Appropriations Requests for : Communities First, Inc.

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Communities First, Inc.

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

1112 W. Bristol Rd. Flint, MI 48507; metro areas across Michigan

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

27-3600343

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$5,000,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

The Communities First, Inc. Family Mobility Savings Program is a multi-layered approach to financial literacy and independence. In this program, we work to connect financial literacy and educational opportunities to financial support that allows individuals and families to build true, long-term security and wealth. Through our multi-layered approach, this program does the following: • Supports the establishment of a relationship between participants and a traditional banking institution • Provides financial incentives for tasks designed to improve economic security • Deposits funds into a savings account for the participant, building their ability to have an emergency savings account and prepare for unexpected expenses • Supports for family emergencies, opportunities to customize goals, and referrals to needed resources • The coaching component inspires participants to achieve goals and holds them accountable. This program aligns directly with the stated goal of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which states that funded activities should work to “End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage.” We firmly believe that by investing in independent financial literacy, establishing formal banking relationships with financial institutions, supporting clients through challenging moments in their lives, and encouraging the creation of emergency savings, we are setting program participants up for success independent of further public assistance. Fully funding this program, which has been historically restricted to families in the Detroit area, would allow CFI to expand this work to other metro areas across Michigan. Existing and potential banking partners include One Detroit Credit Union, Fifth Third Bank, and ELGA Credit Union. Past financial partners have been the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, and CFI has received commitments from other funders to support future stages of this work. We are confident in this program's ability to build a larger coalition of private supporters to leverage public action. This program’s public benefit is that participants are both more psychologically and financially able to handle a financial emergency, which occurs regularly throughout the lives of many Michiganders. Additionally, beneficiaries are less likely to need to rely on public assistance when they can be more financially independent.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

No previous funding received

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

3 years after receipt of funding

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

Yes

4. Officers and active members on the board of directors:

President and CEO: Glenn Wilson Board Chair: Jason Paulateer Member: Kathryn Moeller Member: Carma Lewis Secretary of Board: Tiffany Hughes

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator John Cherry