The Economic Empowerment Grant Program is a competitive grant process that seeks to build the capacity of state coalitions to respond to the myriad of economic needs of survivors by partnering with local service providers. These grant fund provide an opportunity for coalitions and local programs to collaborate on a cutting edge service area for domestic violence survivors, as well as to engage Allstate agents and employees in a volunteer capacity.
The Economic Empowerment Grant Program provides state coalitions and their local programs the opportunity to partner to develop or enhance projects that address the singular or multitude of economic needs and challenges that survivors face. While there are many types of programming that can build a survivors economic empowerment, The Allstate Foundation and NNEDV focus on financial education through the use of Allstate’s Moving Ahead through Financial Management Curriculum, access to Individual Development Accounts, job readiness and job training and microenterprise.
In 2008, the Foundation awarded $650,000 to state domestic violence coalitions through grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to continue or develop best practices in economic justice for domestic violence survivors.
The 2008 Allstate Foundation Economic Empowerment Grantees are:
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($55,000)
Florida is undergoing a continued economic downturn, which has adversely affected its workforce, those working in low-wage sector jobs, and domestic violence survivors. The Florida Coalition is building on their Allstate Foundation funded program by developing an Individual Development Account program for survivors participating in financial literacy training and living in transitional housing. They are also using The Allstate Foundation “Moving Ahead Through Money Management” curriculum to continue financial education efforts with their local partners.
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence ($52,000)
The Kansas Coalition recognizes the importance of making economic advocacy available to all survivors of domestic violence. Through a new program called Financial Independence, Strategies and Healing (FISH), the coalition will focus on financial literacy and credit counseling. Additionally, they are incorporating Individual Development Accounts as a savings tool in moving survivors toward financial independence.
Kentucky Domestic Violence Association ($100,000)
The Kentucky Association works to provide a strong, statewide voice on behalf of domestic violence survivors by administering state/federal funds, promoting awareness, operating a certification program, and advocating for state legislative initiatives. Building on their program created with Allstate Foundation funds in 2007, Kentucky continues to provide survivors with low credit scores an advanced level of credit counseling and resources to effectively build their credit. Creating a micro loan program, Credit Builder, will help survivors gain access to interest free loans and enable them to save more money for emergencies.
Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault ($80,000)
The Michigan Coalition provides leadership and direction to more than 200 allied organizations and acts as a statewide voice for survivors of domestic violence. Michigan has been an Allstate Foundation grant recipient since 2005, and funding will enhance the Survivors Giving Circle, a survivor-led effort to provide small grants to cover immediate expenses, such as rent, security deposits, home ownership, and/or utilities. The coalition is coordinating a “skill building” conference and serves survivors through The Allstate Foundation’s “Moving Ahead Through Money Management” curriculum.
New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($50,000)
The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence works to achieve a coordinated response to local, regional, and statewide domestic violence issues. The Coalition is implementing a new program called Real Skills. This program provides efficacy and cultural relevance of financial literacy materials to populations not normally receiving the information, including rural and Native American populations.
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($60,000)
The New York Coalition has been the driving force beyond nearly 100 domestic violence programs quest to eradicate domestic violence. Through continued funding from The Allstate Foundation for the Economic Justice Collaborative, New York will continue working towards the creation of state-wide economic justice programming for survivors. Funding will develop and strengthen their economic justice program goals by integrating Individual Development Accounts into current programming.
Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault ($50,000)
The Vermont Network provides services and advocacy for sixteen member programs. The Allstate Foundation’s grant will increase program capacity for economic advocacy, develop mentor programs, and increase survivors’ chances for long-term economic security. By providing financial education through the Foundation’s “Moving Ahead Through Money Management” and increasing access to Individual Development Accounts as a tool for economic planning, survivors will be able to work toward greater financial independence.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($55,000)
The Washington State Coalition is a premiere resource on domestic violence for close to 200 organizations throughout the state. They provide prevention and education information and advocacy for legislation on the state and national levels. One of the first original grant recipients in 2005, Washington will continue financial workshops for survivors through partnerships with YWCAs. Focusing on finance, credit repair, training on financial literacy, and the establishment of Individual Development Accounts, programs will help survivors save for emergencies.
Wisconsin State Coalition Against Domestic Violence ($70,000)
The Wisconsin Coalition serves as a statewide support organization, and plays a central role in legislative advocacy on domestic violence issues. New funding for this coalition will help bridge the skill gap that many survivors encounter as they begin to enter the workforce. Job readiness, computer training classes and skill assessments courses will be provided to survivors in local programs. Additionally, women will receive access to credit counseling and Individual Development Accounts.