Home | FII – Family Independence Initiative

Making Poverty Escapable

Why make poverty tolerable, when we can make it escapable?

As a nation, we have missed an opportunity to invest directly in the initiative and strength of low-income families working toward economic mobility. 75% of low-income families move above the federal poverty line within four years. Yet, 50% slip back under within five years. Under the current system, families struggle to build the necessary assets to weather the next crisis and aren’t rewarded for their initiative in doing so. FII is changing this resource gap for low-income families by partnering with, learning from, and investing directly in families.

Our Challenge

How FII Works

Together we are building a movement to change the way low-income families are perceived and invested in, nationwide.

We provide an environment and technology platform for families to build their own community. We learn about the actions and activities families are taking to improve their lives and design direct capital investments matching their initiatives. This approach accelerates their social and economic mobility and makes poverty escapable.

Our Approach

1. $2,166
2. $2,651
Average increase in monthly income
On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII, families report a 22% increase in monthly income.
55%

Average decrease in subsidies such as TANF and SNAP

On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII, families report a 55% decrease in subsidies such as TANF and SNAP.
19%

13%

19% of FII Families are entrepreneurs vs. 13% of Americans

19% of FII Families are entrepreneurs vs. 13% of Americans.
88%

% of their students have excellent, good or improved grades

On average, during 2 years of engagement with FII, families report 88% of their students have excellent, good or improved grades.
Families grow their yearly income by 2.4x and their assets by 1.7x the initial $2,400 investment

Over 2 years enrolled in FII, the average investment directly to families is $2,400. Using this investment, families grow their yearly income by $5,829 (or 2.4 times the investment) and their assets by $4,089 (or 1.7 times the investment).
$4,778,705

Total estimated amount FII families have exchanged through social capital activities

Total estimated amount FII families have exchanged through social capital activities like watching each others children, cooking for one another, lending money, and etc.

We Partner Directly with Families

For 17 years, we have partnered with thousands of families, nationwide.

We have collected thousands of inspiring stories that demonstrate the creativity, resourcefulness, and initiative of FII families striving to move beyond poverty for good.

Our Stories