National Disability Institute (NDI), the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to the financial empowerment of people with disabilities, announced today that it received a $4 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The gift is the largest donation the organization has received from an individual donor in its 17-year history.
“NDI is thrilled and honored to be recognized for our work to improve economic and financial outcomes for people living at the intersection of race, ethnicity and disability,” said Thomas Foley, Executive Director. “This transformative gift will ensure NDI’s sustainability, continuity and ability to meet our mission for the next decade.” He continued, “We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with NDI’s partners and funders, and are grateful for their support and belief in our mission these many years, to ensure all people with disabilities have access to the information, tools and services to meet their ambition, talents and potential.”
Based in Washington, D.C., and founded in 2005, National Disability Institute is the only national organization exclusively focused on the financial health and wellness of people with disabilities and their families. With an emphasis on systems change, NDI builds strategic relationships with and between diverse partners in the disability community and public and private sectors to increase financial inclusion, reduce poverty and address the wealth gap experienced by people with disabilities.
To date, NDI’s work has resulted in more than $1 Billion in savings in ABLE accounts representing 100,000 new savers with disabilities; $41 Million earned by participants in NDI’s American Dream Employment Network; $4.5 Million saved from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Trust Fund due to people with disabilities reentering the workforce; and a nearly 19 percent reduction in the unbanked rate for people with disabilities nationwide, from 18.1 to 14.8 percent.
