What is the name of your solution?
• Native Finance Strong
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
Culturally concordant financial education meets cutting-edge AI technology to prepare Native youths for financial success.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Vista, CA, USAIn what country is your solution team headquartered?
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Problem: Financial Illiteracy in Native Communities
Native communities in San Diego County, and across the nation, face a complex web of challenges that perpetuate financial exclusion and limit economic opportunities. Here is a breakdown of these interconnected factors:
1. Alarming Financial Illiteracy: A staggering 87% of Native American high school students failed a financial literacy test, according to a 2007 FINRA Foundation study. This lack of financial knowledge hinders informed decision-making and economic well-being for future generations.
2. Paucity of Culturally Concordant Financial Education: Due to cultural misalignment, traditional economic practices and values may not translate directly to conventional financial education. Furthermore, historical trauma, broken treaties, and ongoing systemic discrimination have fostered a deep-seated distrust of mainstream financial systems. This reluctance in the community to lead to additional resistance to engage with conventional banking and financial system.
3. Digital Divide and Lack of Infrastructure: Limited broadband access on many reservations cuts off communities from online banking, educational resources, and the potential benefits of technology-driven financial solutions. This lack of connectivity perpetuates financial isolation and limits opportunities to address financial literacy gaps.
Consequences: A Cycle of Economic Hardship
The combination of these factors translates into severe consequences for Native communities:
· Vulnerability to Predatory Lending: With limited access to mainstream financial services, many individuals turn to payday lenders, check-cashing services, and other high-interest options. These predatory practices trap people in cycles of debt, hindering any chance of wealth accumulation.
· Transportation Barriers and Employment Challenges: Inability to establish credit or obtain affordable car insurance creates significant hurdles to securing reliable transportation. Without transportation, employment options are severely limited, further impacting economic stability.
· Obstacles to Wealth Creation and Self-Determination: Homeownership, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial planning – key pillars of economic sovereignty – remain out of reach due to a lack of financial knowledge, resources, and access to appropriate financial tools.
Unequal Access Within Reservations:
The problem is further compounded by unequal access to financial education within reservations. According to our interviews with educators, some tribes offer financial education programs to their enrolled youth who will receive per capita distributions. But these programs exclude non-enrolled tribal members and youth from families without access to per capita income. This disparity creates a situation where a significant portion of the reservation youth lack basic financial literacy skills, hindering their future economic opportunities.
Urgent Need: Addressing This Crisis is Crucial
The 2015 National Financial Capability Study found that 63% of Native American participants could not meet their financial obligations. In our survey, some community members, including tribal leaders, pay 1%-8% higher APR for their car loan. This highlights the severity of the financial exclusion crisis and its impact on Native communities. Addressing these deeply rooted barriers is essential for fostering true financial inclusion and empowering all youth in the community, regardless of tribal enrollment status, to thrive.
What is your solution?
Native Finance Strong Solution: Democratization of Financial Knowledge for All Youth in Indigenous Communities
What It Is:
A digital, individualized training program guided by the Iroquois principle of the 7th Generation. This program informs and empowers Native American youth, creating a positive, long-term understanding of financial systems and the opportunities available to them. Due to large income disparity between gaming and non-gaming tribes, our curriculum can be tailored to suit the specific cultural, literacy, and community needs of each tribe.
Focus on Youth:
Recognizing the lasting impact of early financial literacy, we prioritize youth education. By equipping all youth, regardless of tribal affiliation or socioeconomic status, with financial knowledge and skills at a young age, we empower them to become self-sufficent, and strengthen tribal nations’ ability for self-determination.
How It Works:
- Collaborative Curriculum Development: We work closely with tribal elders, educators, and community leaders to develop a curriculum that integrates traditional economic values with modern financial principles. This ensures the content resonates with students and fosters cultural identity alongside financial understanding.
