Michael Biesheuvel (1L)

Corporation for Enterprise Development

Washington, D.C.

Michael is working with the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) in Washington D.C., a national nonprofit that has been a leader in promoting asset building in low-income communities. As part of the CFED team, Michael is working in two project areas in particular: the federal Assets for Independence (AFI) program, and the Innovations in Manufactured Homes (IM HOME) initiative. The policy analysis he is doing involves consumer financial protection, home titling, zoning, tax incentives, and individual development accounts, and brings Michael into contact with the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation, the IRS Code, as well as numerous federal agencies and the regulatory rulemaking process. For Michael, the appeal of development generally and asset building specifically is its potential to break cycles of poverty, strengthen communities, and empower people to realize more of their potential.

July 28, 2011

Now that the end of my internship at CFED is in sight, I have begun reflecting on my time as a whole, and I have only the highest praise for the whole experience.

As a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, part of the reason I wanted to work in Washington, D.C. was to gain new experiences and new perspectives that are simply unavailable back home, and this summer has not disappointed in that respect. The best example of this is the national perspective so prevalent here in D.C. Outside of the corporate sector, one will not often find efforts in Seattle which are national in scope and focus. We instead tend to imagine regional, statewide, or community-specific circles of effect, which is probably due at least in part to our geographic location. At CFED, however, there is an assumption underlying every brainstorming session, project, and conference that national implementation is the ultimate goal. After working in such an environment, the United States suddenly does not seem quite so large, and affecting change at the national level does not seem so out-of-reach. This shift in perspective is exactly the type of personal experience I hoped to take away from this summer.

While I have the chance, I would also like to share the "think-do-invest" action model at CFED because it is an exciting and effective model for large-scale public interest reforms. First, CFED identifies promising ideas for new initiatives that are intended to facilitate asset building in low- and moderate-income communities. Most of these ideas are generated internally, which is CFED's think-tank component. Next, the idea is tested through a small-scale demonstration project, often staged in a few different locations around the country. Finally, if the results are promising, CFED attempts to scale the project nationally by showcasing to policymakers and private industries the success of the demonstration project. These three stages comprise CFED's "think-do-invest" model, and I think it is a highly effective way to implement innovative ideas.

Over the summer, I have been asked to tackle new and sometimes daunting tasks, which has been challenging at times but also rewarding. I am confident my work has contributed to the asset-building community and to efforts that will improve the material wellbeing of millions of low-income Americans. And for this opportunity I am so grateful.

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June 24, 2011

Three weeks have passed since I began my summer internship, and I could not be happier with the experience. As a newcomer with much to learn, the first days felt like trying to drink from a fire hose, but everything quickly began falling into place.

Because this is my first internship of any kind, I did not know what to expect. I had heard tales about underwhelming internships where interns were given very little work, or merely asked to make photocopies or enter data. Happily this has not been the case for me. From the outset, my supervisors entrusted me with projects of great substance and influence. As a member of the Federal Policy Team, the memos I write are read at some of the highest levels of government, I get to work directly with leadership in government agencies, and I have already participated in two meetings on Capitol Hill. This national focus, from our nation's capital, means that the work I do at CFED has the potential to affect millions of Americans, which is an exciting and humbling thought. I am so grateful to CFED and PILF for this terrific opportunity.

Thus far, most of my efforts have been directed toward the federal Assets for Independence program (AFI). AFI is designed to help low-income individuals and families save money to pay for postsecondary education, buy a home, or launch a business. The money participants save to purchase one of these qualifying assets is matched with grant funds. It is a fantastic program, but there is room for improvement. So, one of my assignments is to research legislative and regulatory solutions. This work entails statutory interpretation, administrative law, and collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families which oversees and regulates AFI. Looking ahead, my focus will soon be redirected toward facilitating legal solutions to some of the challenges resident-owners of manufactured homes face.