As Commonwealth’s Board of Directors, our commitment to the organization’s mission to make financial security and wealth creation possible for everyone is paramount, and we believe reflecting on our role in and responsibility to address inequities is integral to that mission.  After discussion and reflection, we want to state our shared beliefs and commitments about Commonwealth’s work and mission:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident….”

Audacious words that founded a nation. Words written not as boast but as a challenge and call to action. Words that point the way to sustainable hope. Our work as the Commonwealth Board points us to these truths:

• Financial insecurity is pervasive in America, impacting people across demographic, geographic, and political boundaries.
• Far too many people have negligible net wealth and face enormous obstacles to build more.
• Wealth disparities grow from more than individual choices; structures and systems play a powerful, often decisive, role.
• Systemic factors, including racism and sexism, disproportionately burden low-income people, women, and, especially, People of Color.
• The legacy of slavery and Jim Crow policies profoundly shape Black Americans’ wealth today.
• Pervasive financial insecurity is corrosive for individuals and families. 
• Pervasive financial insecurity weakens the economy.
• Pervasive financial insecurity undermines our democracy.
• Addressing these issues requires those who are secure and have power, like ourselves, to act.

As we acknowledge the shortcomings of today, we affirm the dignity of individuals, the strength of collective action, the power of partnership, the potential of markets, and the critical role of government.

We challenge ourselves to partner with leaders in corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, civil society, and government to take concrete action to forge a sustainable tomorrow. Together we seek to:

• Affirm a belief that everyone should have basic financial security and an opportunity to build wealth;
• Communicate commitment to help make this possible;
• Resolve to understand the financial security of our stakeholders (workers, customers, clients, constituents, or communities);
• Create a plan to address financial insecurity among these stakeholders, including realistic means to build emergency savings, and over time, wealth;
• Support and help build systemic solutions for financial security and wealth creation; and
• Challenge, encourage, and support those we influence to do the same.

Together, we will create a stronger and more vigorous society with financial security and opportunity for all.

Signed,