- Age-Appropriate Delivery: The curriculum is tailored to specific age groups (K-12) using engaging methods like games, storytelling, and real-world scenarios. This makes learning interactive and relevant to their lives.
- Personalized Learning: We leverage secure online platforms like Refactored AI for remote learning. Its capabilities allow for personalized learning experiences, adapting difficulty and pace based on individual progress. Additionally, interactive simulations will solidify financial concepts in a safe and engaging environment.
- Adaptable for Classrooms: Students will have a trained leader to guide and support them. The course can be delivered in person or online, either synchronously or asynchronously. We will provide instructions to teachers or homeschooling parents. As an all-in-one package, it will be teachable in all learning situations.
Examples of Educational Content:
- Understanding Money Management: Students learn core financial concepts like budgeting, saving, and responsible credit use.
- Financial Goal Setting: The program guides students in setting realistic financial goals, considering the 7th Generation principle, and planning for their future.
- Building Financial Identity: Financial knowledge empowers young people to develop a positive financial identity, fostering self-confidence and reducing feelings of vulnerability in the financial system.
Why This Approach?
- Culturally Relevant: Tailoring the curriculum to each tribe's cultural context ensures its relevance and effectiveness.
- Long-Term Impact: Early financial literacy education equips youth with the knowledge and skills for lifelong financial success.
- Empowers Future Generations: By fostering financial understanding alongside cultural values, we empower future generations to achieve economic self-determination within their communities.
Mobile and Broadband: Ensuring Financial Education for All Youth
Our solution removes limitations to financial education for youth, whether or not they have access through their tribes. Mobile and broadband delivery bridges this gap, providing essential financial literacy programs and empowering all youth with the knowledge they need.
Solution Informed by the Community:
Community members from the La Posta (Kumeyaay) and Pauma (Luiseño) reservations have specifically requested financial education programs. Our team's expertise in delivering culturally relevant financial workshops for youth provides a strong foundation for this product.
Which Indigenous community(s) does your solution benefit? In what ways will your solution benefit this community?
Target Market
Federally recognized Kumeyaay and Luiseno tribes in San Diego County, a market that reflects broader challenges in Indian Country. Although eight of our tribes have successful casinos, others remain economically disadvantaged.
Target Population
Our primacy is to serve the 3,000 young people from the Indian reservations. However, our work extends beyond tribal members alone. Our inclusive rationale targets k-12 learners, including youth from the following background:
- Individuals with cultural ties to Native communities (by lineage, family, marriage, or social connection).
- Native Americans as defined under 45 CFR §1336.10 and Native American Pacific Islanders as defined in Section 815 of NAPA.
- Children of employees and contractors working within Indian Country.
- Other children who live in tribal communities.
Indigenous-Led, Community-Embedded
Native Finance is a Native-American-led, community-based nonprofit (IRC§501(c)3), founded in close collaboration with San Diego County's tribal communities. Our deep immersion in the community informs our entire approach.
Understanding Needs
Tribal educators and parents strongly advocate for financial education, especially to youth in our community. The leaders recognize the youth's unique adaptability and intuitive use of modern technology.
Collaborative Solution Development & Involvement
Our culturally tailored services are designed in partnership with communities. In addition to ongoing feedback mechanisms, community members are involved through:
- Participation on Steering Committees: Community members have a voice in shaping the development of our digital education for youths.
- Interaction with Their Own Financial Plans: We empower youths with personalized financial roadmaps.
- Ongoing Coaching: Financial coaching provides long-term support and guidance, further fostering self-sufficiency.
- Youth-Centered Financial Education: Programs tailored to the unique needs and experiences of tribal youth are a cornerstone of our approach.
Benefits Extend Beyond Individuals
Our Native-centric educational solution provides benefits beyond community youth to include:
- Tribal governments seeking economic development tools.
- Social impact investors and foundations aligned with our mission of social justice and structural equity.
- Community volunteers seeking meaningful ways to give back.
- Banks fulfilling their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) obligations, who need culturally competent partners.
