Asset Funders Network

Thanks to AFN member Texas Women's Foundation for sharing this report.

AFN members recognize the critical role Community Development Financial Institutions (#CDFIs) play in helping low- and middle-income households?and their communities?build assets and create wealth. By?knowing and being responsive to their communities, CDFIs provide affordable lending and services essential to equitable wealth building and economic mobility. That’s why all of us in the #assetbuilding community should be deeply concerned by the inclusion of the CDFI Fund in the White House's March 14th Executive Order on "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy." The CDFI Fund?is not part of the Federal Bureaucracy; the fund?has enjoyed bipartisan support for over 30 years?to expand economic prosperity. It needs to be continued. https://lnkd.in/geFr9xkK

Join AFN TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 18, 1-2pm ET for a new webinar, Climate Action & Economic Security: Integrating Climate Solutions into Your Asset-Funding Strategy. In this webinar, leading #funders will share strategies for integrating climate considerations across their portfolios through cross-sector partnerships and intersectional approaches. Examples include funding climate-resilient affordable housing, supporting CDFIs and community lenders offering affordable climate-friendly financial products, addressing health impacts of extreme weather, and advancing system changes in insurance, migration, energy, and finance – all while preserving economic security and building community wealth. Learn more and register now: https://loom.ly/XbjrEOw Wells Fargo Marin Community Foundation Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation

Our health, existing assets, and economic vitality are increasingly threatened, with mounting disasters and extreme conditions jeopardizing household financial security and widening wealth gaps. Ensuring both immediate and long-term community resilience demands urgent cross-sector action while advancing a just, clean energy transition. Historical inequities and underinvestment have left many communities without resources to implement #climatesolutions, making strategic philanthropic intervention critical. Join AFN on Tuesday, March 18, 1-2pm ET for a discussion on exploring ways #philanthropy can shape inclusive solutions at the intersection of climate and #economicsecurity. Learn more and register here: https://loom.ly/XbjrEOw

Women's History Month reminds us that women have come a long way, yet they still struggle with inequities-- especially women of color. #Philanthropy can help by funding programs and movements to break down the barriers. Check out AFN's library of briefs and webinars concerning Women's Issues: https://loom.ly/PQy0W9Q #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensIssues #Funders

AFN member AARP released new research showing that state-facilitated retirement programs have led to increased retirement plan adoption among small- and mid-sized firms. The findings suggest that these programs not only expand access through state options but also drive growth in privately provided plans, helping to close the retirement coverage gap. #RetirementPlan #AgeGap #Philanthropy #Funders

AFN would like to give a belated welcome to Julie Morita MD, President & CEO of AFN member The Joyce Foundation as of July 2024. As a native Chicagoan, Morita brings over 3 decades of valuable multi-sector leadership experience and is strategic, compassionate, and deeply committed to racial equity and economic mobility in the Great Lakes region. Read more: https://loom.ly/hIBfCdM

#Philanthropy has the power to reshape commercial real estate as a tool for building community wealth. By supporting innovative ownership models, funders can help ensure that economic growth benefits local residents and entrepreneurs. At a recent webinar hosted by The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program (FSP) and the Asset Funders Network (AFN), Wilson Lester, Jeff Mendelsohn, ???? Lyneir Richardson, and John Haines shared how inclusive ownership strategies are creating new pathways for wealth-building. The latest AFN Short Take explores how place-based #funders can play a key role in scaling these solutions, leveraging philanthropic capital to fuel equitable economic development and long-term community prosperity. Read more: https://loom.ly/EShBBnQ #CommercialRealEstate #EconomicEquity #CommunityWealth

Join AFN on Tuesday, March 18, 1-2pm ET for a new webinar, Climate Action & Economic Security: Integrating Climate Solutions into Your Asset-Funding Strategy. In this webinar, leading #funders will share strategies for integrating climate considerations across their portfolios through cross-sector partnerships and intersectional approaches. Examples include funding climate-resilient affordable housing, supporting #CDFIs and community lenders offering affordable climate-friendly financial products, addressing health impacts of extreme weather, and advancing system changes in insurance, migration, energy, and finance – all while preserving #economicsecurity and building community wealth. Learn more and register here: https://loom.ly/XbjrEOw Wells Fargo Marin Community Foundation Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation Lawrence Bowdish Patti D'Angelo Juachon Gail Latimore

Grant applications open for financial coaching services! AFN member Foundation for Financial Planning is accepting grant applications through April 30, 2025, from nonprofits that connect Certified Financial Planner? (CFP) professionals with people in need. Eligible programs must include one-on-one engagements between CFP? volunteers and pro bono clients, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. Learn More: https://loom.ly/3-f-oGk #Funders #FinancialPlanning #ProBono #Philanthropy