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  • 31 Jan 2021 5:14 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    Resource Guide for Native Women Entrepreneurs in the United States

    Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC)

    February 2021

    In July 2020, ONAC distributed a survey to Native women entrepreneurs. As a follow-up to that survey and the summary data report ONAC published in November 2020, ONAC has generated a resource guide for Native women entrepreneurs in the U.S. (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). 

    Resources Needed

    In their online ONAC survey responses, Native women entrepreneurs shared their challenges and desire for more resources in three key areas including: 1) Business Education 2) Financial Services and Products, and 3) Mentorship.

    Business Education

    Native businesswomen are interested in online and in-person training workshops, one-on-one entrepreneurship technical assistance, and entrepreneurship-related degree programs.  

    Financial Services and Products

    Native businesswomen expressed a need for increased access to capital for small business start-up and expansion.

    Mentorship

    Business mentorship is one more request from Native businesswomen. Mentoring support could come from participation in Native chambers of commerce events, coalition conferences, and other Native-led mentoring networks. 

    Note About Possible Missing Resources

    This document includes an initial compilation of resources that are available for Native women entrepreneurs across the country. These resource lists are not exhaustive. The descriptions of the resources are attributed to the entities providing information about their work. While ONAC staff tried to conduct a thorough search, given the number of federal and state recognized tribes, Native nonprofits, funding entities, associations, federal resources, etc., we may have inadvertently missed resources for this guide. To recommend additional resources, contact Christy Finsel, ONAC Executive Director, at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org. 

  • 16 Nov 2020 1:33 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) has released a summary data report entitled, "Native Women Business Owners: Building Assets, Strengthening their Communities, and Working to Close the Women's Wealth Gap."   For more information about the report, contact Christy Finsel, ONAC Executive Director, at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org. 

  • 20 Oct 2020 4:38 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    Here is a handout with information provided by ONAC grantees regarding how they delivered remote and/or socially distanced Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services during the 2020 tax season and shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The handout includes a summary of the ONAC grantee 2020 VITA service efforts based upon direct excerpts from grant reports submitted by each grantee that provide more details about their overall experience and the adjustments they made to provide tax filing services in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. ONAC let the grantees know that we were collecting information from their reports for this handout. The summary attributions are included in the handout. 

    Due to necessity, both tax preparers and filers are now using technology that they may not have used before to successfully complete remote tax filings. While providing VITA services to their local Native communities, these Native-led VITA programs are striving to keep both the preparers and filers as safe as possible. 

    We hope this information might be useful to those providing Native VITA services. 

    A big thank you to the Native VITA programs that shared their innovations. 

  • 24 Sep 2020 1:58 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. is offering a resource guide for Native financial educators and coaches that might need assistance as they move from offering in-person to remote teaching and coaching sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guide also includes a resource list with Native-specific financial education materials and other related resources. To view the guide, go to https://bit.ly/ONACGoingRemote. To view the video that accompanies this guide, go to https://youtu.be/v9FCIpePMMw. 


  • 23 Sep 2020 9:32 AM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    For those who are American Indian or Alaska Native and interested in one-on-one credit counseling, homebuyer education, and/or money management coaching, ONAC provides these resources to you for no cost.  These services are available via phone and teleconference. To register for this financial coaching, please complete the registration form by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ONACcounselingregistration. Within a few days from when your registration form is received, one of ONAC’s Native financial counselors  will contact you to schedule an appointment. If you would like to learn more about these services, please contact Christy Finsel, ONAC Executive Director, via email at cfinsel@oknativeassets.org or by phone at (405) 720-0770. 

    Free Financial Coaching Flyer.pdf 

  • 14 Sep 2020 8:44 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    Our Native asset building coalition is aware of the need for more tribal citizens to have information about how to claim their federal Economic Impact Payment (EIP), if they have not done so already. 

    Here is a flyer with steps that those who are eligible to receive the EIP, and have not yet received that payment, can take to claim those funds. 

    We have also included information about resources for tribal citizens to open a safe and affordable bank account to hold their EIP. 

    You are welcome to distribute this flyer to those who still may need this information. 

  • 30 Jul 2020 10:26 AM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) Provides Emergency Cash Assistance to Native Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to spread rapidly across the U.S., American Indian and Alaskan Native communities are especially vulnerable. 

    In May, the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) launched the first ever national Native-led emergency cash assistance program for Native families. Through this program, supported by a $400,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, ONAC is providing 550 emergency cash assistance grants ($500 per household) and is currently working to raise additional funds to support even more families. 

    “The pandemic is taking a disproportionate toll on the health and economy of tribal communities and we know many Native American/Alaska Native’s are feeling uncertain about how they are going to pay rent, buy food, or keep up with monthly bills,” said Darlene Goins, head of financial health philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “We applaud ONAC for quickly stepping up to the challenge of getting direct cash assistance into the hands of these families to help them weather the storm.”

