A growing middle class is critical for the renewed prosperity of our communities and nation, yet across our communities, the middle class is fading away. In Ohio, forty-one percent of single mothers live below the poverty line, more than double the rate of households headed by single women without children and about 15 times the rate of married couples without children, the household type least likely to be poor. (Assets for Equity: Building Wealth for Women in Central Ohio) Working to close the gender wealth gap is essential to strengthening the well-being of women, families, and the nation as a whole.
Through a collaboration with Schmidt Futures, Ohio State is leading a community-wide effort, the Alliance for the American Dream, to find innovative, bold ideas that bolster the middle class and ensure families have equal access and opportunity to thrive by:
- Helping to increase household incomes or reduce expenses
- Investing in neighborhoods to boost residents
- Growing local businesses and employee skills
The Alliance for the American Dream website offers resources to help you develop your ideas, which are due by October 1, 2019. The top five ideas will be announced in mid-October, 2019. The top three proposals chosen by Ohio State University will compete for funding.
While all ideas are welcome, The Women's Place encourages you submit your thoughts on closing the gender wealth gap.
Contact Beth Frey with questions about the Ohio State Alliance for the American Dream program.
