From the President & CEO

Dear Friends and Supporters,

This summer, Prosperity Now staff have been hard at work building an exceptional 2020 Virtual Prosperity Summit to be held September 30-October 2. We’ve secured an excellent lineup, and we’re confident that this event will meet every expectation of our in-person Summits—and perhaps even provide unique opportunities for collaboration and connection that wouldn’t be possible outside of a virtual environment.

A Prosperity Action Hour with inspiring remarks from Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison, where, afterward you will be able to raise key issues with policymakers and their staff
A Fireside Chat on economic resilience with Daymond John, entrepreneur, author and “Shark Tank” investor
A discussion about redesigning an economy that works for everyone with April Ryan, White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks and political analyst for CNN
Concurrent sessions on topics impacting low-income communities and communities of color
A performance by Sounds of Blackness that will have you dancing in your home office
A secret scavenger hunt for you and your family
Networking lounges to connect directly with other attendees
Chances to win prizes that are way better than the pens you’re used to grabbing in an exhibit hall
And SO MUCH MORE!!

I will also be outlining Prosperity Now’s new strategic direction at this year’s Summit, and I am so excited to share the future of our organization with the field. I can’t think of a better way to begin a new chapter of Prosperity Now than with so many colleagues and friends at our first ever Virtual Summit.

REGISTER TODAY, and let’s tackle economic security issues and build pathways to recovery together!

With gratitude,

Gary Cunningham

President & CEO, Prosperity Now

Prosperity Now Sub-Grants $800,000 to VITA Centers to Increase Access to Tax Services

Earlier this year, the COVID-19 crisis caused hundreds of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs to shut their doors and quickly adjust how they deliver community tax preparation services to their clients. Many programs have adopted alternate forms of service delivery, such as drop-off, facilitated self-assistance and virtual VITA. To support organizations in reaching the most underserved communities, Property Now awarded more than $800,000 to 63 organizations across the United States in June and July. The grants were made possible by generous funding from both the Citi Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners. Read more.

The Fragile Financial Stability of Immigrant Households in Light of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep inequities and structural vulnerabilities plaguing our society, which disproportionately affect certain segments of the U.S. population. The seven million low- and moderate-income (LMI) immigrant households and the 8.1 million LMI immigrant workers in the civilian labor force are among those groups. Some of the most fundamental and essential industries in the economy rely heavily on the work of LMI immigrant workers. Yet, a large proportion of them are not able to access the safety nets and protections available to other workers.

Our recently released brief sheds light on the structural barriers that have made immigrant households particularly vulnerable to the financial shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

See What You Missed at the 2020 Camp Prosperity!

Last week, we wrapped up the 2020 Camp Prosperity advocacy summer camp series! Thank you to the nearly 300 registrants from 43 states who joined us for this year’s webinar series. Through four weeks, we covered Advocacy 101, Values-Based Messaging for a Better Future, Influencing Your State’s Budget in Times of Crisis and Election-Year Civic Engagement for Nonprofits.

Check out session recordings here.

A special thank you to the following Prosperity Now Community Champions and friends who joined us to share valuable expertise during Camp Prosperity:

Maryland Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (District 20)
Chad Bolt, Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Heather Cabral, Senior Director at West End Strategy Team
Bernie Mazyck, President and CEO of the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development
Alison McIntosh, Policy and Communications Director at Neighborhood Partnerships
Louisa Warren Director, State Strategies and Engagement at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Abby Levine, Director of the Bolder Advocacy Program of the Alliance for Justice
Eugene Young, CEO and President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League

Mark Your Calendars

Webinar: Addressing Student Loan Debt: Federal, State and Institutional Solutions and the Impact of COIVD-19 | August 25, 2020
Webinar: Reaching Community Members in an Evolving Crisis: A Discussion for Credit Counseling Agencies from the Smart Growth Program | September 3, 2020
Register Today: Virtual 2020 Prosperity Summit | Prosperity Now | September 30 – October 2, 2020

Resources from Across the Community

Unlocking Assets: Building Women’s Wealth Through Business Ownership | Asset Funders Network
This report highlights the unique challenges women-owned businesses face.

The Fragile Financial Stability of Immigrant Household in Light of COVID-19 | Prosperity Now
This brief describes how structural barriers have made immigrant populations vulnerable to the financial instability caused by COVID-19.

A Toolkit for Centering Racial Equity Within Data Integration | Annie E. Casey Foundation
This toolkit provides a framework on how to center racial equity and community voice when gathering and using data for civic purposes.

Exploring Racial Economic Equity in Workforce Development | Prosperity Now
This training manual provides tools to help workforce development practitioners challenge systemic obstacles and achieve racial economic equity goals.

Exploring Racial Economic Equity in Policy Advocacy | Prosperity Now
This report describes how organizations can use programmatic knowledge to inform and develop equitable policy agendas.

FinTech Over 50: Designing for Low-to-Moderate Income Older Adults | The Financial Health Network
This brief describes ways to overcome fintech adoption barriers and provides design recommendations that empower adults over 50.

Prosperity Now in the Media

Essence: Money Matters: How to Improve Your Net Worth

CT Mirror: Reduce the risks of reopening for Black and Latino workers

MarketWatch: Some lower-income households can’t fully afford bills, medical care or food because of COVID-19 — and many didn’t get stimulus checks

MarketWatch: Should I have gotten my stimulus check by now? Why some people are still waiting — and what to do about it

Yahoo! Finance: Still haven't received your first $1,200 stimulus check? What you need to do

New AFFH Rule Eliminates Fair Housing for Communites of Color

COVID-19 Creates Extra Impediments to Fall Attendance for Our Most Vulnerable College Students

Seven Ways Congress Can Help Working Families in the Next Stimulus Bill