Midas at 25: A Legacy of Collective Action
“There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we now have the resources to get rid of it.”
On December 10th, Midas gathered with friends and community partners to celebrate a milestone 25 years in the making. The afternoon was both a reflection on how far we’ve come as an organization and a powerful reminder of what is possible when people commit, together, to building opportunity and economic mobility.
Decades ago, a group of visionaries united around a bold idea: that all residents of Massachusetts deserve the opportunity to build wealth, shape their future, and thrive. What began as a modest effort to support families on their financial journeys grew into a statewide movement rooted in collective action, shared responsibility, and the belief that systems can, and must, be designed to work for everyone. Under the leadership of Margaret Miley, our late founding Executive Director, Midas began by listening and grounding its work in the experiences and priorities of the communities it served. This approach connected working families to practical, effective tools that helped them save, plan, and open doors that had long been closed. Over the years, that work has translated into real, life-changing impact. We’ve watched parents purchasing their first homes. Students saving for college. Workers rebuilding credit. Families laying foundations for futures filled with promise. These stories were not just individual successes, they were proof that when people and the organizations serving them are supported, economic mobility becomes possible.
This work was never done alone.
For 25 years, Midas advanced its mission alongside nonprofit partners, financial institutions, advocates, and policymakers who believed in the power of asset building. Together, we showed up at the State House. We built coalitions. We shaped policies that recognized the importance of savings, financial stability, and long-term investment in families and communities across the Commonwealth. The journey was not without challenges. When federal Assets For Independence funding ended, the landscape shifted and Midas adapted. The organization rebuilt and reimagined its approach and emerged stronger, demonstrating that resilience was not just a value promoted through programs but a defining characteristic of the organization itself.
While much of the celebration reflected the work itself, the moment ultimately centered on the people behind it. We cut cake, reminisced over photos from decades past, and shared stories that live on with each retelling. We shared the room with both new and familiar faces, and it’s clear that this work has always been sustained by the people who show up, year after year. As we celebrated 25 years, we did so with deep gratitude, gratitude for those who built this work intentionally over decades, and for those who continue the work today, meeting the moment with renewed motivation and purpose; and for those just joining the fight, bringing new energy, ideas, and commitment to expanding opportunity and reducing wealth inequality.
This celebration marked more than an anniversary. It reaffirmed that the work of asset building is ongoing and that the next chapter will be written collectively, just as the first was. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of Midas’ journey, and your commitment to supporting families and economic justice makes this work possible.
Here’s to 25 years, and to all that comes next.
