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Previously, we explored the economic pressures facing low-income families. We showed how inflation erased a decade of wage gains for Lending Circle applicants and how the income gap between them and…

In our previous insights post, we found that inflation is outpacing the wage gains of the low-income families MAF serves, making it increasingly difficult for them to get by. But keeping up with risi…

Cecilia, a MAF client, told us a few months ago, “Almost everything has gone up…50%, 100%…”Fuel was $3.20, now it’s $5.00. It doesn’t go down, but [wages] don’t go up at the same rate…” C…

Graphic with arrow and house indicating rising costs

Cecilia was 34 weeks pregnant, the marks of domestic violence still fresh on her mind and her body, when she realized that she needed to run. Her daughter, Olivia, was not yet born, but the threat…

Imagine someone like Rosa…an immigrant who’s spent the last few years building her financial life in the U.S. She makes $28,000 a year, pays her bills on time, and has never missed a payment. She has…

First, her husband was detained. Then, her son. Learn how ALMA helped Maria’s family stay afloat during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Trust is foundational to everything in our lives, yet it is incredibly difficult to build. It requires intentionality. It takes time—even in the best of circumstances. And it can erode almost instant…

In our first webinar, we learned what happens when you start by listening: community shows up. In our second session, our nonprofit partners from Chicago and Los Angeles shared what that trust l…

On May 13th, 2026, we gathered for the second webinar in our three-part series on community conversations, and this one brought something different to the table. Instead of zooming out to look at dat…

What does it take for a family to truly rest? Not metaphorically, but literally: sleep through the night. That question was at the heart of what José Quiñonez, CEO of Mission Asset Fund, shared th…

Digital financial tools are everywhere. And yet, for millions of immigrant and low-income families, access alone isn’t the problem. Trust is. This year, MAF partnered with Remitly Foundation to find…

Read MAF CEO’s statement to discover how being “presente” shaped our response to community needs through financial tools, grants, and trusted support.

Maria Carmen’s story is one of transformation, determination, and the power of becoming visible. She arrived in the United States with dreams but without the tools to navigate an unfamiliar financial…

Low-income families are trapped in high-cost debt as wages stagnate and costs rise. Hear from MAF CEO and learn why better financial solutions are urgently needed—and how MAF is building them.

Low-income families are trapped in high-cost debt as wages stagnate and costs rise. Hear from MAF CEO and learn why better financial solutions are urgently needed—and how MAF is building them.

Welcome to our newest board member, Nare Jagroop! There is a phrase Nare returns to again and again, a kind of personal north star: When we help each other out, all boats float. For Nare, it is not j…

Learn how Harlem’s HCCI became the first MAF partner to circulate $1M through Lending Circles — turning community savings traditions into real credit gains.

Angela was at the park with her children when her phone rang. Her husband had been detained by ICE. Within 72 hours, he was deported to Guatemala—no hearing, no goodbye, no chance to fight. This is t…

When immigration headlines speak of fear and uncertainty, stories like Alicia’s show us what hope looks like in action. Across the country, millions of families live with quiet anxiety: parents af…

Dreams of building a prosperous future for her children brought Rosa from Honduras to the Bay Area. When that future was threatened by her partner’s detention and deportation, community support helpe…

Understand how immigration enforcement is reshaping daily life for families. Learn about our survey’s insights and how you can show up for immigrant communities in crisis.

Read how MAF is showing up for families impacted by immigration detention and deportation. Join us in providing critical help during this time of crisis.

From handyman to licensed California General Contractor: Follow Hugo’s journey of determination and resilience as he builds a thriving business with support from MAF’s programs.

Discover how Mission Asset Fund (MAF) builds financial success through deep listening and community. Learn how belonging and trust empower clients like Henry to achieve their dreams, from credit buil…

A Statement from MAF CEO: How MAF’s values-driven approach creates innovative financial solutions that empower immigrant and low-income families to build credit, start businesses, and secure their fu…

Sometimes necessity gives way to the entrepreneurial dream; when push came to shove and jobs in Mexico became hard to come by, Susana’s version of the American dream shifted to starting her own busin…

Learn how MAF helps DACA recipients with loan support for status renewals. See how one recipient turned uncertainty into action through community resources.

Discover how MAF’s community-centered research approach to user testing builds trust and connection in developing MIJA, an app empowering immigrants to navigate their journey with confidence.

Eden Church is a community hub that, in partnership with MAF, offers the Lending Circles program to support financial mobility. By combining MAF’s financial expertise with Eden Church’s strong commun…

Discover how MAF’s partnership with San Francisco’s OCEIA removes financial barriers to citizenship for immigrant families, transforming dreams into reality through critical funding support for work…

MAF’s impact starts with listening and building relationships. Over time, it ripples in different ways in the context of each client’s life.

