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Independence Project

Credit Building through Micro-Lending

What is the Independence Project?

The Independence Project, a credit building program of The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), was established in partnership with Verizon and with seed funding from Thirty-One Gifts, and is supported in part by generous funding from The Allstate Foundation.

Through the Independence Project, advocates and local domestic violence programs across the nation can support survivors of domestic violence in improving their credit scores through micro-lending.

Loan Qualifications:

  1. Be a survivor of domestic violence
  2. Meet with a domestic violence advocate 3 times

Due to staffing limitations, NNEDV is currently not accepting any new IP loan applications. At this time, we anticipate re-opening the application September 1, 2023.

Once you sign up and create an account, please complete the Independence Project application. The application consists of the following:

  1. General Information and consent
  2. Borrower monthly income and expenses information.
  3. Method of payment and loan disbursement information
  4. A completed form by an advocate with contact information and confirmation that the borrower has met with the domestic violence advocate at least three times

Note: As a result of ongoing COVID-19 precautions, we are currently unable to mail paper applications for the Independence Project.

How can financial abuse impact a survivor’s credit score?

Almost all survivors who have experienced domestic violence have also suffered financial abuse; a tactic used by an abuser to gain and maintain power and control over a victim. Financial abuse may involve the abuser preventing the victim from accessing or using a bank account or a credit card; exploiting the victim’s economic resources through job sabotage, identity theft, or credit ruin; and more.

For a survivor seeking safety, one common setback from financial abuse and overall safety is the ruin of the survivor’s credit score. With a low credit score (typically defined as a score below 620), a survivor may experience difficulty qualifying for a credit card or a loan, securing housing, obtaining a new job, or even purchasing essential goods and services, like a vehicle or a cell phone. On the other hand, with a good credit score (typically defined as a score above 700), some of the most important economic resources, like credit cards and bank loans become more accessible and may offer lower interest rates.

To understand what impacts a credit score and other important credit information, refer to Module 3 in The Moving Ahead Curriculum.

How does the Independence Project work?

Through the Independence Project, a survivor can apply for a credit building micro-loan of $100 and to repay this loan over the subsequent 10 months with no interest. To achieve the best possible credit score improvements through this program, the survivor must repay consistently until the loan matures. NNEDV tracks each repayment made by the survivor and undertakes the necessary reporting to the three credit bureaus. The success of the program is incumbent upon each borrower’s commitment to loan repayment.

How can a survivor or a domestic violence advocate learn more about the Independence Project?

To learn more about the Independence Project, view the printable brochure or contact NNEDV via email.

Project supported in part by:
The Allstate Foundation
Bread Financial