Causes: Federated Giving Programs, Philanthropy

Mission: To provide financing opportunities for people with disabilities and older pennsylvanians, helping them to acquire assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives. An assistive technology device is defined as any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability.

Programs: Patf is a non-profit, community development financial institution (cdfi) that provides no-interest mini-loans ($100 to $1,500) and partial grants to people with disabilities and older pennsylvanians for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. In addition, patf is a credit broker and has contracted with bryn mawr trust and sovereign bank to extend low-interest loans ($1,000 to $60,000) for assistive technology. Patf may provide a loan guarantee (up to $25,000) if the applicant's credit doesn't meet traditional lending standards, but he/she has demonstrated an ability and willingness to repay a loan. Patf staff provides extensive information and assistance services to pennsylvanians regarding other possible funding resources. Patf's products and services also include one-on-one financial education, assistance with tax preparation (vita program), all underwriting activities related to borrowing, and the reporting of repayments to two of the three credit bureaus so that borrowers have an opportunity to improve their overall credit-worthiness.