About the Iowa Credit Union Foundation
About the Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Economic Realities of Communities of Color in Iowa: A Statewide Report
In an ever-changing world, leveraging relevant data is critical to identifying barriers to financial well-being within communities. Guided by the cooperative credit union philosophy of "people helping people", ICUF is on a mission to champion financial well-being across Iowa.
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In an effort to support financial institutions and community organizations with actionable data, ICUF has invested in the creation of a statewide report, “Economic Realities of Communities of Color in Iowa”.
Clicking this link, you will leave the ICUF website to download the report.
Across the U.S., a disproportionate number of minority communities are financially vulnerable (just one missed paycheck or accident away from a crisis). This Report provides further context to these figures nationwide and within Iowa. Our research shows that Iowa households of Color are more than twice as likely as White households to live with an income below the federal poverty level.
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The Report incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data to provide insight to the economic realities many Iowans are facing. We've identified key areas of focus that greatly impact financial well-being prosperity:
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Housing
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Education
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Childcare
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Employment
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Business Ownership
Opportunities for Action
We share this Report with you in hopes of identifying and inspiring opportunities to continue championing the financial health of Iowans. After downloading the report, here are a few possibilities to start with:
Short Term Actions
Examine local census data and demographic information to understand the diversity of your area.
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Mid-Term Actions
Coordinate with relevant organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to draft an action plan addressing the most pressing needs in your community.
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Long Term Actions
Establish formal and informal cross-sectoral networks which increase community resilience and ensure that necessary resources and expertise are present to address the issues in question.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Report, how your organization can apply the data, or would like to discuss other ways to promote financial well-being, please email info@iowacreditunionfoundation.org.