FINRA Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide Announce Over $1.2 Million in Financial Literacy Grants

As part of the “Financial Education in Your Community” initiative, United Way Worldwide and the Investor Education Foundation of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced over $1.2 million in funding to nine organizations to support financial literacy.

The initiative is managed jointly by United Way and FINRA and provides funds to programs across the United States that provide financial education tools and resources to individuals and families. Since 2009, funding through this Financial Education in Your Community initiative has surpassed $7 million to more than 50 community-based financial literacy projects.

This year’s group of funding recipients, which represent the fifth annual set of grantees, include the following:

Kentucky Domestic Violence Association, Frankfort, KY
In cooperation with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association will expand the reach of its financial stability programs to include low-income students from 16 colleges across the state. Grant amount: $149,600

Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco, CA
The Mission Economic Development Agency will partner with the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment to pilot a workplace financial education and coaching program for low-income employees at six hotels.
Grant amount: $150,000

Step Up Savannah, Savannah, GA
Step Up Savannah and the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah will build on a successful workplace financial education program through the addition of financial counseling and coaching services. Program partners will also refine marketing materials to attract new employers and continue the development of an innovative Financial Employee Assistance Program.
Grant amount: $150,000

United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines, IA
United Way of Central Iowa will partner with the Iowa Department of Correctional Services' Fifth Judicial District, the Des Moines Area Community College, and Iowa Legal Aid to provide financial education, financial coaching, and other support services to improve the self-sufficiency and financial stability of men under correctional supervision by the court.
Grant amount: $150,000

United Way of Chittenden County, South Burlington, VT
Through its Working Bridges program, United Way of Chittenden County will provide a comprehensive and integrated financial education model to help low- to moderate-wage employees improve their financial stability and their family's economic well-being. Project partners will test a model to provide services for small businesses, introduce a new workshop module on insurance and investing basics, provide increased opportunities for financial coaching, and refine program communication and marketing efforts.
Grant amount: $150,000

United Way of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
United Way of Greater Atlanta will provide Making Wages Work financial education programs in the Atlanta's Promise Neighborhood, integrate financial education into the work of other non-profit agencies serving the area, embed financial education in a parent leadership development program, and train selected program graduates to provide financial education and coaching.
Grant amount: $140,690

United Way of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
The United Way of Greater Milwaukee will work in partnership with Journey House and the YWCA of Southeastern Wisconsin to integrate basic financial education with existing GED test preparation coursework.
Grant amount: $150,000

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Inc., Wooster, OH
United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties will collaborate with the Wayne County Child Support Enforcement Agency and The Ohio State University Extension to provide financial education and coaching for parents who are obligated by the court to make child support payments.
Grant amount: $50,000

YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish, Seattle, WA
The YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish will partner with the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Financial Empowerment Network – Seattle-King County to expand the availability of financial stability services for victims of domestic violence.
Grant amount: $150,000