Inclusiv/Communities
Inclusiv is dedicated to the financial empowerment of communities of color. For decades now, we have worked to bridge the growing racial wealth gap that reveals deep inequities that remain in our economy and society. As financial cooperatives, credit unions are the ideal mechanism to address this divide by strengthening communities and helping their members access asset building tools through affordable, and responsible financial products and services. Through Inclusiv/Communities, we deliver innovative approaches and practical solutions to expand financial inclusion in communities of color.
Inclusiv Black Communities works alongside credit unions led by and serving predominantly Black communities to build credit union capacity to grow their reach and impact. We provide technical assistance, including developing a growth strategy, strengthening community partnerships, and accessing external capital and grant resources including CDFI. Inclusiv Black Communities also builds and supports regional peer networks for credit unions to share and learn from one another and collectively tackle common challenges and achieve common goals.
Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) is a designation for credit unions committed to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers – helping them navigate the U.S. financial system and providing safe, affordable and relevant financial services. Juntos Avanzamos credit unions employ bilingual, culturally-competent staff and leadership, accept alternative forms of ID and treat all of their members with respect, regardless of immigration status. Inclusiv is leading the national expansion of Juntos Avanzamos, in partnership with the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP); Coopera, Iowa-based consultants to the credit union industry on the Hispanic market; Cornerstone Credit Union League, and a growing number of state leagues and associations across the country.
Inclusiv is leading efforts to strengthen the cooperative finance system in Puerto Rico to amplify its critical role in helping communities recover from natural disasters that have impacted and continue to impact the island. Community development credit unions and cooperativas have played important roles to help communities recover from both economic and natural disasters.
Inclusiv/Technology
Pathways to Financial Empowerment
Pathways to Financial Empowerment is a financial counseling model supported by first-of-its-kind technology to track impact, developed with Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners. Pathways supports credit unions to deliver best-practice financial coaching, achieve and measure impact on a central platform, and to analyze financial wellness and engagement of members.
Inclusiv brings innovative solutions that harness the power of technology and data to expand and enhance reach and impact of our network of credit unions. We realize these efforts by partnering with leading researchers and technology providers to develop, redesign and customize technologies for the needs of low-income communities and the credit unions that serve them.
Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy
The Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy, created in partnership with the Center for Impact Finance at the Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire and the Hewlett Foundation, is designed to build a network of credit unions committed to jointly designing and scaling solutions to climate change, with a goal of promoting affordable and sustainable energy for all people.