Publications
CFED Publications
Savings and Financial Security
2012 Assets & Opportunity: A Portrait of Financial Insecurity and Policies to Rebuild Prosperity in America
CFED and Bank of the West are pleased to share a Financial Education Guide designed specifically for taxpayers receiving assistance at VITA programs. This free, easy-to-read guide (available in English and Spanish) walks clients through some important things to consider when they receive their refunds to help them make the most of the money they expect to receive.
In a weak economy, with high unemployment and shrinking services, constituents are hungry for some “good news” about what policymakers are doing to improve constituents’ economic prospects. This report provides two dozen examples of positive steps government can take to help constituents – more and more of whom are facing financial insecurity – weather a bad economy.
CFED highlights the work cities across the country are doing to educate, empower and protect residents in the financial marketplace. This report represents a comprehensive effort to document the range of municipal policies and programs that are being used to enhance the financial security of low-income families during a time of deep recession.
The 2009-2010 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard is a comprehensive look at wealth, poverty and the financial security of families. It assesses the 50 states and the District of Columbia on 92 outcome and policy measures, which describe how well residents are faring and what states can do to help residents build and protect assets.
Entrepreneurship
During the 2009 tax season, CFED’s Self-Employment Tax Initiative (SETI) funded 16 programs to provide free or low-cost self-employment tax preparation services coupled with other essential business products and services to low-income and emerging small businesses.
Native Entrepreneurship South Dakota’s Nine Reservations
This report examines common barriers to Native entrepreneurship in reservation communities, the entrepreneurial climate and small business development activity on each of the state’s nine reservations, and a range of recommendations for public and private institutions to consider in their efforts to expand access to capital and support services for Native entrepreneurs in reservation communities.
During the 2010 tax preparation season (tax year 2009), CFED's Self- Employment Tax Initiative (SETI) funded 15 local partners to provide free self-employment tax preparation and essential business products and services to low-income and emerging small businesses.
CFED conducts rigorous research, analyzes new ideas, tests programs and advocates for policies that will lead to a more inclusive economy. We are committed to helping people that traditionally have not been able to benefit from our economy.
Many of our publications are available online, free of charge. Others may be purchased.
CFED and the Northwest Area Foundation have released this report summarizing efforts to promote Native entrepreneurship in two reservation communities in South Dakota and those of an earlier, national report on Native Entrepreneurship.
Economic Development
CFED launched a Small Grants Program in 2006 designed to explore the linkages between SME strategies and poverty reduction. Four innovative strategies in four different countries were ultimately chosen to receive funding for the creation of case studies – guided by independent researchers and evaluators - that would document their theories of change, program components, and outcomes for poor individuals throughout the value chains of the SMEs they support.
CFED conducts rigorous research, analyzes new ideas, tests programs and advocates for policies that will lead to a more inclusive economy. We are committed to helping people that traditionally have not been able to benefit from our economy. Many of our publications are available online, free of charge. Others may be purchased.
The desktop reviews in this report encompass key questions, issues and challenges affecting the ability of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector to reduce poverty in both developing and mature economies. Please download "Desktop Study: Case Studies and Supporting Documents" for addition resources.
Greater transparency lies at the heart of good government. With fuller disclosure, lawmakers, courts, citizens, and the media can significantly improve their oversight of public policies and spur programs toward higher impact and cost-effectiveness.
What are the best ways to use development finance to spur regional economic development?
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