We create multi-year relationships with these promising nonprofits, committing time, expertise and philanthropic funds to help accelerate their impact.
Why we committed
Direct cash assistance to individuals is a common-sense, efficient and increasingly proven way of increasing financial freedom around the world. NeighborShare’s approach is transforming direct-to-consumer giving. For neighbors in need, they’re removing the red tape to “just in time” help, keeping families on track and out of crisis. For donors (both individual and institutional), they’re working through vetted partners in local communities to provide a trusted, direct, and transparent way to lend a hand to a neighbor in need. NeighborShare has tremendous potential to scale, and the ability to help millions stay on the path to financial freedom. Visit NeighborShare to Learn More.
Tzedek DC provides free legal assistance and financial counseling to help neighbors with the often life-altering problems that arise from debt.
Their legal assistance program started with the insight that 95% of DC residents with low and moderate incomes received no legal support for debt-related problems (even though it was highly effective for those who did obtain it) and that predatory lending and debt collection lawsuits disproportionately target communities of color.
Without legal help, default judgments, impaired credit ratings, and outstanding fines and fees lead to problems that reduce future job prospects and harm long-term financial stability. In the worst cases, unfavorable debt judgments can set off a spiral of events leading to unemployment, homelessness, and/or prison.
Tzedek DC’s free legal support helps their clients achieve successful outcomes over 95% of the time: winning their case outright or settling on terms compatible with their cash flow, saving an average of $2,577 per full representation case, conservatively calculated. Tzedek DC also offers financial education to deepen financial empowerment of all DC residents and reduce the odds of experiencing a debt crisis in the first place.
Importantly, client insights shape their work with local government to remove policy barriers to financial freedom. For example, in 2022 they helped end a DC policy blocking driver’s license renewals for residents who owe money to the District after clients raised the impact the policy had on their household financial health. And in September 2024, Tzedek DC was instrumental in erasing $42MM in medical debt for 62,000 DC residents.
“With Tzedek DC, they really care about the person totally…. Tzedek DC came in and they straightened everything out. I truly believe I’m getting ready to do something great.” – Shawn, a US Air Force veteran who, after working with Tzedek DC, overcame debt-based obstacles and received his small business license.
Why we committed
We see passionate experts helping households stay on the path to financial freedom at the individual level, and also using what they learn from those experiences to advocate for policy changes that benefit thousands of DC residents. We believe their approach has the potential to improve the potential of financial freedom for Americans in communities nationwide. Visit Tzedek DC to Learn More.