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Economic Opportunity

To thrive, central Iowans need sufficient income and opportunities to build wealth.

It’s about making a living wage and having additional income to build wealth, saving for assets that break the cycle of poverty for generations to come.

What’s the challenge?

It’s about making a living wage and having additional income to build wealth, saving for assets that break the cycle of poverty for generations to come.

Having sufficient income is tied to better outcomes in all areas of life – from physical and mental health to educational attainment and early childhood success. Poverty is stressful and tough: not only does it limit your ability to thrive, but it also reduces your freedom to make critical choices for your household from who you see for healthcare, to where you shop for groceries and where you live. Having sufficient income and opportunities to build wealth ensures that individuals and families can not only thrive in their generation, but also pass financial stability on to future generations so they can thrive.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN CENTRAL IOWA

  • 15.7k
    CENTRAL IOWANS ARE EMPLOYED BUT BELOW 100% POVERTY LEVELS

    ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology. 

  • 35%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA HOUSEHOLDS LIVE BELOW THE ALICE SURVIVAL BUDGET THRESHOLD

    That’s more than 92,000 households in Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties.

  • 88%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA JOBS REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL EDUCATION/TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

    The number of adults without a high school diploma or equivalency has steadily dropped in central Iowa to just 7.3%.

  • 1 in 5
    CENTRAL IOWANS DO NOT HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT

    The percentage of Iowans who have a savings account has dropped over the last four years. 

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Our Strategies

  • Provide access to skills and supports leading to jobs that provide income needed to be self-sufficient with the opportunity to build wealth
  • Provide access to adult basic education, post-secondary education, training, and supports required for quality jobs
  • Provide individuals access to financial services and supports to manage their money, save for assets, and purchase/invest in assets - including developing, financing and sustaining small business.
    (Financial services and supports help individuals plan for, manage, and invest their income and other assets to maximize the power of their money and grow their net assets. Services and supports may include financial products such as loans, lines of credit, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and 529 college savings accounts, as well as coaching and fiduciary advice.)
  • Maximize use of the tax code to boost income through appropriate filing status and use of tax credits and deductions
  • Advocate for policies and practices to improve Economic Opportunity systems and provide equitable access to central Iowans