By prioritizing culturally relevant financial education for youth, Native Finance paves the way for a replicable model that can empower Native American communities across Indian Country.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
Our team is deeply embedded in the Native communities, making us ideally suited to design and deliver solutions for this target population.
Cultural Leader: Our cultural leader ensures respectful engagement guided by the 7th Generation philosophy. Their understanding of cultural protocols and values grounds our work in the community's way of life. The Cultural Leader is also a certified financial professional trained in applying trauma-informed approach.
Financial Expert: This team member brings 20 years of culturally concordant financial planning experience within Native communities. Her deep understanding, also utilizing a trauma-informed approach, enables us to translate financial concepts into practical knowledge tailored to the unique needs within the communities we serve.
Curriculum Development Expert: Our curriculum developer brings a unique blend of expertise. As a college math professor, she understands complex concepts and how to teach them effectively. Her experience training teachers ensures our financial literacy content is engaging for young learners. Additionally, her homeschooling background provides insights into individual learning styles, helping our program foster both financial knowledge and essential life skills.
EdTech Architect: Our EdTech Architect has a proven track record building and launching successful cyber solutions in startup environments. For Native Finance, he is involved with all strategic planning, selecting platforms, and designing our infrastructure.
Furthermore, we incorporate collaborative design and implementation. Community members are involved at every stage. Here is how we meaningfully incorporate their inputs, ideas, and agendas:
- Comprehensive Needs Analysis: Our initial in-depth ethnographic market research, with interviews and surveys, goes beyond assessing current banking practices. We prioritize understanding cultural values, financial goals, and the specific challenges and aspirations of community members.
- Iterative Design and Testing: Community members are essential participants in the iterative testing of our learning programs and products. We'll involve them in focus groups and individual testing sessions, actively soliciting feedback and incorporating it into future iterations.
- Youth-Centered Curriculum: The design of our financial education curriculum will be directly shaped by the input we gather from youth focus groups. We'll explore their preferred learning styles, technology preferences, and ideas for integrating traditional economic knowledge.
- Open Communication and Transparency: We are committed to ongoing communication with the community. Regular public meetings with subject matter experts and stakeholders will provide updates on progress, allow for questions, and create space for continuous feedback.
- Tribal Steering Committees: We will establish steering committees comprised of tribal members and others tied to our community, ensuring that they have direct input into our governance and strategic direction. These committees will work closely with project leadership to ensure sustained alignment between community goals and our operations.
Continuous Evolution
We recognize that community needs and priorities may evolve. Our approach is designed for adaptability. Through ongoing engagement, regular evaluations, and a willingness to adjust our programs and services, we will ensure our education program remains responsive to the changing needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. This combination of expertise and community involvement ensures our educational approach is both engaging and empowering, building financial literacy from a Native culture perspective.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Drive positive outcomes for Indigenous learners of any age and context through culturally grounded educational opportunities.Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
ConceptWhy are you applying to Solve?
We seek the following assistance from Solve to address barriers to financial education faced by youths on the reservation:
Native Finance passionately believes that financial literacy is the key to empowering Native American youth to build strong economic futures for themselves and their communities. Yet, we face a complex set of barriers that hinder our ability to provide this crucial education at scale. Partnering with the MIT Solve 2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to address these challenges and create lasting impact.
Barriers to Overcome
- Talent and Expertise: Scaling our impact requires specialized skills. We need expert advisors, mentors, and experienced board members well-versed in financial education, curriculum design, technology integration, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Legal and Regulatory: Navigating the financial and educational landscape is complex. We need assistance from professionals in legal and regulatory matters to ensure our curriculum aligns with best practices and promotes sound financial decision-making within Native communities.
How MIT Solve Can Help
MIT Solve's model is the perfect match for our needs, extending beyond fundraising to provide the strategic support vital to our success:
- Building a Skilled Team: The Solve network could connect us with talent pools of experts, Native and non-Native, in curriculum development, educational technology, and financial literacy. These mentors would elevate our work, ensuring it is innovative, effective, and aligned with student needs.
