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Resources / Publications: Selected IDA and Asset-Building Resources and Publications |
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The number and variety of asset-building approaches, including Individual Development Accounts, is expanding at a rapid pace. Also expanding is the research in the field, leading to burgeoning development of information on effective practices. Following are a few sources for research, program models, and other strategies related to asset building. These lists are representative, not exhaustive. Many of these sites themselves have links to additional resources and continually add new information. Several also support ListServs and mailing lists to which you may subscribe to keep up with changes in the field. Note: Most of these sites set cookies, and a few require registration (free) to access information and documents. The lists are organized by the following categories:
- General IDA and Asset Building
- Building IDA Networks
- Federal Government Web Sites
- Developing Program Outcomes
- Financial Education and Asset Goals
General IDA And Asset Building
AssetBuilding.org
A project of the New America Foundation, this Web site includes a comprehensive source of information on asset-building initiatives, policy developments, research projects, and data sources. IDAs are included among the topics here.
Center for Social Development Washington University, St. Louis
All evaluation reports developed by the Center for Social Development for the American Dream Demonstration (the first national study of the effectiveness of IDAs) are available for downloading from this Web site. These reports, as well as the other links to subsequent CSI research and publications from other sources, provide great insights into the challenges and opportunities of IDAs. CSI also hosts the annual conference on state IDA policies and published the IDA State Policy Guide: Advancing Public Policies in Support of Individual Development Accounts.
Corporation for Enterprise Development
The administrator of the IDA network Web site, CFED also provides many other resources, such as the IDA Program Design Handbook, and access to the IDA Network ListServ. Publications cover subfields such as youth IDAs; an annual State-by-State report card on asset building; a searchable database of IDA programs around the country; and Assets, A Quarterly Update for Innovators, which reports on key news in IDAs and asset building policy.
First Nations Development Institute
FNDI has supported the development of IDA initiatives in Native American communities and offers research and reports for download on its Web site, as well as a financial education model designed for American Indian families.
Asset-Building Institute
The Asset-Building Institute offers a continually expanding menu of training for IDA and asset-building practitioners. The Assets Alliance, a cooperative membership organization of experts in the field, offers the institute as one tool for achieving its mission to expand the number of families who benefit from IDAs and asset-building opportunities. The training targets primarily practitioners with emerging and existing IDA programs and includes introductory and advanced topics and tracks. In addition, the Assets Alliance offers access to experts on a wide range of IDA and asset-building topics for those seeking specialized technical assistance, as well as white papers on a variety of topics in the field.
Institute on Assets and Social Policy The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University
This Web site links to publications, tools, and information about asset building and IDAs provided by the institute.
Institute for Social and Economic Development
ISED offers diverse resources for IDA programs nationwide, including a variety of useful tools in developing IDAs.
World Institute on Disability
WID has supported development of IDAs for people with disabilities and offers research and reports on asset development for this population. Asking About Disability: A Guide for Individual Development Account (IDA) Administrators and other publications can be downloaded from the Web site, where you can also subscribe to an electronic newsletter.
Building IDA Network Projects
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, now operating under the name Fieldstone Alliance, is a nonprofit human services organization serving primarily the greater St. Paul, Minn., area. The Web site offers two portals: publishing and consulting. To find documents and templates for program design and implementation, choose the publishing option. Offerings include several excellent handbooks on building collaborations. Collaboration: What Makes It Work: A Review of Literature on Factors Influencing Successful Collaboration (1992) and Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining and Enjoying the Journey (1994) are just two examples. There are also many helpful papers on board development. Some publications are free for download; others must be ordered.
The IDA Collaboratives Toolkit
The Assets for All Alliance carried out a case study to identify techniques for developing IDA collaboratives, known as "network projects," on the basis of its experience in San Francisco. With the support of a grant from the Ford Foundation, the Alliance developed a toolkit available for use by the entire IDA field and offered at the IDA network Web site (listed above). For more information about the Assets for All Alliance, see the Web site of the Center for Venture Philanthropy .
Michigan IDA Partnership
midap, a statewide IDA network project and an AFI grantee, has placed on the Web key information regarding the structure and operation of its initiative for use by the broader field. The site offers valuable information regarding program operations, partnership agreements, and overall program flow charts, as well as templates for a number of IDA functions.
