Capital Area Asset Builders was founded on the belief that all people, regardless of economic status, are capable of putting aside one dollar today as a down payment on a more prosperous future. It supports the creation of Individual and Marriage Development Accounts (called IDAs and MDAs). Individuals contribute their savings and CAAB raises, manages, and provides "matching" funds. It couples these with financial education classes and credit counseling. The idea is to encourage low-income individuals to develop regular savings habits and invest in financial assets that increase in value over time - homeownership, postsecondary education, vocational and job training, and small business development. CAAB also manages two citywide public-private coalitions: the DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign (outreach and education on tax benefits and free tax prep for low-wage workers) and DC Saves (information, advice, and financial products and services to reduce debt, encourage saving, and build wealth). In a vital community everyone has incentives and opportunities to save for the future. Won't you invest too?
IN THE MEDIA
Financial Literacy Fair To Offer Free Tax HelpPosted Thu Mar 19 2009 by Capital Area Asset Builders DC Saves will present its 2nd Annual Financial Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4 at THEARC, Boys and Girls Club, 1901 Mississipi Ave. SE. This citywide free Financial Literacy Fair features financial workshops and resource information, credit reports and counseling, no-strings-attached sessions with Certified Financial Planners, free tax-preparation and electronic filing for income-eligible filers, prizes and giveaways, a $500 savings bond drawing, and more
More People Will Qualify for Tax Credit, But Many Don't Know ItPosted Wed Feb 18 2009 by Capital Area Asset Builders WAMU reporter Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with CAAB's Executive Director Colleen Dailey about the DC EITC Campaign's efforts to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit--a valuable tax benefit for people who work. The DC EITC Campaign provides free tax preparation and e-filing services throughout tax season to help families claim and keep the money they've earned. Learn more at www.dceitc.org.
Local Non-Profit Helps D.C. Residents With TaxesPosted Sat Jan 31 2009 by Capital Area Asset Builders WAMU's Jessica Forres reports on the DC EITC Campaign's kick-off for the 2009 tax season. Eleven free tax preparation sites are open throughout the District through April 15 to help low- and moderate-income residents claim and keep the money they've earned. Additional resources at the tax sites will help connect families with valuable income and other supports designed to help them move up the economic ladder.
Giving A Credit Where It's DuePosted Thu Jan 29 2009 by Capital Area Asset Builders The Washington Post helped to spread the word about Capital Area Asset Builders' DC EITC Campaign kick off. The DC EITC Campaign is a citywide, cross-sector initiative that educates the public about income tax benefits that promote greater economic security. The Campaign informs taxpayers about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it and offers free tax preparation and other services throughout DC. Learn more about the DC EITC Campaign at www.dceitc.org.
Giving Thanks For Good People And Good DeedsPosted Sun Nov 23 2008 by Capital Area Asset Builders Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher spent some time in a CAAB Money Management class, learning about how our work helps support people in debt during these turbulent financial times. He includes CAAB in his list of good deeds and good people he's giving thanks for this holiday season.