- Navigating the Landscape: Legal and regulatory advisors provided by Solve could offer guidance on issues specific to Native communities. This support would allow us to gather and report data according to Institutional Review Board standards and create a sustainable model that respects both financial best practices and cultural traditions.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Solve's focus on partnerships aligns with our belief in collaboration. Connections with like-minded organizations could amplify our work, allowing us to incorporate diverse perspectives, expand reach, and build a powerful coalition.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Cynthia Tam
Please indicate the tribal affiliation of your Team Lead.
None
How is your Team Lead connected to the community or communities in which your project is based?
Building Trust and Understanding with Native Communities
Our Team Lead Cynthia's connection to Native communities goes beyond simple demographics. Though not Native herself, her experiences as an immigrant allow her to empathize with the challenges faced by the community and understand cultural nuances. As a result, Cynthia has cultivated deep and trusting relationships over the past two decades through her work as a financial advisor to community members and government entities.
For 20 years, Cynthia has had the privilege of collaborating with tribal leaders and citizens on reservations. This experience has instilled in her a profound respect for Native cultures and a deep understanding of the unique challenges these communities face.
Beyond Years, Building Bridges
However, Cynthia recognizes that years of experience alone don't equate to cultural expertise. Throughout this journey, she actively sought to learn and build trust. Here's how:
- Active Listening: By focusing on the needs and perspectives shared by tribal leaders and citizens, a culture with open communication has been instrumental in shaping project goals that truly resonate with the communities.
- Ongoing Collaboration: Native Finance Strong isn't a one-time interaction. We're committed to ongoing collaboration with tribal councils, educators, and community members to ensure our financial education application remains culturally relevant and impactful.
- Cultural Sensitivity Training: Cynthia and all team members have participated in cultural sensitivity training to gain deeper understanding of the nuances within Native communities we serve.
Building a Sustainable Future Together
Cynthia’s experience, combined with our commitment to respectful collaboration and ongoing learning, positions us well to develop a project that empowers Native communities. We aim to build a bridge, not just deliver a solution.
What makes your solution innovative?
Native Finance Strong is a significantly improved solution to deliver financial education for indigenous youth.
1. Accessibility as the Core Focus
Due to unreliable or limited broadband access on reservations, many financial literacy programs exist in offline text-based modules and pre-recorded video format. We emphasize designing for low-bandwidth environments in Indian Country, augmenting the 2021 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Initiatives.
2. Cultural Integration Over Customization
Instead of simply adapting generic financial lessons, we weave cultural relevance into the fabric of the program. This could make the content more relatable, empowering, and increase long-term retention for Native learners. An example is to use salmon fishing stories from the Northwest tribes for discussion about strategic use of resources and tying the concept of delayed gratification and long-term benefits.
3. Grassroots, Community-Driven
Actively engaging tribal members and community leaders ensures the solution is not just for Native communities but built with them. This approach fosters ownership and addresses challenges others might miss due to a lack of that insider perspective. For example, we highlight tax planning for youth who will receive high income from their tribal casinos. We emphasize savings (especially for retirement) for other youth without this source of income.
4. Potential for Catalytic Impact
- Blueprint for others:
Our success in developing a culturally-sensitive, low-bandwidth financial education solution could serve as a replicable template for serving other underserved communities facing similar access challenges (rural areas, low-income urban populations, etc.).
- Changing the Narrative: By demonstrating that financial literacy can be both engaging and effective for Native youth, we have the potential to challenge stereotypes and inspire other organizations to invest in culturally-responsive empowerment programs.
- Empowering a Generation: Equipping Native youth with financial knowledge not only fosters individual well-being but could lead to more informed financial decisions on a community level, bolstering tribal economic health across generations.
5. How We Could Change the Market/Landscape:
- Forcing Accessibility to the Forefront: Native Finance Strong could pressure other ed-tech and financial education providers to consider accessibility more holistically, ensuring their solutions don't perpetuate further inequities.
- Prioritizing Cultural Relevance: Our success could inspire a shift away from one-size-fits-all financial education toward models that actively engage specific communities in content creation and design.
- Increased Demand for Community-Led Solutions: We could spark a movement where investors and funders are more likely to support financial education programs that demonstrate collaborative approaches and a deep understanding of their target audience.
Describe in simple terms how and why you expect your solution to have an impact on the problem.
Theory of Change
Native Finance Strong addresses a critical need: providing accessible, culturally relevant financial education to Indigenous youth, empowering them to build financial stability and contribute positively to their communities. Our theory of change is rooted in research by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and our own surveys, highlighting barriers faced by Native youth and the unique aspects of our solution.
Problem
Limited broadband access, the prevalence of generic financial education materials, and a lack of culturally tailored approaches perpetuate financial knowledge gaps for many Indigenous youth. Also, only youth from wealthy tribes typically receive some financial education, while others within the tribal community – including youth from less affluent tribes and employee's families – go without. This perpetuates disparities and hinders individual and community economic well-being.
Activities:
- Low-Bandwidth Design: We design our curriculum for offline or limited connectivity environments, prioritizing core concepts delivered through text-based modules, pre-recorded videos, and simple interactive tools. This complements and supports federal and local tribal broadband initiatives.
- Integrated Cultural Relevance: We go beyond adaptation, weaving storytelling traditions (e.g., Northwest tribal salmon fishing stories) and community-specific examples (e.g., tax planning for casino income) into learning, promoting engagement and retention.
- Community-Centered Collaboration: Focus groups, tribal leader input, and potential youth involvement in content creation will foster a sense of ownership. This allows us to address unique needs that outsiders might miss.
Immediate Outputs:
- Increased Access: Our solution overcomes technological barriers, reaching a broader pool of community youth than traditional in-person or high-bandwidth programs.
- Broaden Engagement: Culturally relevant content and community involvement will increase interest and participation in financial education.
- Improved Knowledge: Tailored materials will lead to greater comprehension of budgeting, saving, investing, and other financial fundamentals.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Informed Financial Decision-making: youth who are equipped with this knowledge will make more informed choices about spending, saving, and debt management, leading to improved individual financial health.
- Community Economic Empowerment: Increased financial literacy will foster responsible wealth management and build foundational skills for future entrepreneurship, strengthening tribal economies.
- Intergenerational Impact: Today's empowered Native youth are more likely to pass on financially responsible practices to future generations, creating a positive cycle.
Catalytic Potential:
Native Finance aims to be a model for:
- Serving Underserved Populations: Our success will provide a blueprint for similar solutions targeting Indian Country and other rural or marginalized communities with limited internet access.
- Challenging Biases: Demonstrating the success of tailored financial education for Native youth pushes back against harmful stereotypes and may lead to increased investment in similar culturally responsive programs.
- Market Transformation: Our program can create pressure on the financial education sector to prioritize accessibility and cultural sensitivity, benefiting a wider range of learners.
Evaluation
We will track program participation, completion rates, and pre/post-knowledge assessments. Longer-term, we will explore partnerships with tribal entities to track indicators of financial well-being and community-level economic outcomes.
What are your impact goals for your solution and how are you measuring your progress towards them?
Native Finance Strong has three Sustainable Development Goals
1. Quality Education (SDG 4)
Year One Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year one (timeframe), 30 community youth (population) will have been observed, with their data forming the basis of improvement from our program.
Year One Target + Indicator:
25% increase (target) in knowledge scores (indicator).
Year Two Object + Outcome:
By the end of year two (timeframe), 50 community youth (population) will have been observed, with their data forming the basis of improvement from our program.
50% increase (target) in knowledge scores (indicator).
Year Three Object + Outcome:
By the end of year three (timeframe), 100 community youth (population) will have been observed, with their data forming the basis of improvement from our program.
75% increase (target) in knowledge scores (indicator).
2. Maintaining Cultural Relevance in Financial Education:
Year One Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year one (timeframe), six community members representing both gaming and non-gaming tribes in San Diego County (population) will have established the cultural relevance baseline for our curriculum.
50% (target) will provide positive feedback (indicator).
Year Two Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year two (timeframe), six community members representing both gaming and non-gaming tribes in San Diego County (population) will have provided their level of satisfaction with the cultural relevance of our curriculum.
80% (target) will provide positive feedback (indicator).
Year Three Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year three (timeframe), six community members representing both gaming and non-gaming tribes in San Diego County (population) will have provided their level of satisfaction with the cultural relevance of our curriculum.
90% (target) will provide positive feedback (indicator).
3. Partnerships for Our Goals (SDG 17)
Year One Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year one (timeframe), form collaborative partnerships with tribes or Native American institutions in San Diego County (population) to integrate the culturally relevant Native Finance Strong program into their youth development offerings. These partnerships will increase program reach and ensure long-term sustainability, empowering Indigenous youth with essential financial skills grounded in ancestral knowledge (outcome).
1 (target) new partnership (indicator).
Year Two Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year two (timeframe), add collaborative partnerships tribes or Native American institutions in San Diego County (population) to integrate the culturally relevant Native Finance Strong program into their youth development offerings. These partnerships will increase program reach and ensure long-term sustainability, empowering Indigenous youth with essential financial skills grounded in ancestral knowledge (outcome).
2 (target) new partnerships (indicator).
Year Three Objective + Outcome:
By the end of year three (timeframe), add collaborative partnerships tribes or Native American institutions in San Diego County (population) to integrate the culturally relevant Native Finance Strong program into their youth development offerings. These partnerships will increase program reach and ensure long-term sustainability, empowering Indigenous youth with essential financial skills grounded in ancestral knowledge (outcome).
3 (target) new partnerships(indicator).
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
Leveraging Refractured AI for Personalized Learning
Native Finance Strong will leverage the capabilities of Refractored AI to personalize the learning experience and track progress for Indigenous youth. Refractured AI's technology, specifically its focus on culturally aware and age-appropriate content, aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering a relevant and engaging financial education program.
Here's a breakdown of how Refractored AI might be used:
Culturally Aware Content Creation: Refractured AI's capabilities could assist in analyzing and integrating culturally relevant examples, stories, and language into the course materials. This could involve tasks like:
- Identifying opportunities to weave in folktales or traditions relevant to specific tribes.
- Tailoring financial concepts to the specific economic realities faced by Indigenous communities.
- Ensuring the language used resonates with the target age group.
Personalized Learning Paths: Refractured AI might analyze user interactions and performance data to suggest appropriate learning paths for each youth. This could involve:
- Recommending modules or activities based on individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Adapting the difficulty level of content based on the learner's progress.
- Providing alternative learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to cater to different preferences.
Progress Monitoring and Assessment: Refractured AI could be used to create formative assessments that are culturally unbiased and provide clear, actionable feedback. This might include:
- Developing interactive quizzes or exercises that adapt to the learner's understanding.
- Offering personalized feedback that highlights areas for improvement and celebrates achievements.
- Generating reports for educators or mentors to track progress and identify potential learning gaps.
- Bias Mitigation as a Core Component
We will work closely with the Refractored AI team to train and refine our AI models, actively seeking to identify and address unconscious bias that might seep into language, examples, or the algorithmic decision-making process.
Overall, by integrating Refractured AI, Native Finance Strong aims to create a dynamic learning system that:
- Respects and celebrates cultural heritage
- Tailors the learning experience to individual needs
- Provides clear and impartial measurement of progress
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new application of an existing technology
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
In which parts of the US and/or Canada do you currently operate?
San Diego County, California.
