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How it Works

What is the vision?

The American Dream Match Funds bring together working families saving for their futures with individual donors and everyday philanthropists, high performing matched savings/economic independence programs, corporations, financial institutions and policymakers. In addition to providing funds directly to thousands of savers, the Match Funds stand to reach millions through policy advocacy.

The American Dream Match Funds are being built locally and online. Each is slightly different and suited to the sponsoring community. And yet, as they emerge, beginning in the San Francisco Bay Area, they are creating a national marketplace, marketing effort, funding stream, field voice and impact. The American Dream Match Funds build on a proven economic independence strategy – matched savings accounts – by leveraging the resources and resourcefulness of every sector, including most fundamentally, the dreams, work, savings and potential of working families and tripling the contributions of donors.

For a few thousand dollars you can create the opportunity for a hard-working, low-wage family to realize their American Dream and break the cycle of poverty for generations.

How does it work?

1. They Save...For the things that matter most.

Hard-working individuals save for life-changing goals such as higher education, homeownership or starting a small business. These savers enroll in matched savings programs, administered by local nonprofit organizations that provide financial education and help low-income savers to budget and set financial goals.

2. You Match…To help them reach their goal.

We use the support of caring people like you to leverage the savings of low-wage workers. Each dollar you donate is matched with funds from the nonprofit partner organization or foundation and is held in trust for the saver until the individual’s savings goal is met.

• Donating less than $2,000? Visit the SaveTogether website where you can find a saver and donate $1 or more to help them realize their dreams.
• Want to help in Silicon Valley or San Francisco? Contact Us.
• Want to help elsewhere? Keep checking this website for new, forthcoming funds. 100% of your donation supports low-income, working families (in a fashion similar to employer matches for retirement accounts) to pay exclusively for education, homeownership or small business entrepreneurship—assets that are essential to stability or a living wage job.

3. Together, We Invest…And multiply the impact.

When a saver has reached his or her goal the savings and matching funds are transferred for the purchase of an asset (e.g. transferred to a university for tuition).

Who are the Savers?

American Dream Match Funds identifies and partners with leading nonprofit organizations that offer matching savings accounts for low-wage workers and their children. These nonprofit partners carefully screen and select savers by requiring detailed applications, interviews and submission of financial documents to demonstrate commitment to and qualification for the program.

Who Administers American Dream Match Funds?

American Dream Match Funds is a project of Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), a nonprofit organization and leader in economic development that collaborates with national, regional, and local partners to alleviate poverty and build a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

How Can I Get Involved?

There are two primary ways in which you can help:

1. You can contribute to one of the funds featured on the homepage. 100% of your contribution will be used to match the savings of low-income savers and deliver quality financial education.
2. You can lend your voice and support policy efforts that can open economic opportunity for millions of additional hard-working, low-wage Americans. Click Here to lend your voice.

I’d like to know more, please.

For more information about matched savings, please click here.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.