Rural Dynamics, Inc.

Started in 1968 and located in Great Falls, MT, RDI started its Tax Help Montana program in 2004.  The program began with modest means: in the first year, Tax Help Montana had just one site in a small community and another in a Native American community.  Facing a population that had its challenges, with the unclaimed EITC rate up to 30% and 15.9% of Montanans in extreme Asset Poverty, RDI knew it would need to partner with community organizations to lower RAL take up rates, offer tax preparation, and offer culturally sensitive financial products. 

Rural Dynamics serves rural and Native American communities.

Originally concentrating solely on credit counseling, RDI has shifted focus to include asset building, financial education, individual development accounts, work support screening, and education and homeownership opportunities.  Today, Rural Dynamics serves communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and is the lone provider of free tax preparation services in Montana.  Last year, RDI prepared 6,254 tax returns with the help of over 150 volunteers, and plans to have at least one tax site in 22 out of Montana’s 56 counties. 

With such a rural target audience, RDI has used many means to communicate with potential clients.  In addition to traditional means of promotion, such as state-wide PSAs, site location website, site-specific marketing posters and flyers, RDI has utilized ad hoc tax clinics, limited time sites, to reach the sparse populations found in Montana.  These sites allow RDI to serve an additional 23 Native American and rural communities each year.  Partnering with Native American community organizations has allowed RDI to provide the significant Native American population with culturally sensitive products and financial services.  This initiative has been particularly successful, leading to 1,028 tax returns prepared for individuals from a Native American community. 

Several years ago, RDI had a breakthrough with many of its Native American communities, according to Karen Heisler, RDI’s Director of Asset Development.  “RDI hosted a Native American Youth Camp with attendees from each of the seven area tribal communities.  Once the camp was over, each of the 16 attendees received full four-year scholarships to the University of Great Falls.”  It’s just one example of a success story you won’t hear in the big city. 

Heisler says she is also looking forward to several other programs in the works.  For the past several years, RDI offered clients alternative Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs).  “The program was very successful.  Over 70% of our clients have maintained their banking relationship and gone on to add additional products over the last two years,” said Heisler.  RDI will also be implementing some youth civic engagement projects in Native American Communities in 2011. 

In addition to the services they provide, RDI is also involved in advocacy, both at the federal and state level.  As an affiliate and Steering Committee Member of NCTC, Heisler herself has participated in several of NCTC’s advocacy campaigns.  RDI is also a part of a coalition which established a 36% cap on interest rates for consumer loans, limiting the ability of payday lenders to engage in predatory practices.  For 2011, Heisler is focused on several issues at the local level.  “The most important advocacy issues for us are financial education in schools, the Montana state EITC, elimination of asset limits on TANF and transitional jobs programs.”