Financial Literacy Resources

Financial Literacy Resources

The CrossState Credit Union Foundation provides guidance and funding to credit unions and their partnering nonprofit organizations working to educate and improve the financial literacy skills of consumers of all ages.

In addition to these resources, the Foundation provides grant funding for initiatives such as in-school materials and programs, community and workplace programs, development of student-run branches, savings days and Financial Reality Fairs.

Before applying, please review the Financial Literacy Grant Application.  If you need assistance or have questions about your application, please contact the Foundations’ office at 800-932-0661 x 2213.

Donate to Foundation

Leaders in Financial Literacy

Learn about the winning projects of the Foundation’s Leaders in Financial Literacy Award Winners

2021
ABCO FCU — “Virtual Homebuyer Seminars & Financial Topics”
AmeriChoice FCU — “AmeriChoice Friday Night Rivals Football Financial Literacy”
Credit Union of New Jersey — “Virtual Financial Education Program”
Lanco FCU — “ReSet Redirecting Students to Excel and Thrive”

2020
Belco Community Credit Union —  “Team Belco Believes”
Members 1st of New Jersey FCU — “Budget Seminars”
PHEPLE FCU — “Path to Financial Literacy”
Pinpoint FCU — “The Credit Medic”

2019
AmeriChoice FCU — “Financial Literacy for the Underbanked”
Belco Community Credit Union — “Believe in Community”
Members 1st FCU — “Members 1st FCU and Milton Hershey School: 2018 Educational Initiative”
TruMark Financial Credit Union — “Financial Jeopardy”

2018
NET Credit Union — “Student Loan Seminars”
North East Welch FCU — “Community Financial Literacy”
TruMark Financial Credit Union — “TruMark Financial @ Work

2017
CLARIFI — “The Medical-Financial Partnership
Mercer County Community FCU — “Mercer County Community FCU Teaches Real-Life Financial Lessons to High School Students”
NET Credit Union — “The Credit Score Program”
Members 1st FCU — “Adult Education: Lunch and Learn Program”

2016
Family Services of Western Pennsylvania — “Ways to Work Transportation Loan & Financial Literacy Program”
PA Assistive Technology Foundation — “Cents & $ensibility: A Guide to Money Management”
PHEPLE FCU (formerly Westmoreland Community FCU) — “Partners in Learning Program”
PSECU — “WalletWorks: Expanding Financial Education Beyond the Classroom”

JumpStart

JumpStart is one of the best clearinghouses for financial literacy available at present. Since CrossState Credit Union Association is a member of JumpStart, credit unions are welcomed to visit its website at www.jumpstart.org for appropriate information.

NEFE (National Endowment of Financial Education)

NEFE provides a free teacher’s guide and student curriculum available for high school financial education. Materials will no longer be available in 2021.

Junior Achievement USA

Junior Achievement is providing free online resources to teachers and parents during this period of the COVID virus. They are doing this so our kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today. We are committed to doing this until we can all be certain again.

The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program

The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program is a youth education and marketing suite developed exclusively for credit unions in response to the documented need to introduce financial education to young learners. Children are exposed to age-appropriate money management concepts through hands-on activities as they learn the many benefits of credit union membership. The program resonates with generations of adults who grew up with The Berenstain Bears and trust them.

Financial Literacy Tools

Financial literacy tools are available from a variety of sources.  Here are just a few for your reference:

Empowering Youth to Save

Young people can get valuable information about starting good personal finance habits and building long-term wealth.

Download “Empowering Youth to Save,” an infographic produced by the NCUA.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

In a series of focus groups, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that the primary money wish parents have for their children is for them to learn to save and spend wisely. Almost 90% of the parents agreed that information and guidance from family members is the most common way children learn these skills.

To support parents and caregivers in this important task, CFPB offers the Money as You Grow book club.  The Money as You Grow book club is a family financial education program that uses children’s books to help families learn key money concepts through reading, play, and quiet one-on-one talks.  Many parents and caregivers are eager to build a good financial literacy foundation for their kids, but might not feel they have enough time, tools, and confidence. Fortunately, many of the building blocks for financial well-being – like patience, planning, and problem-solving – don’t require a lot of financial know-how.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Download the CFPB Implementation Guide, a step-by-step guide for facilitators who want to start a Money As You Grow Book Club.
  • Locate books from the Money As You Grow Reading Listat your library, featured books that encourage interest in money and provide age-appropriate money concepts.

Order free copies of the Money as You Grow Parent Reading Guides, booklets that go with each book on the list, containing summaries, activities, and tips to support family money conversations. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

The CFPB is also offering the “Your Money, Your Goals” toolkit, companion guides and booklets.  The toolkit has information to help you talk about money with those you serve. 

Biz Kid$ – Helping Kids Make and Manage Money

Biz Kid$ is a financial literacy initiative, launched nationally in January 2008, that teaches kids about money and business. The initiative includes a TV series, free classroom curriculum, outreach activities, a website and a monthly on-line newsletter targeting children 9 – 16 years old.  It is the first national public television series promoting financial education for elementary and middle school students.  The National Credit Union Foundation is responsible for fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities for Biz Kid$. The Foundation’s involvement solidifies the commitment that America’s credit unions have to educating our youth in the skills necessary to be financially literate.  Click here for more information about Biz Kid$.

Testing Financial Health

Challenge your employees and members to test their financial health.  They can use one of these resources to do so:

Other Resources

Help protect the elderly from financial abuse:

Check out Credit Union Senior Safeguard by Better Values Better Banking.