Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As I reflect on this past year at the Institute of Consumer Money Management, I am heartened by the tremendous progress we have made together. Our commitment to empowering low-to-moderate income individuals and communities remains stronger than ever, and I am excited to share some of the key milestones we’ve achieved.
With the guidance of our Board of Directors, we have taken important steps to sharpen our focus and strengthen our impact. We revisited our mission, vision, and approach to ensure our work aligns fully with the needs of those we serve. This renewed mission reflects our deep commitment to creating pathways to financial stability across the lifespan, and it has led us to establish a strategic funding model informed by our three-pillar framework, which will guide our work in the years to come.
To increase our effectiveness, we have redefined our grant allocation strategy to emphasize projects that lead to real, tangible benefits. Through refining our processes and expanding our funding base, we are better positioned to invest in applied research that translates directly into action, supporting the financial resilience of LMI communities. I’m thrilled to announce that this year, we secured additional support from our funder, Consumer Education Services, Inc. (CESI), ensuring our continued ability to grow and support meaningful projects that meet the real needs of our communities.
In addition to these initiatives, we have continued to support and strengthen our ongoing projects. We are committed to enhancing the NBER fellowship projects and Young Enterprising Women events by strengthening evaluation frameworks and pursuing strategic partnerships to broaden their reach. This year, we also reinforced our efforts with Carolina Community Impact and CESI’s HUD-Certified Housing Programs, investing in research that supports housing stability and business growth within LMI communities.
To support our expanding operations, we’ve made essential improvements to our internal processes, fostering a culture of efficiency and accountability. Financially, we are in a strong position, having maintained responsible practices while building a more sustainable funding base for the future.
As we look forward to 2025, I am filled with optimism and gratitude. Together, with your support, we are making significant strides toward a future where financial stability and security are within reach for all. Thank you for being part of this journey.
With warm regards and sincere thanks,
Dr. Diane Chen, Executive Director
Institute of Consumer Money Management
You are invited to download and read our 2024 Annual Report.