Name: Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota.

What: A four-year pilot project created in 1998 to help low-income people achieve self-sufficiency by saving money.

How it works: Participants contribute $30 per month. The money is matched three to one by the federal government, the state and, in Duluth, the Northland Foundation. The money can be used to buy homes, start or expand businesses, or go to college.

Who: Participants must be employed but earning less than $17,180 per year as individuals; $23,220 as a family of two; or $29,260 as a family of three. Income guidelines add $6,040 for each additional family member. Participants also must attend classes on buying a home and managing finances.

Sponsor: In Duluth, the project is run by the nonprofit Community Action Duluth. Call 726-1665 and ask for Pam Johnson.

Other players: Other Northland participants include Minnesota Community Action Agencies; Minnesota Extension Service; Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth; Northeast Entrepreneur Fund Inc.; North Star Community Development; Wells Fargo Bank; Project SOAR; The Salvation Army; Wendell Phillips Community Development; Federal Credit Union; Women Venture; and the Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth tribes.