The Mid South IDA Initiative is an exciting and innovative program that expands access to wealth-building opportunities for the region's low-income and asset-poor population. In partnership with Entergy Corporation, the Foundation provides funding and training to IDA programs throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and southeast Texas.

Individual development accounts are matched savings accounts designed to encourage individuals to save money and invest in high return assets such as a home, post-secondary education, or a small business. IDA programs are typically operated by community-based nonprofit organizations partnering with financial institutions to provide financial education classes, one-on-one case management, and asset-specific training. IDA participants' savings generally are matched by a variety of public and private sources at rates from 1:1 to 5:1, enabling the participants to purchase their assets.

The Goals of the Mid South IDA Initiative are the following:

• Increase the number of IDA account holders in the Mid South and build the assets of low-income people, especially in rural areas;
• Attract regional and national resources aimed at improving the assets of low-income people;
• Develop the capacity of local and statewide programs to improve access to IDAs and to identify and provide matching funds; and
• Create learning networks across the three-state region.

Click >>>here for a printable version of the Mid South Individual Development Account fact sheet.

To learn about programs in the region, click >>> here

For more information contact:
>>>Necole S. Irvin , program officer
Mid South IDA Initiative
Foundation for the Mid South
134 East Amite Street
Jackson, MS 39201
PH 601.863.0495
FX 601.355.6499