Fortera Foundation
Building the bridge to an empowered future.
Degrees of Change
Fulfilling our purpose as a force for financial good, the Fortera Foundation was established to align Fortera's core values, resources, and commitment to make meaningful investments in the communities we serve.
Through the work of the Foundation, we aim to break the cycle of generational poverty and improve families’ long-term financial stability. The Foundation focuses its impact on combatting a high rate of poverty among single parents.
Learn more about the work of Fortera Foundation and how you can join us in these efforts.
Breaking The Cycle
Recognizing a Need - Local demographics contribute to an especially high rate of poverty among single mothers, making it difficult for this growing segment to fulfill occupational and educational aspirations that raise their families’ standard of living.
Overcoming Barriers to Success - Earning a post-secondary degree is a well-established pathway out of poverty, yet it can be difficult to achieve with obstacles such as childcare, transportation and financial strain.
The Fortera Foundation works to help eliminate barriers to success and increase the quality of life for low-income single-parents and their children by:
- lowering single-parent college dropout rates;
- increasing educational opportunity & academic success for parents & children; and
- increasing economic self-sufficiency for single-parent families.
Becoming a Fortera Foundation Member
You can help Fortera make a meaningful difference by joining the Fortera Foundation as a Lifetime or Sustaining Member. Below you'll find the details of each membership level. It's easy to join in one of two ways:
- Video Chat or Phone: Complete the Membership Enrollment Form and contact us via Video Chat or phone to complete your dues payment and enrollment. Payment may be made by account transfer.
- Branch Visit: Visit any Fortera branch to complete the Membership Enrollment Form and make your dues payment by cash or check deposit or account transfer. Enrollment forms can be found here or at any branch location.
Lifetime Members
BENEFITS
Communication: Keeping you in the know about the difference we’re creating together, members will receive bi-annual communication highlighting the Foundation’s work and impact.
Involvement: Lifetime Members may have the opportunity to become involved with Foundation activities such as:
- Mentoring and/or tutoring program participants
- Serving on sub-committees
- Sponsoring an event
- Volunteering at a Fortera Foundation hosted or sponsored event
- Providing supportive resources
- Attending Fortera Foundation-sponsored events
Sustaining Members
BENEFITS
Governance: One (1) representative from the Sustaining Membership body will be nominated annually by the Fortera Foundation Nominating Committee for election to the Fortera Foundation Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year.
Communication: Keeping you in the know about the difference we’re creating together, members will receive bi-annual communication highlighting the Foundation’s work and impact.
Involvement: Sustaining Members may have the opportunity to become involved with Foundation activities such as:
- Mentoring and/or tutoring program participants
- Serving on sub-committees
- Sponsoring an event
- Volunteering at a Fortera Foundation hosted or sponsored event
- Providing supportive resources
- Attending Fortera Foundation-sponsored events
Two-Generation Benefit
By achieving their degree, not only do single parents increase their income potential, they may also inspire educational goals for their children and the generations behind them.
Bridging the Gap
Advancing this mission, the Foundation partners with Austin Peay State University to provide supportive assistance to single parents. Creating the bridge to a better life, the program seeks to empower single-parent students with the resources needed to enter college and graduate with a life-changing degree.
In 2021-2022, fourteen $4,000 scholarships were awarded to eligible Austin Peay State University students. Information about the Fortera Foundation Bridge Fund Scholarships can be found here.
Beyond financial assistance, the Foundation will also partner with Austin Peay and other educational institutions to offer financial literacy and success coaching programs. Furthering a broader mission, the organization will support additional initiatives that advance the economic self-sufficiency of Fortera members and local residents.
Building a Strong Foundation - Additionally, the Foundation also provides ten annual scholarships to local high school students to further their post-secondary education.