Out of the Mattress

Financial literacy can make the difference between survival and prosperity. But for immigrants, U.S. financial systems often feel intimidating, confusing, and opaque. With no credit history, high living costs, and family obligations, they face obstacles to financial security the rest of us never encounter. Out of the Mattress teaches immigrants to budget, invest, and plan for the future. We’re advocating for a healthier economy, stronger communities, and generational progress. Immigrants are the backbone of our economy: one in 10 immigrant workers owns a business. Still, many of them lack the knowledge to become full participants.  A nationwide Pew survey of 3,000 Latin Americans found 25% believed that to open a bank account, they’d need a Social Security number, even though 73% of banks accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). And a survey of 1,300 immigrants by the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs found those with a bank account are 2.7 times more likely to have over $500 in savings. Our organization is committed to giving immigrants the knowledge to navigate U.S. financial systems and achieve lasting financial stability. But we can’t do that without your help.  We’re raising $30,000 to fund our financial education program through Q3. By donating, you’re connecting immigrants to the financial skills they need to turn their dreams into reality—whether that means a new home, a college education, or a family reunion.  Thanks to our work this year, dozens of immigrants have already put money into high-yield savings, brokerage, and retirement accounts. Our students report feeling more confident and less fearful when dealing with money, and a new sense of agency over their spending. As one student said: “I used to just go with the flow, living paycheck to paycheck like my family always did. Now I understand I can save for the future and have more. This course helped me overcome my fear of investing and showed me I’m capable of understanding finance - something I never thought possible.” We envision a country where everyone, no matter where they were born, feels confident building a budget, saving for a home, or opening a retirement account. Your support makes this vision possible. Join us in the movement to build a country where all of us have the financial skills to build lasting peace of mind.