Funding

The FEC Academy is a new opportunity for local governments to learn about the key building blocks of bringing the FEC model to their communities – including through leveraging federal funding streams like the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The CFE Fund’s FEC Academy will guide cities and counties through each step of planning to launch the model locally, and includes significant CFE Fund technical assistance, access to planning resources and information, and participation in a robust learning community. Upon completion of the FEC Academy, partners will be equipped to mobilize the building blocks to launch the Financial Empowerment Center initiative in their community.

Enroll now for the next FEC Academy cohort; applications are due by June 9th!

The CFE Fund has a number of funding opportunities to support banking access efforts:

Start-Up Grant: The CFE Fund’s Bank On Startup Grant supports new or newly re-launched Bank On Coalitions in laying the foundation and developing the necessary infrastructure for coalition success. These capacity building grants will support local coalitions in the adoption of the Bank On National Account Standards and in launching or relaunching local Bank On initiatives. The CFE Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis; please follow the instructions on the “Bank On Funding Pre-Application” form to apply for this grant.

Capacity Grant: The CFE Fund’s Bank On Capacity Grant aims to assist leadership of local Bank On coalitions in expanding banking access by providing capacity support for an existing Bank On coalition that has, or envisions, coalition leadership that is at least half time of that person’s portfolio. These capacity building grants support local coalitions in the adoption of the Bank On National Account Standards and for the ongoing operations of local Bank On efforts.  The CFE Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis; please follow the instructions on the “Bank On Funding Pre-Application” form at the link to apply for this grant.

Integration Grant: The CFE Fund’s Bank On Integration Grant supports the development of replicable, large-scale programs that connect underserved populations to certified accounts to enable households to preserve their earnings and build assets through programming that makes regular payments (e.g. wages, cash benefits, payments, stipends). The CFE Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis; please follow the instructions on the “Bank On Funding Pre-Application” form at the link to apply for this grant.