In order to achieve the goals of helping Cowlitz County citizens establish savings, purchase assets & increase wealth, the Cowlitz Asset Building Coalition (CABC) currently has four working strategies:
- Bank On Cowlitz County: The Bank on Cowlitz County Unbanked Initiative is designed to increase access to financial main-stream services and financial education for low-to moderate-income residents that will assist them to achieve greater economic prosperity. In addition, the Bank of Cowlitz is one of eight pilot sites selected by the Department of U.S. Treasury’s, Office of Financial Education, Community Financial Access Pilot.
- Providing Financial Education: Money Smart Financial Literacy courses are offered twice weekly in the community. This includes a morning and evening offering. Workshops are open to the public of all ages, are free and no registration or income eligibility are required
- Individual Development Accounts (IDA): Providing asset building opportunities through CAPital Investments IDA Program. Participants save up to $2000.00 and are matched at 2.1 for every dollar saved toward the purchase of their chosen asset.
- Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) / Free Tax Outreach: CABC has partnered with AARP Tax Aide to provide outreach of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and is providing /Free Tax preparation to filers of all ages and economic background.
