Impact

Since launching our first FSS program in 2010, Compass has partnered with 6,000 families to build $27,000,000 in savings.

Compass FSS graduates save $8,500 on average in their FSS escrow accounts. 75% of graduates also have $400 or more in additional personal savings - last year, only 63% of all US households could say the same.

Compass-run FSS programs significantly outperform other FSS programs nationally, and Compass FSS graduates significantly increase the financial security of their family:

Compass FSS Graduate Outcomes

                    Outcome Metric
                    Result
                
                    Increased annual income
                    70%
                
                    Average income increase
                    $21,500
                
                    Improved or established credit score
                    70%
                
                    Average credit score increase
                    75
                
                    On-time debt payments (3+ months)
                    80%
                
                    Low credit utilization (<30%)
                    50%

3rd-Party Evaluation

Since launching our first FSS partnership in 2010, we have engaged in continual program monitoring and evaluation with external research partners to inform program modifications and evaluate the program’s impact. Starting in 2014, Compass engaged Abt Associates to conduct ongoing rigorous evaluation of our FSS programs. These studies have analyzed the impact of our programs on participants’ earnings, public assistance utilization, and credit and debt outcomes. Likewise, Abt has conducted multiple cost-benefit analyses of these programs.

This research supports our conviction that well-run FSS programs with a focus on asset building can support women and families to build savings, reach their financial goals, and become more financially secure. Likewise, these outcomes strengthen the case for FSS as the kind of powerful tool that we need, at a far greater scale, to narrow the racial and gender wealth divides.

full research catalog

earnings impact

Credit and Debt Impact

cost-benefit analysis

*Compass collects and analyzes a significant amount of data about our programs. Limited data is available regarding FSS program performance nationally and is included where available. Compass program data is current as of 8/31/2024. The data above includes both active and past partnerships with the following partners: Boston Housing Authority, Cambridge Housing Authority, The Caleb Group, Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development, Mercy Housing, Metro Housing|Boston, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Related Companies, and WinnCompanies.