Program areas at MAF
Emergency grants - in 2020, the organization created the covid-19 rapid response Fund, a nationwide financial relief Fund to provide direct cash assistance to low wage workers, California public college students, and immigrant families excluded from federal support. Rather than disbursing grants through a first-come, first-served basis or lottery systems--approaches that further inequality by preferencing those with the best resources, access, or luck--the organization developed a financial equity framework to direct resources to applicants facing the greatest financial hardship. Over the course of 18 months, the organization disbursed more than 65,000 grants totaling $40m in direct relief. Beyond grants, the organization also established resources finder, a new online tool to match people with relevant resources that they may be eligible for.
Immigration loans - in 2017, the organization expanded the portfolio of programs to include a zero-interest immigration loan program and scholarships to help individuals cover the cost of citizenship applications, deferred action for childhood arrivals (daca), green card and other immigration related fees. In 2021, against the backdrop of the covid-19 pandemic, numerous changes in immigration policy put immigrant households' future and finances under immense strain. The organization expanded its immigration program offerings, providing a sliding scale of credit-building loans, partial, and full grants to cover the cost of seven uscis application fees, including humanitarian parole for afghan refugees. In line with the covid-related changes to the lending circles program, the organization extended all loan flexibility options to apply to all immigration loans.
Recovery program - to support people in the transition from emergency relief to long-term recovery, maf launched an unparalleled initiative supporting the financial recovery of immigrant families excluded from federal covid-19 relief. The organization's immigrant families recovery program, launched at the end of 2021, is a $30m Fund to provide a $400 guaranteed monthly income for up to 24 months to 3,000 immigrant families. Going beyond cash support, the program pairs monthly payments with access to the organization's credit building products, financial education courses, one-on-one coaching, and self-advocacy training to help participants rebuild and recover faster.
Lending circles - in 2008, the organization launched the lending circles social loan program, introducing a new strategy rooted in the global tradition of group lending that enables low-income families to build credit, reduce debt, and improve their financial security. In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the organization temporarily embedded greater flexibility in the lending circles program to help clients weather financial challenges, including options to implement a 3-month loan forbearance, put a one-month hold on payments, or restructure loan payments. In partnership with a nationwide network of nonprofits, the organization provides lending circles through both direct programs in California and nationwide. Paired with timely, actionable, and culturally-relevant financial education, the lending circles program has been widely acclaimed for its impact, helping thousands of participants access safe and affordable capital, build credit, and establish a foothold in the u.s. Mainstream financial system.business microloans - in 2012, the organization built on the successful lending circles model to provide zero-interest, credit-building capital to entrepreneurs and micro-business owners in California's bay area. Through lending circles for business, prior lending circles clients received business-specific technical assistance, financial coaching, and direct loans of up to $2,500 to invest in their business. In 2021, the organization restructured the program to meet the needs of a growing community of entrepreneurs navigating the covid-19 pandemic through new business creation. The organization's revamped business microloan program serves clients across the state of California with no requirements on prior program participation. In addition, the organization expanded offerings through mymaf, an in-house mobile application where users are accessing pathways to financial empowerment through a vast digital financial education and coaching library.