FABN fosters strong collaborative partnerships by leveraging community resources to strengthen economic opportunities on behalf of working families in the Border States.

"The Frontera Asset Building Network is connecting us to the national level and it is very supportive--it's like you are not alone out here."

Veronica Salcido Harding
New Mexico Community Foundation

• Results
• Advisory Committee
• Partners and Funders

In 2005, The Annie E. Casey Foundation convened a group of agencies serving the Southwest Border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to create a dynamic learning community. The aim of this group was to create and implement high impact asset building vehicles for families living along the Southwest Border. In 2007, this collaboration formed the Frontera Asset Building Network (FABN).

FABN’s goals are to increase asset development efforts along the Border by providing learning opportunities, technical assistance, and access to data and other resources. FABN also aims through shared capacity building to promote best practices and offer technical assistance.

Comprised of nonprofit, government, philanthropic and financial service providers, FABN has over 80 members representing 59 organizations. FABN is led by an Advisory Committee comprised of 14 and is run largely by volunteers.

What is Asset Building?

Some of our nation’s most vulnerable families live along the Southwest Border. In spite of working hard, many working families in Border communities find severe obstacles as they work towards financial stability. This problem is often further compounded by a disconnection from the opportunities and supports they need to succeed.

An asset building approach moves working families towards sustained income, savings and assets. Assets make a significant difference in families’ lives, enabling people to exert control over their lives and provide more security for themselves and their children. Assets also lead to increase economic security and provide a cushion against unexpected events. Assets represent a broad array of resources, including education, training, a home, a car or a small business.

FABN member organizations offer an array of asset building strategies including:

• Free tax preparation assistance;
• Earned Income Tax Credits;
• Child Tax Credits;
• Providing Individual Development Accounts;
• Offering micro-enterprise opportunities; and
• Providing financial education instruction and tools.