Over the years, we’ve teamed up with 100+ nonprofits to deliver $21M+ in small-dollar loans to low-income communities.

Discover how MAF’s deep listening approach fosters meaningful community connections and drives impactful financial solutions. Learn how we co-create programs that empower low-income and immigrant com…

The U.S. Congress is advancing legislation, like the Laken Riley Act, that threatens to fast-track immigrant deportations under the guise of targeting “criminals,” echoing a troubling history of poli…

From a small stand at the Berryessa Flea Market to becoming a successful business owner, Mario’s inspiring journey shows that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible – starting with ju…

Learn about how the Coachella Immigrant Families Recovery Program is transforming lives through monthly cash assistance. From helping families create lasting memories to fostering community bonds, th…

Dear friends,  As the news of the presidential election sets in, there is a saying in Spanish that comes to mind: la cultura, cura. It’s a simple idea that centers my mind on what’s important…

Welcome to our newest board member, Ash McNeely! With decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to bridging the gap between community needs and…

MAF is thrilled to welcome Anne Stuhldreher, a seasoned champion for economic justice and financial inclusion, to our board of directors.

MAF welcomes former MAFistas Daniel Lau to the Board of Directors! Daniel’s deep experience in social justice philanthropy is invaluable as we expand financial access for immigrant and low-income com…

MAF survey for DACA recipients reveals key barriers to pursuing lawful permanent residency. MAF is developing a My Immigration Journey App (MIJA) to address these barriers and support immigrants on t…

At MAF, we believe in empowering communities to navigate financial challenges and achieve economic prosperity. When news reached us about the potential displacement of vendors at the historic Berrye…

We are excited to share the latest updates from our webinar series featuring insights from the largest guaranteed income program for low-income immigrant families. Our recent webinar, “From Cash to C…

When Matilde first immigrated to the United States she imagined it would be easy to start her life anew. She says, “We left everything looking for something better.”  Leaving behind a 20-year career…

Trump’s vision of mass deportations is going unchallenged. MAF stands with immigrant communities and is partnering with immigration legal experts to help them navigate the process of obtaining legal…

Small Business Month is a time to recognize the incredible impact small businesses have on our communities and economy. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Cuztumly Crafted, a San Francisco-based app…

Exciting news for immigrant families! Biden’s policies offer new paths to stability & opportunity. MAF is ready to support with zero-interest immigration loans. Learn more & join us in creati…

Exciting news for immigrant families! Biden’s policies offer new paths to stability & opportunity. MAF is ready to support with zero-interest immigration loans. Learn more & join us in creati…

Graduation season is in full swing and we are thrilled to share MAF CEO José Quinonez delivered an unforgettable commencement address to the University of San Francisco’s School of Management graduat…

MAF is inviting nonprofit organizations in Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles to join our Lending Circles Partner Network. Selected applicants will receive valuable benefits, including training, techn…

Join us as we welcome the Education & Leadership Foundation (ELF) to MAF’s Lending Circles partner network!

Understanding the ever-changing context of immigrant families’ lives is key to how nonprofits best show up for the families they serve.

Tammy’s story is one of an undocumented single mother from Honduras who overcame heartbreak, COVID-19, and other challenges to secure a better future for herself and her two children.

In a time of exclusion and uncertainty, Eduardo’s unshakeable spirit and savvy kept him and his family going during the pandemic.

Understanding the ever-changing context of immigrant families’ lives is key to how nonprofits best show up for the families they serve.

Like many families that we talked to, Diana faced the pandemic as just one challenge in her life, yet she found a way to overcome and keep moving forward for her daughter.

We’re excited to announce MAF’s next Lending Circles roadshow, coming soon in Spring 2024!

MAF is excited to announce the launch of a new way for our community to access financial education. The MAF Learning Hub is an online platform that offers culturally relevant financial education and…

Amidst financial hardship and exclusion, immigrant families have shown incredible resilience and courage, utilizing entrepreneurship as a key financial strategy during the pandemic.

We’re welcoming 4 new partners to our Lending Circles Network!

We designed the Immigrant Families Recovery Program to deepen not only our community relationships, but also our knowledge about their financial lives. Our research aims to inform the conversation on…

We are honored to have the renowned portrait photographer, Annie Leibovitz, capture the image of our founder and CEO, José Quiñonez. Leibovitz’s work is well-known and respected worldwide, and we a…

A letter from MAF CEO José Quiñonez.

