In 2021, Louisiana Asset Funders Network (LA AFN) created a brief in response to growing interest in financial technology or fintech in the state of Louisiana. Designed as a guide for funders, Philanthropy and Fintech: Identifying Opportunities for Engagement provides an overview of fintech and its application in the financial health field, examines possible applications to Louisianans’ financial health challenges, and seeks to encourage funders to engage with fintech to support their grantmaking goals.
As a follow up to the release, LA AFN launched a series of webinars designed to increase understanding around potential fintech solutions among philanthropy and practitioners across the state through:
– Developing a common overarching understanding of the term fintech and exploring the broader possibilities surrounding fintech integration across Louisiana;
– Highlighting that fintech is one tool among many to boost financial access and stability;
– Showcasing how fintech connects to other high-priority issue areas for our target audiences;
– Building a case for investing in fintech to enhance the capacity of the financial health ecosystem.
August 16, 2022
This session focused on the importance of utilizing fintech in Louisiana and how to incorporate fintech into existing or emerging grantmaking and nonprofit strategies as well as municipal programming.
Speakers:
Jannease Seastrunk, Red River Bank
Rashida Dawson, United Way of Northwest Louisiana
May 10, 2022
This session highlighted local and national examples of fintech integration within the nonprofit sector and from the Philanthropy and Fintech brief. We explored the potential to add value for LMI clients who look to trusted providers, such as financial coaches or benefit counselors, to offer training and information regarding various fintech options as a means to improve their financial health.
Speakers:
Delores Hurst, Director of Community Impact, Income Stability, Capital Area United Way
Jacqueline Ned, Community Outreach Mortgage Lender, Red River Bank/Bank On Baton Rouge
Santiago Sueiro, Senior Policy Analyst, Economic Policy Team, UnidosUS