Which, if any, additional parts of the US or Canada will you be operating in within the next year?
Not applicable.
How many people work on your solution team?
5 people work on the Native Finance Strong solution team:
Team Lead: one part-time
Cultural Lead: one part-time
EdTech Lead: one part-time
AI Contractor: one part-time
Curriculum Designer: one part-time volunteer
How long have you been working on your solution?
Our work on the Native Finance Strong solution began six-months ago when we received an Administration for Native Americans grant to establish a native Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI).
We recognize that financial education is a critical component of our mission, empowering community members to make informed financial decisions in a culturally relevant way.
We're harnessing our team's diverse expertise in cultural sensitivity, financial planning, tax, insurance, investment, technology, and curriculum development to create the holistic Native Finance Strong program. This innovative approach integrates cutting-edge AI technology to empower Native youths for financial success.
Tell us about how you ensure that your team is diverse, minimizes barriers to opportunity for staff, and provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all team members.
The Native Finance Strong team embodies a diverse range of experiences, identities, and perspectives. We have members who are Native and non-Native, representing various national origins, including first-generation Asian Americans and immigrants. We come from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, with formal education levels ranging from high school to advanced degrees. All of us have overcome adversity, including experiences of systemic racism, poverty, and lack of representation.
Our team balances genders and encompasses multiple generations – Millennials and Gen Zers working together as parents dedicated to creating a better future for the next Seven Generations.
Beyond these demographics, we value the richness of our individual life experiences. We've faced challenges such as divorce, loss, and financial hardship as single parents or sole earners. These experiences heighten our empathy and fuel our drive for equity and inclusion, shaping our commitment to building a more just world through financial education for Native youths.
Goals and Actions for DEI:
- Ongoing Learning: We're committed to continuous education on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek training opportunities and resources to understand and address unconscious bias within our team.
- Inclusive Recruitment: We will actively expand our network to hire and train staff from our Native communities and attract talent from underrepresented backgrounds, ensuring diverse perspectives in leadership and decision-making.
- Culturally Appropriate Training: We partner with Oweesta, a Native CDFI intermediary, to provide our staff with Certified Financial Coach training. These courses deepen our understanding of the community we serve and ensure our approach aligns with and respects Native cultural values.
- Mentorship: We will create mentorship programs within our organization, pairing experienced team members with new team members, fostering a culture of support and growth.
This focus on DEI is not just a box to check; it's woven into the fabric of our mission. We believe our diverse experiences empower us to create a truly inclusive and culturally relevant financial education program for Native communities.
What is your business model?
The Native Finance Strong solution reimagines financial education for youth in Native American communities, bridging the knowledge gap to empower future generations and break cycles of financial hardship. We understand that access to culturally relevant, technology-driven education is key to building sustainable financial well-being.
Core Value Proposition
We offer a unique blend of value to our key customers and beneficiaries:
- Native Youth: Our AI-powered digital app delivers engaging, interactive financial education tailored to the lived experiences of Native youth. Age-appropriate modules cover budgeting, savings, responsible credit use, investing basics, and navigating financial landscapes both on and off reservations. Personalized AI feedback fosters self-directed learning and encourages youth to take ownership of their financial journeys.
- Tribal Communities: By investing in youth, we invest in communities. Our program strengthens financial resilience, reduces reliance on predatory financial services, and supports a generation of leaders equipped to make informed economic decisions. Data-driven outcomes demonstrate our long-term impact, aligning with tribal priorities for self-sufficiency and prosperity.
- Tribal Schools, Libraries, and Community Organizations: We act as strategic partners, providing a comprehensive curriculum, educator training, and ongoing support to integrate financial literacy into existing youth programs. Our accessible app and resources bridge the gap left by limited access to financial resources and role models.
How We Deliver Value
- Community-Driven Design: Collaboration with tribes, educators, and youth ensures our app and curriculum address the most pressing needs and challenges, respecting cultural nuances and traditional knowledge systems.
