Mission, Goals and Values of the Assets Alliance

Mission of the Assets Alliance

The Assets Alliance is a membership organization of experienced professionals from the Individual Development Account (IDA) and asset-building fields dedicated to expanding the number of individuals and families participating in IDAs and asset-building opportunities by advancing communications and sharing effective practices, resources and tools with the field and among technical assistance providers.

Goals of the Assets Alliance

The Alliance’s goals for accomplishing this mission are three-fold:

• To assist the IDA and asset-building field by sharing up-to-date effective practices, resources, and tools gleaned from the provision of technical assistance and training,
• To strengthen the caliber of technical assistance and training provision by developing a highly qualified team of member consultants through the provision of ongoing learning, networking, and communication, and
• To provide training and technical assistance on a wide range of asset-building strategies to direct service organizations and their partners including financial institutions, funders, intermediary organizations, government agencies, and others at local, regional and national levels.

Core Values of the Assets Alliance

Underpinning the mission statement are the following values of the Assets Alliance:

• Focus on asset builders. Individual and families with low income and low wealth who do and could benefit from asset-building strategies are at the center of all Alliance activities.
• Mutual benefit. The results of collaboration, information sharing, and professional development benefit each member, the field, and ultimately and most importantly, the individuals served by asset-building opportunities greater than each member working individually.
• Mutual responsibility. The Alliance is owned and operated by its membership. By active participation, open communications, and positive support, the members are responsible to one another and the Alliance as a whole.
• Contribution of time, talent and treasure. The Alliance is a result of members using their skills, knowledge and resources to benefit the organization and the asset building field.
• Integrity and honesty in dialogue. Each member of the Alliance has individual businesses and potentially multiple interests with respect to the direction of the Alliance, its works, and its partnerships. In some instances these interests may seem to be in conflict. By discussing individual interests with respect to Alliance goals and strategy openly and honestly, the field, the Alliance and the members will be best served.
• Confidentiality. Alliance members may at times experience challenges with their work. The Alliance must be a safe place to discuss these challenges, get support, and solicit ideas and resources to address individual concerns.
• Choice in technical assistance provider. Field members can and should have choices regarding who provides technical assistance to them. The Alliance provides practitioners and organizations who serve them direct access to providers best suited to meet their needs.
• Low to minimal overhead. The Assets Alliance aims to keep its overhead costs minimal to ensure important resources are not directed away from asset builders and the programs dedicated to extending asset-building opportunities to them.
• Operated by consultants who run and maintain active consulting practices. The Assets Alliance wants to ensure its leadership remains connected to its membership and the field. By running the Alliance only part-time, management team members do not become focused on fundraising to maintain salaries and staffing levels and are instead, focused on providing the time and skills necessary to run the Alliance as effectively and efficiently as possible.