Innovative Changes receives $290,000 grant to help more Oregonians achieve financial self-sufficiency
July 20, 2011
Congratulations to the team at Innovative Change$ (IC), which this week received a $290,000 grant from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), a federal program that funds worthy programs to help low-income people become financially stable and self-sufficient.
Making Change Matter is the umbrella term for IC's portfolio of seminars, workshops, and classes, which provide Oregonians with tools and education to manage household financial needs - comprehensive financial coaching, help with credit building and repairing, information on responsible small-dollar consumer loans, and more.
“Many of the people we serve are currently using predatory payday loans because they have no other options. They have no personal savings, affordable credit or family safety net to weather economic challenges. Any unexpected expense or income loss can result in a downward spiral for them,” said Sarah Chenven, Innovative Changes’ Executive Director.
The CDFI Fund award will enable Innovative Change$ to expand geographically and to increase its technological capacity, allowing them to serve even more households across Oregon.