaging discussion of two-generation approaches as a means to increase economic security for low-income families in the region.  



August 16, 2016
Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers
Corporate Philanthropy Affinity Group | Measuring & Evaluating CSR: Confessions from the field

Join your corporate giving colleagues for this open discussion on what's working and what's not in the evaluation space. Walk away with tips, tricks, and tools that you can use immediately.



September 13, 2016
Little Rock AFN presents Building More Financially Prosperous Arkansans Through Savings And Education Funders Exchange
Little Rock, AR

Join us for a funder-to-funder discussion about the critical role of education and savings in increasing the economic security of Arkansans.
 
This event offers a first opportunity to engage with the newly formed Arkansas Asset Funders Network - a network focused on advancing economic opportunity and prosperity for low and moderate income Arkansans through philanthropy. 

 

September 13, 2016
Philanthropy Northwest Annual Conference, Under One Sky
Missoula, MT

In celebration of PN's 40th anniversary, this conference will be the culmination of a year of reflecting, celebrating and inspiring of all the work accomplished together.  The theme, Under One Sky Under One Sky, is a reminder that whether from urban to rural, philanthropist remain connected by a greater purpose: the shared commitment to advancing philanthropy to support vibrant, equitable and inclusive communities.

In addition to pre-conference site visits, workshops and other learning opportunities, a highlight of the conference is the evening under the stars at the Grant Creek Ranch hosted by the Washington family.



September 14, 2016
Bay Area AFN presents Consumer Engagement
San Francisco, CA

Join us for a conversation with leading experts and practitioners who will introduce and describe consumer engagement as an effective strategy to move consumers to desire the very tools and services that will help them build financial assets, skills and confidence. 
 
The discussion will include sharing an actionable framework, showcasing diverse examples from the field, and highlighting tangible recommendations for financial empowerment funders.  The panel discussion will be followed by a funder-only conversation in which specific, actionable suggestions for grantmaking, and broader discussion about how funders can support organizations focus on a consumer engagement approach.  



September 28-30, 2017
Assets Learning Conference 2016
Washington, DC

CFED's Assets Learning Conference (ALC) brings together 1,300+ professionals dedicated to creating an opportunity economy in the United States. This event addresses the entire range of moments that affect an individual's or family's financial well-being.  Sessions are offered on savings for adults and children, entrepreneurship and self-employment, homeownership, strategies to close the racial wealth divide, the integration of financial capability services and more.



September 29, 2016
A Funder to Funder Conversation on Maximizing the Golden Triangle: Savings, the EITC & Financial Coaching 
Washington, DC

Mark your calendar and join the EITC Funders Network and the Asset Funders Network on Thursday, September 29th at CFED's  2016 Assets Learning Conference (ALC) in Washington, DC for a unique funders-only opportunity to explore the intentional linkages between savings, the EITC, and financial coaching.   



October 9-11, 2016
Innovation Conference
San Francisco, CA

Technology is changing how we live, work and play.  The Innovation Conference will bring together philanthropists, private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations and CSR professionals to explore how emerging technologies can be used for social good.

Join Silicon Valley Community Foundation in uncovering how technology is transforming the areas of education, health, jobs and the economy, and big data - and how the philanthropic community can play a role.



October 27-29, 2016
Philanthropy Southwest's 68th Annual Conference
Colorado Springs, CO

The Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference draws several hundred attendees each year. Registration is open to trustees and staff of grantmaking organizations and provides the opportunity to connect with fellow philanthropists located or making investments in the Southwestern United States.
 
LEARN MORE


November 16-17, 2016
2016 Post-Election Briefing
Washington, DC

Assessing the new policy and funding environment that will be created after the 2016 elections will be critical as we build compelling and successful agendas for advancing our work to support low-income families, workers and communities.  Please mark your calendars for this free, invitation-only funders briefing on the national and state elections.  Join GIST (Grantmakers Income Security Taskforce) for interactive sessions on:
  • Election outcomes and what it suggests in terms of opportunities and challenges facing families and communities across the nation;
  • Understanding 2016 American electorate (who voted and why);
  • Implications of the elections for effective communications and messaging;
  • Roundtable discussions on what this means for our work; and
  • Reflections on opportunities for individual and collective action in philanthropy.


May 2-4, 2017
SAVE THE DATE
Asset Funder Network 2017 Grantmaker Conference
Indianapolis, IN

Mark your calendar for the Asset Funders Network 2017 Grantmaker Conference, May 2-4, 2017, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

AFN's unique funders conference brings together a diverse group of national, regional and community-based funders concerned about a common goal - providing individuals, families and communities with greater economic security and opportunities for growth.



RECORED WEBINAR
Government Spending Priorities: Shaping the Conversation

The recording GIST's webinar earlier this month on shaping the conversation on government spending priorities is now available. This recorded webinar shares results from several new research studies focused on connecting federal budget issues to the American public. Communications experts explore key findings and connections on new communications approaches that build support for increasing revenue and tax reform, reducing Pentagon spending, and mitigating the influence of money in politics.


 

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