On March 31, 2021, the White House issued a proclamation on National Financial Capability Month, which has been recognized every April since 2003 in the United States. The proclamation noted that financial education builds financial capability and helps families to access assistance, build financial resilience, and benefit from a stronger and more equitable economy.
One of the organizations working to increase financial capability across the board is the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. This is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C., that takes the form of a coalition of more than 100 national organizations and a network of 51 independent, affiliated state coalitions that share a commitment to advancing youth financial literacy.
Organizations in the Jump$tart Coalition work together to educate and prepare our nation’s youth for life-long financial success. Jump$tart supports these financial education efforts and brings together the financial literacy community to foster cooperation and collaboration. Jump$tart also works to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy and effective financial education.
Many NILA members are associated with the Jump$tart coalition through the work of the AFSA Education Foundation, which is a sustaining partner of Jump$tart.
Jump$tart has a number of Key Initiatives:
- Project Groundswell: A national grassroots effort designed to get more financial education into more schools for more students. To learn more, visit org.
- Financial Literacy Month (April): A month-long campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of financial literacy.
- Annual Awards Dinner: The event kicks off Financial Literacy Month, bringing together the financial literacy community to honor accomplishments in the field.
- Hill Day: An opportunity for the financial literacy community to raise awareness on Capitol Hill.
- The National Standards: Created to delineate the personal finance knowledge and ability that young people should acquire during their kindergarten through 12th grade school years.
- Jump$tart Clearinghouse: The premier online library of financial education resources.
- National Educator Conference: The only national conference dedicated to financial education in the classroom and the professionals who teach it.
- Jump$tart Financial Foundations for Educators: A comprehensive content model that ensures consistency and rigor in professional development for teachers.
NILA encourages its members and the general public to support the work of Jump$tart and other financial capability organizations, in order to increase the financial empowerment of individuals and families.
More information about JumpStart can be found at www.jumpstart.org.
SOURCE: Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy