The Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) is the first local government initiative in the country with the specific mission to educate, empower, and protect individuals and families with low incomes. OFE creates innovative programs, products, and services for New Yorkers so they can build assets and make the most of their financial resources.

The Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) fights the cycle of poverty in New York City through innovative programs that build human capital and improve financial security. Launched by the Office of the Mayor in 2006, CEO works with both City agencies and the federal government to implement successful anti-poverty initiatives in New York and partner cities across the United States.​

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization that facilitates high-impact public-private partnerships throughout New York City’s five boroughs, including ‘Designing for Financial Empowerment’. As the City of New York’s primary non-profit partner, the Mayor’s Fund works to combine the reach of government with the creativity of the private sector. The Fund leverages individual, philanthropic, and corporate partnerships to support public programs advancing key Mayoral and agency priorities. The Mayor’s Fund is focused on supporting public programs in areas including mental health, youth workforce development, immigration and citizenship, domestic violence, financial empowerment and support for young men and women of color.

Parsons DESIS Lab practices a multi-disciplinary approach to social and service innovation, providing a unique capability to integrate theory, research and practice. The Parsons DESIS team for this project includes designers, and public policy experts from across The New School with areas of concentration including: financial empowerment in low-income communities, alternative financial services, and cross-sector partnerships focused on poverty alleviation and capacity building for community-based organizations.

Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years.  Recognized by the IRS as one of the largest coordinators of civilian tax assistance in the country, Food Bank For New York City provides free tax assistance services at locations citywide. In 2014 alone, Food Bank prepared more than 54,000 returns, resulting in $85 million in tax refunds for working families.

Citi Community Development leads Citi’s commitment to achieving financial inclusion and economic empowerment for underserved individuals, families and communities by working with nonprofit and public agencies across the country to expand access to financial products and services, build sustainable business solutions and forge innovative partnerships. This project is funded by the generous support of Citi Community Development.