Publications
CFED Publications
Savings and Financial Security
While homelessness has been a “persistent and enduring feature in American history,”1 the recent economic downturn is producing a new face of those at risk of homelessness and a growing sense of vulnerability among many Americans.
Early childhood is critical to a child’s cognitive, behavioral and social development, as well as his or her lifelong economic prospects. Recent research has shown that cognitive aptitude and ability are established early
In this report, CFED investigates whether parents act as good stewards of their Children's Savings Accounts.
This report provides 20 examples of positive steps federal government agencies and Congress can take to help constituents – more and more of whom are facing financial insecurity – weather a bad economy.
In this report, CFED investigates the sustainability of Bank On programs from the perspective of the financial institution.
This short brief provides an overview of research on assets and their effect on financial stability and economic opportunity.
Entrepreneurship
This brief is a step-by-step guide for the microenterprise and asset-building fields to use in advocating for their states to offer new expansions of the federal Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) Program.
Sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Sam’s Club Giving Program, this white paper makes a series of arguments regarding why the IRS should expand the limited scope of its current Schedule C Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Pilot to the entire VITA system.
Sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation, this brief provides an in-depth look at the value entrepreneurs contribute to the American economy, describes the impetus for the Self-Employment Tax Initiative and promotes successful, creative models for service delivery that SETI has supported over the years.
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.
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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