Nashville Financial Empowerment Center offers no-cost financial counseling to Davidson County residents through a Mayor's Office program in partnership with United Way.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
The Nashville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is a government-supported financial counseling program launched in 2013 as a partnership between the Mayor's Office of Nashville and Davidson County and United Way of Greater Nashville. It operates as a free service specifically designed to serve residents of Davidson County who need professional guidance on managing their finances. Since its inception, the organization has built a track record of helping nearly 12,000 clients improve their financial situations through one-on-one counseling relationships. The center is located at United Way of Greater Nashville's offices at 217 S. 10th St. in Nashville and can be reached at 615-748-3620 or fec@unitedwaygn.org.
The FEC provides comprehensive financial counseling services delivered by trained financial counselors available in English and Spanish, with access to additional language and translation services. Services include budget creation, debt management, credit establishment and improvement, savings planning, cashflow optimization, emergency planning, and legacy planning. Clients work one-on-one with counselors to develop personalized strategies addressing their specific financial situations. The center explicitly distinguishes itself from tax preparation services, directing clients seeking VITA free tax prep to unitedwayfilefree.com instead.
What distinguishes the Nashville FEC is its demonstrated impact and government backing. The organization publicly reports concrete outcomes: since 2013, clients have collectively reduced debt by $39.6 million and increased savings by $7.4 million. As a government program under the Mayor's Office, it serves all Davidson County residents regardless of income level or credit history. The free-help model eliminates financial barriers to accessing professional guidance, and the partnership structure with United Way provides institutional stability and professional standards.
The primary caveat is that this service is counseling and planning-focused, not a debt resolution or credit repair entity. The FEC helps clients develop strategies and change behaviors but does not dispute credit report errors, settle debts, or issue credit products. Results depend on client follow-through and implementation of recommendations. Additionally, service is geographically limited to Davidson County residents and requires scheduling appointments rather than offering immediate crisis assistance.
When evaluating options, consumers should compare debt consolidation loans, which combine multiple debts into a single fixed-rate payment. Credit counseling through nonprofit agencies offers free budgeting help. For those whose credit has been damaged, credit repair services can address inaccurate negative items. Nonprofit counselors can help consumers evaluate whether an installment loan for debt consolidation makes sense given their income and existing obligations.
Yes. Nashville Financial Empowerment Center is a registered company, headquartered in Nashville, TN.
Nashville Financial Empowerment Center plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.
Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Best for Davidson County residents seeking professional guidance to improve financial habits, build credit, manage debt, or save for future goals without cost barriers. Primary caveat: this is educational counseling, not debt resolution or credit repair—clients must implement recommendations themselves, and services are limited to appointment-based scheduling in a specific geographic area.
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