Federal Government Web Sites
Assets for Independence
This is the Web site for the Federal AFI program, which administers Assets for Independence grants. Located here are resources for applicants and grantees, reports on AFI outcomes, and other resources for the IDA field. From here, you can subscribe to the AFI ListServ and download the AFI funding opportunity announcement and the legislation governing AFI.
Community Development Block Grant
This Web site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, gives an overview of the CDBG program, currently the only Federal funding source eligible to serve as the nonfederal match for AFI grants. The information also indicates a number of ways in which AFI and CDBG may coordinate and support home purchase by AFI participants. Other HUD resources for home ownership and community economic development are accessible from this site as well.
Community Services Block Grant
This Web site provides information on the CSBG program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families. The site also gives a listing of local community action agencies in your area. Many CAAs are also AFI grantees. While CSBG funds may not be used to as nonfederal match to AFI awards, there are many opportunities for complementary activities between AFI and CSBG-supported programs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
This Web site supplies information on the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the TANF program. In some circumstances, states have used TANF funding to support their own IDA programs, parallel to or outside AFI projects. TANF-eligible individuals are automatically eligible for AFI participation. TANF eligibility rules vary somewhat from state to state. This site provides links to state directors and regulations.
Developing Program Outcomes
ROMA Web Site
Results Oriented Management and Accountability, or ROMA, is a performance-based initiative designed to provide a results-oriented framework and measurement tools for local agencies receiving Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds. The Web site offers tools and resources for implementing ROMA, as well as publications and reports and technical assistance information.
United Way of America
The United Way of America has pioneered the development of tools and resources to support effective outcomes development for nonprofit programs and services. This Web site serves a network of United Way organizations using outcome measurement in their initiatives. Many reports, as well as training and planning documents for developing and implementing outcomes measurement, can be downloaded from the site at no charge.
Financial Education And Asset Goals
Association for Enterprise Opportunity
A membership association of microenterprise development organizations, AEO offers training, resources, and links to microenterprise development activities across the country. A number of AFI Projects participate in AEO activities and use its tools and other resources. The annual conference, described on the Web site, includes sessions on IDAs and other asset-building approaches.
College Is Possible
An initiative of the American Council on Education, this Web site provides resources and tools for planning for a college education for young people and adults alike.
Fannie Mae Foundation
The Fannie Mae Foundation offers numerous resources to support affordable housing financing and availability in diverse communities, including provision of free publications and resources on the home-purchase process. Information on complementary initiatives of the Fannie Mae Corporation can be found at their Web site .
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
FDIC created Money Smart, a training program to help adults who are outside the financial mainstream develop their financial skills and ability to work with traditional financial institutions. Curriculum materials for instructors and students are available on the Web site, along with other information on working with "unbanked" families.
Financial Education Clearinghouse at The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE)
NEFE's Web site includes a clearinghouse of financial education curricula that have been evaluated by NEFE staff and experts for accuracy of information, suitability for target audience, and numerous key criteria. Many of the curricula and materials included in the clearinghouse can be downloaded free or purchased for a nominal fee from the sponsoring organizations. NEFE offers other resources and support for financial education, making it a valuable reference for AFI Projects.
JUMP$TART Coalition for Youth
Jump$tart maintains a financial education clearinghouse with links to materials suitable for children and youth, from kindergarten through high school. The site includes a database searchable by keyword.
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
NCRC offers training and free curriculum materials for organizations interested in offering financial education. NCRC's training guides are offered in both English and Spanish. Information on how to access its curriculum is available on its Web site.
NeighborWorks Training Institute
Part of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the NeighborWorks Training Institute offers training to nonprofit organizations in how to develop and deliver homeownership training and counseling programs. Numerous resources are listed on its Web site to assist in supporting homeownership in your community.
Pathways to Prosperity
Pathways to Prosperity is a financial education curriculum that was developed especially for IDA programs seeking to integrate financial education into their agenda. Developed out of a partnership between cfed and nefe, the curriculum can be found at the IDA network Web site. There is a $50 fee to cover the cost of shipping a facilitator's manual and participant handbooks.