- Iterative Development: Continuous feedback loops with users and community partners inform ongoing app refinements, data analysis, and curriculum enhancements, ensuring our program remains relevant and impactful.
- Culturally Responsive AI: We harness the power of AI ethically, crafting algorithms that provide constructive, encouraging feedback without perpetuating biases. Content and guidance are designed to be accessible and relatable to Native youth.
Why We are Needed
- Urgent Need: Native communities often lack tailored financial education resources. Our program fills that gap, equipping youth with the essential skills to navigate a complex financial world with confidence.
- Empowerment: We counter the effects of historical financial exclusion, providing tools and knowledge that build individual agency and financial self-determination.
- Breaking the Cycle: By educating youth today, we prevent the perpetuation of financial instability into future generations, fostering economic well-being within communities from the ground up.
Sustainable Revenue Model
We employ a diversified revenue strategy to ensure the longevity and scalability of our program:
- Freemium Model: Offer a basic version of our app with core financial concepts for free. Upgraded features, advanced modules, or personalized coaching are available at premium subscription levels.
- Grant Funding: Securing grants from foundations and government agencies committed to Native empowerment and financial literacy.
- Institutional Partnerships: Fee-based partnerships with schools, tribal education programs, and community libraries for access to our curriculum and app.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Aligning with companies with CSR initiatives focused on financial education or supporting Native communities.
Our impact transcends individual financial success. We create ripple effects throughout communities, provide the foundation to build lasting wealth, and pave the way for tribes to achieve financial sovereignty.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable, and what evidence can you provide that this plan has been successful so far?
Funding Sources for Native Finance Strong
Native Finance Strong has a sustainable model that enables us to fulfill our mission of delivering high-quality, culturally relevant financial education to youth in indigenous communities. We are pursuing a diversified revenue strategy that balances initial development costs with long-term sustainability.
Our organization's ability to secure significant funding demonstrates the promise of our model. We have received a $1.2 million grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to establish a pilot for a sustainable and scalable Native CDFI. This success validates our approach and allows us to create a strong foundation for our financial education program, making us an even more attractive candidate for the MIT Indigenous Fellowship.
Here's our detailed plan:
- Foundation Grants and Corporate Sponsorships: We're actively seeking grant funding from foundations focused on education, Native communities, and technology for social good. We'll also pursue corporate sponsorships aligned with our mission.
- Tribal Partnerships: We aim to secure agreements with tribal governments and schools for direct sales of our program. This could involve a per-student cost ($125 as an example), subscription models, or service contracts.
- Freemium Model: A freemium model will allow us to offer core financial education modules for free, attracting a wider user base. We'll charge for premium features, advanced modules, or more intensive personalization.
Phased Development and Funding
Phase 1: Initial Development ($325,000): Secure funding to develop a functional app with strong AI integration and foundational content, emphasizing community collaboration for culturally resonant design.
Phase 2: Refinement and Expansion ($175,000): Focus on data-driven improvement of AI and content, regular updates, curriculum expansion, and continued partnership development for implementation and additional revenue streams.
Balancing Impact and Sustainability
We understand the importance of demonstrating value to secure ongoing support and funding. Our phased approach allows us to build a solid foundation and prove our impact before pursuing a wider range of revenue streams.
Potential Additional Revenue Streams (Future)
- Investment Capital: If we demonstrate significant traction, we might explore raising investment capital to accelerate the development of premium features and expansion into new markets.
- Partnerships with Financial Institutions: Explore potential partnerships for co-branded educational resources or access to specific populations for increased reach.
Overall, our revenue model prioritizes grants for development and launch in our local Native communities. By demonstrating success and establishing partnerships, we aim to create a self-sustaining model that will empower thousands of Native youths for generations to come.
Solution Team
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Cynthia Tam Native Finance Development Corporation
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Our Organization
Native Finance Development Corporation, an emerging Native Community Development Finance Institution