    The first round of emergency cash assistant grants, which do not need to be re-paid, went out to 120 Native families starting on June 5, 2020, and ONAC is currently working with pre-determined tribal and other Native-led nonprofit partners to identify others in need. Applicants are sent non-transferable links to the application. Program participants also receive wrap-around services, such as free financial coaching.

    The grant funds have allowed ONAC, and its Native partners, to quickly launch emergency cash assistance support and services directly to Native families that are not otherwise being offered. To help ONAC directly serve more Native families, please consider making a donation at https://give.classy.org/COVIDONAC.

  • 21 May 2020 8:34 AM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    News Release

    Contact: 

    Christy Finsel, cfinsel@oknativeassets.org

    (405) 401-7873

    May 15, 2020                                                                                     

    Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) Launches First Native-Led National Initiative to Distribute COVID-19 Relief Funds to American Indian and Alaska Native Families

    Oklahoma City, OK –The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC), is assisting American Indian and Alaska Native families who are experiencing financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 15, 2020, the Wells Fargo Foundation awarded ONAC a $400,000 grant to launch the first national Native-led emergency cash assistance program for Native families. ONAC has already utilized these funds to hire an account manager, create program infrastructure, and begin outreach with our tribal and Native-led nonprofit partners to identify families in need of assistance. The first round of emergency cash assistant grants will go out to Native families on June 5, 2020.

    With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation grant, ONAC will: 

    • equitably distribute 550 emergency cash assistance grants across Indian Country, by region, over the next 11 months ($500 per family), and
    • provide wrap-around services, such as free financial coaching, to program participants.

    The grant funds have allowed ONAC, and its Native partners, to quickly launch emergency cash assistance support and services directly to Native families that are not otherwise being offered.

    To help ONAC serve more Native families, please consider making a donation at https://give.classy.org/COVIDONAC.

    About the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition Inc.: The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition Inc. (ONAC), first organized in 2001 and now a nonprofit, is a Native asset building coalition that works with tribes and partners interested in establishing asset-building initiatives and programs in Native communities, for the purpose of creating greater opportunities for economic self-sufficiency of tribal citizens. The mission of ONAC is to build and support a network of Native people who are dedicated to increasing self-sufficiency and prosperity in their communities through asset-building strategies. For more information about the coalition, go to http://www.oknativeassets.org/.

    About Wells Fargo: Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,700 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com). With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. With its corporate philanthropy, Wells Fargo aims to pave a path to stability and financial success for underserved communities by focusing on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, among other local community needs. In 2019, Wells Fargo donated $455 million to nonprofits across the U.S. and internationally with the intent to spark economic development. In addition, Wells Fargo provided $4 billion of capital to support the development of more than 15,000 affordable housing units in communities in over 30 states. So far in 2020, Wells Fargo has donated $175 million to COCID-19 relief efforts in vulnerable communities to support healthcare workers, housing, small businesses and financial health programs. News, insights and more information on the company’s overall corporate responsibility are available at Wells Fargo Stories and www.wellsfargo.com/impact.

     

  • 20 May 2020 12:14 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    Information Regarding Federal COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (EIP)

     Sent By Prepaid Debit Card

    It has come to ONAC's attention that Economic Impact Payments were sent by direct deposit, check, and also by prepaid debit card.  Here is information we are aware of regarding the prepaid debit card.  This information is available on the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center. Given that the IRS is not accepting calls regarding the EIPs, ONAC is unable to provide additional information about the prepaid debit cards beyond what is included below (including a customer service number to request a new card).  

    Q45. Will IRS be sending prepaid debit cards? (added May 20, 2020)

    "A45. Some payments may be sent on a prepaid debit card known as The Economic Impact Payment Card  The Economic Impact Payment Card is sponsored by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A.

    If you receive an Economic Impact Payment Card, it will arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”  The Visa name will appear on the front of the Card; the back of the Card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A. Information included with the Card will explain that the card is your Economic Impact Payment Card.  Please go to EIPcard.com for more information."

    What if someone accidentally threw away their EIP card or the card is otherwise lost or stolen?

    If you accidentally threw away your card, as it arrived in a plain envelope, or your card is otherwise lost or stolen, log on to EIPCard.com and lock your account. Then call customer service at 1-800-240-8100 to request a new card.  There is a $7.50 fee for reissues after the first card, and you'll pay an extra $17.00 for a priority shipping fee. Additional fees for other services associated with the card will apply.  To learn more about those fees, go to https://www.eipcard.com/fee-schedule/.

  • 14 May 2020 7:25 PM | Christy Finsel (Administrator)

    The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Inc. (ONAC) is asking for your help in reaching out to Native women entrepreneurs.  We’ve developed a survey to help us better understand the realities faced by Native women business owners.  With this information, ONAC will be better able to advocate for Native women in our efforts to help close the women's wealth gap.  Please send this link out to all the Native women business owners you know.  Thank you!

    Here is the link to the survey:

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ONAC_Entrepreneurs

Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition 
(405) 720-0770

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