Revised December 2004
The District Bulletin is a resource listing of national and 12th District investment opportunities, research, and events relevant to community development. We encourage you to send your organization's announcement to the editor for a future bulletin.

Radio Opportunity to Deliver Your Financial Educational Message
Are you a bank, credit union or other financial service company looking for a vehicle to deliver financial education to the public and at the same time enhance your company brand? The California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCCF)—a nonprofit 501c3—has initiated a low power FM radio station (KDEE-97.7) for the purpose of creating a community talk radio format targeted at minority, bilingual and other underserved listeners.
    The CBCCF is currently seeking financial institutions to take advantage of this low-cost opportunity to create and underwrite financial education programming in several California markets. You will be given tremendous flexibility to design a program that suits your organization's goal and budget.
    To learn more about this emerging opportunity, visit their website, call the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation at 916/364-2400 or email Donna Lynem to discuss underwriting program opportunities.

CRA Eligibility for VITA Support
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer a valuable resource to low-income tax filers earning less than $35,000 to have their returns prepared at no cost. VITA sites are run solely on the efforts of volunteers and supported by the generosity of the community. Bank support of VITA sites is eligible for CRA credit. Following are some of the ways that banks can support VITA.

• Provide a grant to help offset the operating expenses associated with running a site outside normal business hours and to provide refreshments
• Assist a local initiative with the resources to expand outreach and marketing
• Provide in-kind support such as laptops or office supplies
• Host a VITA site at a branch location during office hours, weekends and Saturdays
• Provide volunteers to prepare returns at VITA sites
• Offer saving accounts or other appropriate products to unbanked tax filers so refunds can be direct deposited

  Act now! Locate a contact in your community to discuss how your institution can support a local VITA program. Through VITA sites, millions of Federal tax dollars can flow back into the pockets of low-wage workers and their resident communities.

Become a San Diego Saves Financial Institution
America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups help individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, the campaign is designed to assist those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement. America Saves has reached numerous communities over the last three years building local campaigns such as Cleveland Saves, Kansas City Saves, Arizona Saves and so on. America Saves is now looking at California and more specifically San Diego to embark on this wealth building initiative.
    Participation by local financial institutions is an essential component for a successful campaign. Many Savers will already have a bank account that they can use to build savings but there are also many unbanked San Diegans. Every Saver is assigned a Wealth Coach and the Wealth Coach needs a list of financial institutions and saving products to share with the Saver to get them started. The campaign is in need of financial institutions that can to offer an account.
    For more information on how you can participate please contact Patti Wooten-Swanson at 858/694-2850 or email Erica Opstad.

Reference, Resources and Other

EITC Supplement to Building Native Communities
Just in time for tax season, First Nations Development Institute and the Annie E. Casey Foundation have released a new participant’s workbook to help Native people claim and benefit from EITC refunds. The new workbook entitled, A Guide to Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, is written to supplement the original financial education curriculum or can stand alone.
     Copies of the workbook can be downloaded or ordered from the First Nations Development Institute. Want to learn more? Read Reclaiming Native American Tax Dollars, Community Investments, November 2003.

Understanding the New Metropolitan and Micropolitan Definitions
The latest report in the Living Cities Census Series, Tracking Metropolitan America in the 21st Century has just been released by The Brookings Institution. The 32-page report discusses the revised metropolitan classification system and analyzes the implications of the new definitions and areas on population distribution, community development and social service delivery. Comparative charts and graphs provide a fascinating perspective about geographic and demographic changes over the past decade. Download a copy.

NEW! Financial Literacy Website and Hotline
On October 12th, 2004 the federal government, through a partnership of twenty federal agencies, launched the mymoney.gov website and the 1-888-mymoney toll-free number. This new national financial education website and toll-free hotline together provide an easy to use service available in English and Spanish. The mymoney.gov website and the 1-888-mymoney hotline, will help Americans access information that can help them better understand their money––how to save it, invest it, and manage it wisely to meet important personal goals. The My Money Financial Tool Kit will be mailed free of charge to anyone placing an order through the website or toll-free number.
    The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) (Public Law 108-159 Section 511) signed by President Bush on December 4, 2003 established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission to improve the financial literacy and education of persons in the United States. The legislation specifically tasked the Commission with establishing and maintaining a website to serve as a coordinated point of entry to information about federal financial literacy and education programs, and to establish a toll-free hotline available to members of the public seeking information about issues pertaining to financial education.

Conferences and Workshops