July 3, 2008

Asset Development

Fosters independence from welfare and charity in depressed communities by encouraging economic activities such as home ownership, matched savings programs, investment in education and microenterprise.

TASK FORCE GOALS FOR 2008

Support the economic empowerment of low-income people and their communities through “human sized” economic development strategies that foster local self-determination, build local economies, and provide individual asset development focusing on microenterprise development, individual development accounts, first time homeownership and earned income tax credits.

GOALS

Monitor legislation pertaining to tax credit changes that could impact the Family Development Account (FDA) Tax Credits legislation; and, if changes are proposed, organize advocacy efforts that make it easier for community organizations to participate in the FDA tax credit program without eliminating individual savings accounts for low-income Missourians as an allowable activity under the legislation.
Educate legislators and the public about the impact and importance of asset development programs in Missouri. This goal will include holding an asset development advocacy day at the Capitol and organizing a state-wide effort to implement the national Buy ME (Buy Microenterprise) campaign that seeks to promote consumers to buy locally and support the micro-enterprises in their communities.
Position the Asset Development Task Force to serve as a central clearinghouse of Missouri asset development information including a calendar of relevant events, funding opportunities, best practices, potential collaborations, practitioner directory, and impact and outcomes data.

View an updated list of legislation MASW is following on Asset Development

A list of upcoming meetings is available on the MASW Calendar page. A list of related web sites is available on the MASW Links page.

If you are interested in participating in the Asset Development task force please contact Vanessa Finley, (816) 235-6118.

Staffed by Brian Colby.

Updated: 04/29/2008