Stay Informed!

Promise Neighborhoods Resource Center

Welcome to CFED’s Promise Neighborhoods Resource Center – a source of information and tools for Promise Neighborhoods applicants wishing to incorporate savings and financial education into their Promise Neighborhoods programs. On this page, you will find an array of free resources, including information on:

• Program Design and Savings Accounts
• Financial Education
• Case Studies
• Research

Promise Neighborhoods Webinar Presentation (PDF)
Promise Neighborhoods Webinar Recording (media file)
(You need a codec to view the recording. To install, please visit gotomeeting.com.)

Have questions about how to design your savings/financial education program?

Send specific questions to Leigh Tivol at ltivol@cfed.org.

CFED is also available on a contract basis to provide ongoing support and technical assistance to your Promise Neighborhoods program. For more information on our services, please contact Leigh Tivol at ltivol@cfed.org.

Questions about Promise Neighborhoods? Contact Erika Bernabei at Erika@policylink.org

Program Design and Savings Accounts

From Piggy Banks to Prosperity: A Guide to Implementing Children's Savings Accounts: A comprehensive handbook for practitioners and other organizations interested in launching a children's savings account initiative.

Account vehicle options: An excerpt from From Piggy Banks to Prosperity on different account vehicle considerations, including the pros and cons for each.

Bank On Initiative: learn about starting or becoming a part of a local program to help serve unbanked and underbanked populations.

FDIC Safe Accounts Pilot: The pilot is a case study designed to evaluate the feasibility of financial institutions offering safe, low-cost transactional and savings accounts that are responsive to the needs of underserved consumers.

The FDIC Model Safe Accounts Template describes features of electronic deposit accounts that are designed to meet the need of underserved and LMI consumers.  Pilot banks will be strongly encouraged to market the products to those groups.

AFI Resource Center: Information on the Assets for Independence (AFI) program and Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).

CFED IDA program directory: the IDA Directory allows you to search for IDA programs in your area.

Financial Education

National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) financial literacy curriculum:These organizations have made available an interactive website aimed at providing information on financial literacy to youth. 

Money$mart for young adults: A comprehensive financial education curriculum to teach those ages 12-20 the basics of handling their money and finances (FDIC).

MyMoney.gov - Youth Section: Resources, curriculum and tips for children, teens and young adults.

Jump$tart national financial education standards: Jump$tart's national standards for K-12 financial education.

Jump$tart financial education clearinghouse: Comprehensive database of available financial education materials and curriculum, searchable by content and price.

NEFE resources for educators: Practical resources and materials specially created for financial education educators and facilitators.

NCUA's Financial Education and Financial Literacy Initiative: A grant opportunity through NCUA to help low-income credit unions provide financial services to their members and to make the operations of those credit unions more efficient (grant application period closes May 20).

Case Studies

Kindergarten to College (KtoC) summary: San Francisco's Kindergarten to College initiative will open a Children's Savings Account with an opening deposit of $50 for all children entering kindergarten in the City's public schools.

Partnership for College Completion (PCC) summary: a multi-faceted effort by UNCF (United Negro College Fund), KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) and CFED that aims to ensure that students matriculate to and graduate from college in increasing numbers by addressing key educational and financial barriers.

Savings for Education, Entrepreneurship and Downpayment (SEED) Community Partner Profiles: SEED was a multi-year project that developed, tested, and implemented matched savings accounts and financial education for more than 1,300 children and youth in 12 communities across the country. This document outlines the distinctive program designs, accomplishments and challenges for each of the 12 sites.

Research

Closing the Gap in Higher Education: Connecting Asset Building and College Success: This CFED report focuses on the connection between children's savings and college completion.

College Success and College Savings Plan Innovations: A Summary of Research: A summary of recent research and findings from the Center for Social Development relating asset building and college success.

General Links

National Credit Union Administration, Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives (credit unions)
Email - oscuimail@ncua.gov
Phone - 703-518-6610
Website - http://www.ncua.gov/About/Org/ocud.aspx

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Phone - 877-ASKFDIC (877-275-3342)
Website - http://www.fdic.gov/