Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Innovative Changes

Patch talks to Innovative Changes about the financial education tools it provides to the people of Portland.

Patch: Tell Patch a little bit about your organization!

Innovative Changes: We were founded in 2009 by Innovative Housing, Inc. (IHI), a nonprofit affordable housing developer serving low- and moderate-income residents. ICS was born out of the realization that people of low income need access to financial education and services that help them achieve and maintain household financial stability. We specialize in building the financial capabilities of people of low income by combining financial education with products and services that enable people to experience real improvement in financial stability.

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Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

Innovative Changes: Our guiding principles work to advance economic justice for those disenfranchised and excluded by the mainstream financial services sector, celebrate the diverse cultures of our communities by implementing culturally responsive programming and commit to building a strong, financially sustainable organization.

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Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

Innovative Changes: Reaching people of low income who need access to financial education and services that will assist them achieve and maintain household financial stability in a strategic manner that will impact low income families on a level that will create a dent in wealth gap.

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Patch: What do you hope for the future of you nonprofit?

Innovative Changes: In the future, I would like to see Innovative Changes become a household name and build the foundation for all low income families to gain access to financial education, small-dollar consumer loans, and access to credit building and asset building opportunities.