About ABC
The Asset Building Coalition (ABC) unites citizens, institutions, and businesses to raise awareness about asset poverty, its affects on individuals, families, and our community overall, and coordinate shared strategies we can all work on together to build asset wealth for a more resilient Forsyth County.
Mission
To build, rebuild, and protect the assets of residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina.
Vision
A community where all people have an opportunity for financial stability.
The Asset Building Coalition:
- educates and promotes awareness about the individual/family impacts of asset poverty, as well as the community-level impacts.
- connects our community to action, providing volunteer opportunities for individuals and membership opportunities for businesses and organizations.
- coordinates community-wide collaborative initiatives, including Forsyth Saves, Forsyth Living Wage, Financial Education Best Practices, and an Asset-Building Policy & Advocacy Platform.
- communicates timely, relevant information with our community networks through our blog, email list, Facebook page, Twitter, and LinkedIN accounts.
- empowers individuals, businesses, and organizations as champions for a more asset-resilient Forsyth County through connection to a wide range of resources and financial services.
We Want to Hear from You!
Get in touch at TheABCForsyth@gmail.com.
Staff
Shenell Thompson, Program Manager
Board of Directors
Full Board of Directors list coming soon.
Current Members
Atkinson Collaborative Enterprise
Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County
Hands On Northwest North Carolina
Karl F. Yena, nonprofit consultant
Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods
NC Cooperative Extension Forsyth County
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina
Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union
FAQ
Q: Is the ABC a non-profit organization?
The ABC is currently working toward attaining 501(c)3 nonprofit status. We anticipate meeting this milestone by early 2020.
Q: Can I give a tax-free donation to the ABC?
Yes. You can do this by giving a gift or grant to any non-profit member of the Coalition and designating that it be used for specific materials, activities or other direct costs related to the Coalition.
Q: Why was the Coalition formed?
It was formed in response to a research study that showed rates of poverty, asset poverty, poor credit, and lack of savings worse in our area that in many other places in the state and nation. [2012 MEOP study by the Center for Enterprise Development (CFED), Washington DC.]
Q: Is the ABC part of a national network?
Yes and No. We are solely a local creation, however we serve as one of 93 Community Champions across the country with Prosperity NOW. And we are a member of the statewide advocacy initiative NC Assets Alliance.
Q: What does the Coalition hope to achieve?
We hope that our conscious and sustained collective awareness about and connected activities to specifically address asset poverty will be more effective than the lone activities of each member.
Q: What is asset poverty?
When a family does not have enough resources set aside to meet, in the absence of income, their basic needs for three months, they are asset poor.
Q: What is the income cutoff level for asset poverty?
There is none, really. A family can have a generous income, but if they have no savings, no home equity, and no other assets, they are living in asset poverty.
Q: Who can join the Coalition?
Any individual, business, or nonprofit whose interests and activities are in keeping with the mission and vision of the Coalition.
Q: Is the Coalition an advocacy organization?
We do not lobby for legislative change. We do raise awareness of public policy and legal issues that may enhance or threaten the ability of low- income North Carolinians to build and protect personal assets.
Q: How are the activities of the Coalition funded?
The Coalition is a voluntary collaboration. Its members contribute time, expertise, office supplies, and so on. Members pay a small fee which helps offset some costs. We have also received financial and in-kind support from foundations, banks, and others in the community.
Q: What is the mailing address?
The Coalition does not maintain office space. Contact one of the lead organizations using the contact information below.