About Us
Mission Asset Fund (MAF) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. MAF is a trailblazer for creating responsible financial products and models that assist low-income families in overcoming financial exclusion, including predatory lending and lack of access to affordable credit.
From no-cost credit-building loans to cutting-edge community research, we bridge the chasm between the realities of financially excluded communities and the mainstream financial system — by enabling the financially invisible to become visible.
Why we do it
Low-income families in the U.S. face extraordinary financial and economic challenges. 17 million are unbanked and 25 million have no credit. One in five families has no (or negative) assets. Families with the lowest income owe $2.59 for every dollar they earn, making the climb out of poverty insurmountable. Without a credit score, checking account, or savings, low-income families face exorbitant fees to manage their finances, eroding the assets needed to make ends meet.
MAF's approach to solving these problems links cultural practices, responsible financial products and financial education to ensure that low-income families have fair access to affordable credit and mainstream financial services.
MAF contributes to the immigrant integration and economic development field through research and policy and innovative technological tools.
Our values
We respect people and communities
We meet people where they are, not where we think they should be
We help people build on what they have, no matter what shape, form or size
How we do it
MAF works with nonprofit organizations across the United States to facilitate credit-building loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. All loans are financed by Lending Circles members and are provided with 0% interest and $0 in fees. Fundraising provides the administrative support needed to organize and process loans.
The people behind MAF include Funders, Partners, our Board and a superstar Staff. Our headquarters and flagship office are located in San Francisco, California.
How we are funded
100% of every dollar you donate to Mission Asset Fund goes directly towards providing fair access to affordable financial products—whether it helps support a specific geographic location or partner organization, your support is the backbone of everything we do. MAF does not charge interest to our organizational partners, who organize Lending Circles.
MAF is primarily funded through the support of grants, corporate sponsors, and foundations. We are incredibly thankful for the support that has enabled us to do the work that has touched the lives of so many people.
Learn more about our partnerships or make a donation.
