Assets for Independence Grant

Posted by on April 14, 2006

Top Three Reasons to Apply for an Assets for Independence Grant and Start an Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

1) Your organization?s mission is to help low-income families become economically self-sufficient for the long-term by purchasing a home, gaining skills for career success, or creating a small business. 2) Your organization serves people who currently have low-incomes — incomes below 200% of Federal poverty (up to $40,000 for a family of four). 3) Your organization is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, state, local or Tribal government agency, Community Development Financial Institution, or Low Income Credit Union. Did you answer ?YES?? If so, you will want to discover the Assets for Independence program (AFI) and learn how your agency can tap in and make it a resource for achieving its mission and goals.

Here are three quick first steps for moving forward right away! Step 1. Decide to apply for an Assets for Independence grant this year. Application requests up to $1,000,000 are being accepted through June 15, 2006. The Office of Community Services (OCS), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is now accepting grant applications for the Assets for Independence Program. Applications received by June 15, 2006 will be reviewed and funding selections announced by September 2006. Step 2. Get Your FREE AFI Project Builder, a step-by-step guide to developing an IDA effort for your client families. Within minutes you’ll be using the AFI Project Builder techniques and strategies to help design your program meet application guidelines. Download the AFI Project Builder, federal program announcement and related forms from the AFI web site <a href="http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding">http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding</a>. Step 3. Get Answers to Your Questions. The AFI Resource Center provides training and technical assistance to AFI programs. Information is available online at <a href="http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding">http://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding</a>, email afiprogram@acf.hhs.gov or call (202) 401-4626 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern) include your name, organization, mailing address, and request. The Center is managed by the Office of Community Services (OCS), with contract support from leading organizations in the asset-building industry.