The Northwest Area Foundation recognizes that poverty is a critical issue in its area, as well as across the country. But instead of simply handing out money, the foundation has decided to invest in programs that have been shown to reduce poverty through building prosperity and widening access to opportunity.
The foundation recently announced that it will commit $2.04 million to fund 14 grants to such programs, throughout an eight-state region.
"We believe the best way to reduce poverty is to ensure fair access to meaningful opportunity," said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation. "That change begins with making sure people can build their financial assets, but it also means building on the human potential that resides in every low-income community. These grants support a diverse array of outstanding organizations that are hard at work unlocking that potential."
Specifically, $1.565 million was given to nonprofits that support organizations focusing on asset- and wealth-building, with a particular focus on workforce development, small business strategies, and green jobs development.
Another $1.265 million will be granted to intermediary organizations providing local community organizations with technical assistance, training, leadership, networking, and support for small grants.
Among other grants was a combined total of $375,000 given to the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations of Seattle; the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota; the Consensus Council of North Dakota; Rural Dynamics in Montana and South Dakota Voices for Children; all of which will go toward improving public policy solutions.
The most recent poverty estimates from the U.S. Census show that in 2008, approximately 13.2 percent of Americans had an income below the poverty threshold. 
