Company Profile
Company Overview
Arizona Saves is a not-for-profit 501 c 3 organization created in 2003. The mission of Arizona Saves is to change lives with financial skills and knowledge. We provide financial education workshops, particularly low- to moderate-income families, teens and children. We partner with community development and asset development non-profit organizations, financial institutions, faith-based organizations, government entities, businesses, and many others.
Arizona Saves is the designated financial education provider for families receiving supportive and emergency services from the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. We partner with many organizations including Valley of the Sun United Way, Catholic Charities, MAXIMUS, Friendly House, Golden Gate Community Center, South Phoenix Healthy Start, and many others.
Mission: Changing lives with financial skills and knowledge
Who is Arizona Saves? Arizona Saves is the only non-profit organization dedicated to solely providing financial education workshops statewide. As a volunteer-driven organization, we recruit, train, and equip community members to deliver high-quality, interactive financial education workshops in their communities.
Why is financial education important? Through education, information, and coaching, we assist Arizonans to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement. Our goal is to provide the financial skills and knowledge by which individuals and their families will move forward in changing their financial lives toward stability, security, and self-reliance.
What services are offered by Arizona Saves?
? Train-the-Trainer events for community volunteers and partners to become certified to instruct Arizona Saves workshops
? Financial education workshops on a wide variety of topics, including budgeting, using credit wisely, how to improve credit, managing finances in times of crisis, preparing to buy a home, preparing to buy a car, and basic investment and retirement strategies.
? Financial education for children is offered in conjunction with adult workshops (at some workshop series).
? Access to no-fee saving accounts through our Arizona Saver program.
Who does Arizona Saves serve? Financial education workshops are FREE and open to the public. Arizona Saves partners with several cities and social service agencies to provide financial education to the communities they serve. Our target population is families with income below 80% of area median income. Workshops are aimed at lower-income families engaged in asset development and case management programs.
How does Arizona Saves deliver financial education workshops? Free financial education workshops are offered by our trained volunteers through community partners. We often provide free dinner to participants, prizes and incentives for participation, $50 savings bonds at each adult workshop, and a certificate of completion after a series of workshops.
Why should I become an Arizona Saver? The Saver program is designed to motivate families to set savings goals that will help them achieve sustainable financial stability and develop future financial security. Participants set a specific savings goal and create a plan to achieve that goal. Savers are encouraged to open savings accounts with no-fees and that require a low minimum balance. Savers receive a quarterly newsletter to encourage continued savings behavior and updates on upcoming workshops.
For more information on workshops, or to become an Arizona Saves volunteer,
please contact us at 602-246-3500 or by email at info@arizonasaves.org
Workshop schedule and financial resources can be found at www.arizonasaves.org
Workshop Purpose and Objectives
BANKING BASICS & SAVINGS: To learn the basic banking and financial skills to interact effectively and beneficially with financial institutions. To learn the importance of saving and goal-setting.
? Recognize the differences between traditional financial institutions and alternative financial products
? Explain how savings and checking accounts work
? Understand how to manage accounts correctly
? Understand check holds and why deposited funds might not be immediately available
? Understand the importance of short & long-term savings
? Group-defined objectives
*BUILDING A BETTER BUDGET: To emphasize the importance of and aid in the creation of a livable personal budget.
? Understand how budgeting can help maximize money
? Name the major components of a personal budget
? Understand how habits affect a budget’s success
? How to “track” spending and why this helps budgets
? Create a livable personal budget
? Group-defined objectives
*TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR CREDIT: (a.k.a., Good Credit is Sexy!) To discuss consumer credit history and explore strategies for improving credit.
? Understand why good credit is important
? Recognize what’s in a credit report
? Understand credit scoring
? Know how to access free credit reports
? Identify 3 key steps to improve credit
? Group-defined objectives
CHOOSING & USING CREDIT WISELY: To discuss responsible credit use, with a focus on understanding one of the most common forms of credit: credit cards.
? Explain fundamental concepts of borrowing money
? Describe how credit cards work
? Understand the cost of using credit
? Make informed choices about credit
? Group-defined objectives
*PREPARING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP: Designed for First Time Homebuyers to help them determine if they are ready to buy and how to access first time homebuyer programs.
? Understand how to qualify for a mortgage
? What lenders are looking for to approve you
? How to increase your buying power
? How to access first-time homebuyer programs
? Understanding your rights as a mortgage borrower
? Group-defined objectives
CRISIS BUDGET WORKSHOPS: To provide intervention to families facing financial crisis and impart skills and tools to take control of their financial situation. Designed to help families experiencing financial hardship due to recent job loss or loss of income, and major life changes that directly impact financial management. Objectives: to understand trade-offs and make drastic spending changes, identify high priority expenses, manage debts and create a realistic crisis budget.
An alternate Crisis Budget for Foreclosure curriculum is available; designed to meet the needs of families facing mortgage crisis which will prepare participants to work effectively with Housing Counselors.
ARIZONA KIDS SAVES WORKSHOPS: 3-part series offered to children (who attend with their parents) to learn the difference between “Wants vs. Needs”, the importance of savings and money management, and basic banking skills.
WORKSHOPS IN DEVELOPMENT: Certified financial planners are assisting Arizona Saves to develop an Investment 101 workshop to help participants understand investment choices. Car Purchase workshops are also in development.
*Generally, Budget, Credit and Homeownership are offered as a 3 class series. When presented as a “series,” Arizona Saves may provide Dinner to participants. When children’s classes are incorporated, incentives include weekly “prize store” for kids & teens, savings bonds for each child who completes the series, savings bond raffle at each adult class, and certificate of completion. Community Partners are responsible for marketing and outreach. Minimum class size: 20 adults, 10 children per age group.