Our Advocacy Framework

Our initiative-shaped work is framed by a dual-pronged antipoverty tack, which includes "out of poverty" and "ending poverty" strategies.

• Out of poverty strategies leverage our Financial Opportunity & Inclusion Continuum to connect individuals and families with change-making assets--such as CSAs, IDAs, and financial capability training.
  
• Ending poverty strategies involve proactive policy advocacy--to remove barriers to opportunity that limit the asset-building capacity of limited-income and historically underserved communities, specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities; this involves collaboratively shaping an "opportunity economy" predicated upon equitable policy and access to assets. 
  

Our dual-pronged, data-driven tack helps ensure intergenerational assets are secured, protected, and leveraged sustainably--to maintain household members' health, and to support their long-term goals.  

Why We Advocate

Poverty in New Mexico will not be supplanted by prosperity without fundamental changes in attitudes, behaviors, and systems. Hardworking, limited-income New Mexicans are saving and investing in their futures through our initiative suite (e.g., IDAs and CSAs). Banks, credit unions, regulators, and policy makers have key roles to play in proactively shaping an equitable economy where prosperity works for everyone.

​Together with our partners in progress, we advocate for accessible resources to build change-making assets; more equitable, low-interest lending alternatives to high-interest, predatory lenders; and holistic financial inclusion and capability training. 

Accessible Asset-building Resources	Equitable Alternatives to Predatory Lending	Financial Inclusion & Capability Training
Inequitable access to knowledge, relationships, and capital often prevents limited-income households from building power through securing and growing their assets--be it a home, small business, or degree. Equipping households with a suite of asset-building resources helps empower members to proactively save and build toward a future where their family can thrive.	​High-interest lending keeps people in endless cycles of inescapable debt and further systematizes poverty in marginalized communities. Capping interest rates and offering alternative, low-interest lending options are more equitable, and fiscally sound, options.	​Financial inclusion means everyone, regardless of income level, should have access to and can effectively use the financial services they need to improve their lives. Moreover, financial capability training helps individual savers put this knowledge into practice to bring their goals to fruition.