Getting Started

Financial Opportunity Centers® (FOC) are more complex programs than many organizations have provided in the past. The resources section provides LISC staff and staff at partner organizations running an FOC/BCO with a mix of materials, websites and other resources. These resources can be useful to practitioners working with clients, administrators who keep the programs running, or both.

A Financial Opportunity Center®, in its inherent design, requires an organization or program to provide integrated programming to clients, which often requires a complex, intentional process and organizational structure. Use these resources to help you plan for an efficient and effective integrated service delivery model that supports client success and operational excellence.

Launching a new FOC takes time, intention, and money. Here's a general timeline and overview of the three phases of planning and piloting to launch an FOC.

Planning for FOC Launch
(3 months)

Community Assessment, Mapping, and Planning
Fundraise
Buy-in from Board and Senior Leadership
Administrative and HR preparation and planning
Identify FOC goals and planned outcomes

Staff Onboarding and Training (3 months)

Introduce FOC model to all staff in more detail
Cross train all staff on core integrated services and financial products and tools
LISC staff facilitates Client Flow Training
LISC staff facilitates Salesforce Training
Develop aligned and strategic messaging for various audiences
Develop official supportive partnerships and engage community

Pilot FOC
(3-6 months)

Pilot Client Flow with targeted core group
Assess efficacy, seek feedback and evaluate initial data
Adjust programs, processes, and procedures and test
After second round of piloting and adjustments, expand FOC services to full program.

Thinking about starting a Financial Opportunity Center®? In the middle of planning? Read these key initial resources to understand the core framework and approach of the model.

A New Way of Doing Business

This guide pulls from nearly a decade of experience working with FOCs across the country in order to present a framework for organizations considering adopting the integrated services delivery (ISD) model.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation | November 2013

First Steps on the Road to Financial Well-Being

An independent study by the Economic Mobility Corporation found that Financial Opportunity Center® clients, who access a range of services, have more success meeting their financial goals than people in programs offering employment assistance alone. Their gains include landing and keeping a job, growing credit and increasing annual earnings.

Anne Roder | Economic Mobility Corporation | September 2016

Utilizing Behavioral Economics to Enhance Outreach & Increase Program Effectiveness

This set of slides from a presentation covers seven ways to build impact of a program, from the power of defaults to appealing to identity.

Amy Brown | Aspen Institute | March 2009

Mapping a Road to Financial Well-being

This study shows that LISC’s Financial Opportunity Centers® are uniquely successful in getting clients on the path to stability.

Economic Mobility Corporation | October 2016

Telling the ISD Story to the Public and Participants

This PowerPoint deck helps enhance partner knowledge of marketing and outreach techniques and to develop strategies and actionable plans related to FOCs. The presentation is in seven chapters, covering brochures, posters, a communications plan and more.

Local Initiative Support Corporation & United Way| Janurary 2017