PIE program celebrates 15-year anniversary

Joint program of Foothills United Way and Boulder County Community Action Programs promotes financial education and savings

Boulder County, Colo. -  Foothills United Way, together with Boulder County Community Action Programs, is proud to announce the 15th anniversary of its Personal Investment Enterprise (PIE) program. PIE is a local savings program designed for residents with low income in Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Since 2001, the PIE program has helped both individuals and families make informed financial decisions and reach economic stability. As part of the program, participants enroll in financial education classes, and have their savings for home ownership, education, or a new business matched at a rate of four dollars to every dollar they contribute.

“The PIE Program is the perfect example of how we work collaboratively for the greater good,” says Doug Yeiser, CEO, Foothills United Way. “Our partnership with Boulder County Community Action Programs has created an innovative solution with a preventative focus and a long-term goal of building financial security, which not only sets people up for success, but benefits the community even more.”

To date, the PIE program has 258 graduates that have saved over $240,000, which has driven more than $1.25 million into Boulder and Broomfield economies. Of the 258 graduates, 101 participants have become homeowners, 99 have pursued a post-secondary education, and 58 individuals have started their own small business.

PIE has been a life changing program for many in the community. “Before the program, I thought going to school was impossible for people in my family,” says a recent participant. “The PIE program helped to develop my confidence to continue my education.”

As another client explained, PIE can have a profound effect on whole families. “I can’t describe the gratitude that I have for PIE,” explains a recent graduate. “Since completing this class, and after we were able to buy a house with the PIE program’s help, my husband and I have been a positive influence for his aunt and my parents. They both bought homes this year.”

“Since its inception, PIE has empowered local residents with low income to achieve new heights,” explains Eliberto Mendoza, Manager of Boulder Community Action Programs. “PIE provides a structure for families and individuals to access opportunities to save, to build, and to plan for the future. At the end of their PIE experience many are closer to reaching their American dream of home ownership, post-secondary education, or of starting their own business.”

By providing area residents with the tools they need to begin saving and build assets, the PIE program is helping individuals find the confidence and power they need to become economically stable.

To learn more about the PIE program, contact Rosemary Thompson at 303-895-3412 or rosemary.thompson@unitedwayfoothills.org. To apply or receive information about becoming a participant, contact Nino Gallo at 303-440-3998 or ngallo@bouldercounty.org. 

ABOUT THE PERSONAL INVESTMENT ENTERPRISE (PIE) PROGRAM

The Personal Investment Enterprise (PIE) program is a local savings program provided through Community Action Programs of Boulder County and Foothills United Way. The program is designed for families with low income to enroll in financial literacy classes and save through a matched saving account at a rate of four to one. The first step in applying to the program is to attend an orientation meeting with Nino Gallo at Community Action Programs at Boulder County. Nino may be reached at 303-441-3998 or at ngallo@bouldercounty.org. For more information on the PIE program visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/family/financial/pages/pie.aspx

ABOUT FOOTHILLS UNITED WAY

Foothills United Way is driving results through collaborative action across Boulder and Broomfield counties with an emphasis on strengthening families for early childhood success, working toward attainable housing for all and ensuring residents are prepared for crisis through strong community resilience. Our goal is to address community challenges with innovative solutions that prevent problems from spiraling out of control and becoming more costly. We’re investing in collaborative solutions where expert organizations, local nonprofits, government organizations/agencies, faith communities and businesses link assets to make measurable progress.  For more information, call 303-444-4013 or visit: www.unitedwayfoothills.org