Assets for Independence (AFI)

Assets for Independence (AFI) is a community-based approach for giving low-income families a hand up out of poverty. Utilizing existing individual and community assets, AFI strengthens communities from within through the use of matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Through financial education, AFI demonstrates the use and impact of IDAs to help low-income individuals move toward greater self-sufficiency.

  • AFI’s main initiatives include:
  • Awarding grants to non-profit organizations and government agencies that provide IDAs
  • Managing a national resource center to support AFI grantees and develop information on the use of IDAs and related asset-building strategies
  • Managing research on IDA usage and implementation

No funds were appropriated for the Assets for Independence (AFI) program for federal fiscal year 2017. Therefore, the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) will not be making new grant awards for the AFI program.

AFI grants awarded in FY 2016 and before are not affected by the FY 2017 appropriation, as the total award amount was obligated for those grants at the time that they were made. Organizations operating AFI projects with existing grants are responsible for continuing to operate those projects for the funded project period indicated on the notice of grant award.

Notice

The Assets for Independence (AFI) program does not provide direct grants to individuals; AFI does not charge a fee for receiving a grant. If you receive a message offering you an AFI grant or requesting a fee, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.

For more information, please visit the Grant Fraud and Scams  site. Also review ACF’s Disclaimers website, here.


Contact Information

Rafael J. Elizalde, Program Manager
Assets for Independence
Administration for Children and Families
Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 202-401-5115
E-mail: OCSgrants@acf.hhs.gov



Related Resources

Partnership to Address COVID-19 Spread

March 16, 2020

Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership with us to address and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We highly value our strong ongoing partnership, and hope to continue to be a resource to you as you implement community mitigation techniques. As you might imagine, a number of HHS divisions are releasing COVID-19-related information on funding and guidance. We thought it would be helpful to batch up information on key issues to keep you up-to-date.

Read Partnership to Address COVID-19 Spread

AFI Fact Sheet

July 5, 2017

The Assets for Independence Program Summary includes information regarding the program's grant, including the type of grant, the appropriation amount, the legislative authority, the program's purpose, target population, and eligible applicants.

Read AFI Fact Sheet

AFI Case Studies: Integrating Financial Capability Services into Tribal TANF

October 3, 2018

The brief describes the experience of the Pascua Yaqui Indian Tribe, which worked to integrate financial capability services into its TANF program.

Read AFI Case Studies: Integrating Financial Capability Services into Tribal TANF

AFI Report to Congress (17th) FY 2016

March 18, 2019

The Office of Community Services (OCS) provides annual interim reports to Congress on the Assets for Independence (AFI) program, as required by Section 414(d)(1) of the AFI Act. The 17th Annual AFI Report to Congress presents the status of the AFI program as of the end of federal fiscal year (FY) 2016.

Read AFI Report to Congress (17th) FY 2016

AFI Resource Guide: Integrating Financial Capability Services into State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Agencies

October 3, 2018

The brief shares lessons and approaches for how state TANF agencies can integrate financial capability services into TANF and other emergency assistance services.

Read AFI Resource Guide: Integrating Financial Capability Services into State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Agencies