Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Friends of RISE,

With nearly $8 million in asset creation to date, the RISE Foundation is fulfilling their mission to help people help themselves. The RISE Foundation empowers low-income Memphians with knowledge of basic financial skills; RISE puts people in a position to successfully achieve their goals. These assets created include home ownership; microenterprise; post-secondary education; purchasing a computer for their family; additional education that could lead to employment improvements, or simply saving for the future for the first time in their lives.

RISE has worked with families in Memphis and Shelby County for over 18 years to help break the cycle of poverty and its effects. RISE was initially designed to help Memphis public housing residents achieve financial self-sufficiency. Today, RISE works with students starting in the 5^th grade through their senior year in high school, to budget, save and accumulate assets. Their unique expertise has increased the numbers that RISE serves in the community.

At RISE, we are grateful for our supporters as RISE is almost entirely dependent upon private funding from corporate and private citizens. RISE needs your support financially and to share our story so that we can continue to serve as a great asset in our community.

RISE = Responsibility. Initiative. Solution. Empowerment. Help us to serve more individuals/families who want to become RISERS!

Randy Williams

Chairman

RISE Board of Directors