Asset Building
For five decades, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs have provided high-quality filing assistance to LMI families completely free of charge.
Community Financial Resources was the first nonprofit to offer a general purpose reloadable prepaid debit card at VITA sites. Our Focus Card ensures people can take advantage of the safety and convenience of direct deposit for their refund. This is the first step toward building safety-net savings. Today we train VITA sites on how to connect clients to additional asset-building services.
VITA has been instrumental at putting more money back into the pockets of workers, their families, and communities. VITA helps families claim tax benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the biggest and most effective poverty alleviation programs in the US.
Special Projects
Community Financial Resources lends its expertise to city agencies, nonprofits, and financial institutions with the goal of developing solutions for financial inclusion.
We’ve worked on special projects such as the SF Municipal Bank Task Force, developing small-dollar installment loan programs for CDFIs, advising organizations on cost-effective payment strategies, and researching & developing white papers.
Bringing a mix of deep experience in financial product development and consumer advocacy, we provide high-quality financial tools and and services, best practices, and lessons learned that change lives and promote an inclusive economy.
Building the Field
To address needed systemic and structural changes to promote economic justice, we’re involved with a number of coalitions and advocacy groups dedicated to increasing the income and building the assets of low-income families and individuals.