Efrain Segundo Orozco, MAF’s Financial Education and Education Manager, write about the power of a flexible framework.

MAF board member Monica Issar calls herself a “living testament” to the importance of financial tools for the people.

With the Motley Fool Foundation, we’re uplifting the stories and challenges facing immigrant communities as they work to improve their financial security.

As a mother and small business owner, Eva has achieved a lot in life. This year, Eva brought another dream to life: becoming a homeowner.

John A. Sobrato wins the MAF Padrino Award for supporting San Mateo County immigrant families.

Jenny Flores wins the MAF Madrina Award for her lifelong commitment to serving immigrant families and steadfast partnership with MAF.

We celebrated our journey alongside clients, partners, funders, board members, and MAFistas.

DACA turns 10 this year. Two DACA recipients, Shanique and Miguel, share how the program has impacted their lives.

In the final episode of our first season, MAF CEO José Quiñonez sits down with Efrain Segundo, MAF Financial Education and Engagement Manager. They outline a better way forward beyond cash, one that…

In episode 4 of Cafecito con MAF, hear from April Yee, Senior Program Officer at College Futures Foundation and a trusted MAF partner.

In episode 3 of Cafecito con MAF, hear behind-the-scenes stories of how MAF launched the Rapid Response Fund from MAFistas Rocio Rodarte and Joanna Cortez Hernandez.

In episode 2 of Cafecito con MAF, hear how Diana, an entrepreneur and working mom, navigated the challenges of the pandemic.

In our first podcast episode, join MAF CEO José Quiñonez and MAF Policy & Communications Manager Rocio Rodarte for the story of how immigrants, students, and workers left out of federal COVID-19 reli…

Lending Circles providers from across the country convened for the first time in nearly two years for IGNITE: Connect, Reflect, Innovate. 

Iván, a poet based in the San Fernando Valley, experiments with words, images, and sound as he navigates the world. He uses his voice to advocate for social justice.

Like MAF, Karen realized the best of finance could be put to work in service of community. She’s leveraging the skills she has for those left in the shadows.

COVID-19 devastated the financial lives of immigrant families. Excluded from federal relief, how can immigrant families rebuild their financial lives?

While entire industries were shutting down during the pandemic, Cristina and her husband saw an opportunity to seize their dream. Cristina sat down with MAFista Diana to talk about starting a busines…

Elle Creel has been searching for a place to set roots. At MAF, she’s found fertile ground.

Laura grew up in a Mexican immigrant family in Oakland. Her new role as a MAF board member honors those roots.

At MAF, we’re bringing all that we have to bear in the fight against poverty, just as essential workers did in the midst of the global pandemic.

A Texas court put DACA at risk again. Here’s what you can do to support citizenship for all.

Joleen learned valuable lessons navigating the financial system. She runs Lending Circles at UpValley Family Centers to help her community do the same.

Marlena has a dream to save lives with science. She’s moving ahead, despite a pandemic. She’s not alone.

As vaccines roll out, many of us see a light at the end of a long tunnel. But this light is dimmer for immigrant families who have been repeatedly excluded from federal COVID-19 relief. As we loo…

MAF Awarded $45 Million To Support Immigrant Families During COVID-19 Crisis. It’s Not Enough. Congress Needs to Ensure that All Immigrants Have Access to Relief.

Read about MAF’s partnership with Citi Community Relations and how we’ve provided trusted, culturally-relevant financial education within the Ventanillas de Asesoría Financiera.

Organizing in Georgia made its victory possible. The victory makes a horizon of progressive policies possible. Two are top priority.

Here’s what we’ve learned are the 5 keys to running a successful campaign for a diverse electorate.

SB1157 offers a credit-building lifeline to low-income tenants living in subsidized housing, allowing them to report their rent payments to major credit bureaus so they can continue safely building c…

Read about Francisco’s inspiring journey and its many challenges – including migration, financial barriers, fatherhood, and COVID-19.

We’re welcoming 7 incredible nonprofits to our Lending Circles Network!

Meet MAF’s college fund grant recipient Taryn Williams and learn about her incredible journey finding inspiration and hope in unlikely moments.

Activity skyrocketed in the MyMAF app in the early months of COVID, as users searched for resources around credit and savings.

Immigrants, like other marginalized communities, are labeled as “hard-to-count” by the US Census Bureau. Immigrants, we found, were in fact the easiest-to-count.

Xiucoatl’s story illustrates the incontestable reality that art—in all of its forms—is essential to enabling people to connect with each other through empathy, shared space, or shared experience. Leg…