Financial Opportunity Centers®

Financial Opportunity Centers^®

Financial Opportunity Centers^®(FOCs) build bridges for individuals and families to overcome the unique challenges that exist in rural communities across America. From accessible workforce development opportunities to education around public benefits and financial stability programs that position individuals to become homeowners, rural FOCs are providing families the financial freedom they dream of.

The FOC model is built on four interlocking components: Financial Coaching, Career Coaching, Income Supports and a Shared Data System. Click here to see how it works.

FOCs pair individuals with Financial and Employment Coaches to co-create financial freedom plans. Coaches support individuals with tools and resources that allow them to navigate the complexities of increasing income, decreasing expenses and acquiring assets.

With nearly 100 FOCs operating across the country, and 15 years of data, LISC partners have found that FOC clients who take advantage of combined services are 50 percent more likely to land a well-paying job than people receiving employment services alone. And long-term job retention (holding a job for a year or more) almost doubles when financial coaching reinforces the work of employment counseling. Below is just a snapshot of what was achieve by the entire Rural FOC Network in 2020.