What We Do
Financial Empowerment
We’re here to help you reach your financial goals.
We believe all people deserve the chance to succeed financially. That’s why we work so hard to provide you with the very best tools, resources, and learning opportunities. To carry out our vision, we customize our one-on-one coaching and counseling services to your personal needs. Our goal is to help you reach yours!
Financial Coaching
Resource Counseling
Credit Coaching
Benefits Planning
Your journey to financial independence starts today
Meet with our Financial Empowerment Director
Set a goal and create a plan
Work one-on-one with a coach to reach your goal
Check in every 3 months to evaluate progress
See your financial independence increase!
Able Up Iowa has collaborated with community experts across the state to develop a program that helps folks from all walks of life succeed in setting and achieving their financial goals. This tried-and-true process involves setting a goal, creating a plan, and then working one-on-one with a coach to help you achieve your goal. Every 3 months you have the chance to check in, evaluate your progress and determine if you would like to continue for another 3 months. By working with us from beginning to end, we can help you gain the skills and habits you need for long-term financial independence.
By participating in our Financial Empowerment program, you can reduce your interest by 5%!
If you have a loan with us, you not only have the chance to participate in our Financial Empowerment program free of charge, but you will also receive a 5% reduction in your interest! This interest drop occurs automatically after 3 months participation along with consistent, monthly loan payments.
Learn about our new forgivable loans, developed to support those who need it most.
Disability-related equipment can get very expensive, and some people simply cannot afford a loan. Our forgivable loans provide these individuals with the option to have their loan payments fully or partially forgiven when they participate in the Financial Empowerment program.
Already participating in coaching?
Not a problem.
There is a chance you are already working with another coaching or counseling agency to help you achieve your financial goals. That’s great! We value, respect, and appreciate the other community services available in the state. We believe it’s through collaboration with these agencies that the best results occur. That’s why we offer flexible, cross-coaching opportunities to all program participants that are currently working with another approved agency. See some of our most trusted coaching partners below.
Meet some of our trusted coaching partners
Project Search
Project Search prepares young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment
Project Iowa serves as a bridge between underemployed persons seeking living wage careers and employers seeking workers
Women United fights for the education and stability of women and children
Financial Empowerment Center help individuals create a budget, reduce money stress, improve credit, pay down debt, access affordable bank accounts, and save money for the future.
Build Your Credit
Our Credit Builder loan is designed to establish or improve your credit. Along with the loan, you will have access to free credit building courses and activities. Additionally, you will have a credit coach to support you every step of the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of goal would I work on?
The goal you choose to work toward is ultimately up to you, but we are here to provide you with support every step of the way. The first thing you will do when you join our Financial Empowerment Program is fill out our Empowerment questionnaire. This questionnaire will help you identify how you feel you are doing in different areas of your life – such as your living situation or your ability to reach your employment goals. After completing the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our Financial Empowerment Director. Together, you will review your Empowerment questionnaire and create a goal and plan that is personalized to your needs.
How would I meet with my coach?
All our coaches are available for phone or online appointments. Currently, we only offer in-person meetings in Ames, Iowa. If you have concerns about meeting with your coach, please inform our Financial Empowerment Director.
How much time does the program take?
Working on a goal should make your life better, not harder. We are generally looking for a commitment of about an hour a month. However, many see the direct benefits of the program and opt to put in more time. Ultimately, our hope is that each of our participants see the impactful difference this program can make in their lives. We want you to feel inspired and motived to continue practicing the new skills and positive habits you gain from this program, even after you have completing it.
If I have a joint loan, do we both need to participate to get the interest drop?
We know that each family is unique. That’s why we offer flexibility to joint loan families who are looking to participate in the Empowerment program. In some cases, it may work best for only one loan recipient to go participate. In other cases, it may be best for both recipients to go through the program. The decision for participation will be made on an individual basis between between you and our Empowerment Director.