MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) has awarded seven grants to nonprofit organizations advancing financial education initiatives across Wisconsin. The mission of the WBF, the non-profit arm of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, is to promote financial literacy and capability through education, scholarships, grants, and research. The grants were presented at the WBF Gala on September 25, 2025, at the Goodman Community Center’s Brassworks Building in Madison.
The following organizations were chosen to receive grants based on their alignment with WBF’s mission and their program’s impact on Wisconsin communities:
- Asset Builders – The statewide high school Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl competition was awarded $5,000, marking WBF’s fifth year of support. WBF also partners to help recruit volunteers from the banking industry to serve as quizmasters, judges, and scorekeepers at the regional and state tournaments.
- Eastbrook Academy – The Empowering Educators for Financial Education Excellence project at Eastbrook Academy in Milwaukee was awarded $3,000, marking WBF’s second year of support. The grant supports professional development and resources for educators who lead the school’s Learn & Earn program. The initiative equips students with skills in budgeting, saving, investing, and managing credit while providing hands-on skills through running an on-campus café.
- Economics Wisconsin – The statewide middle and high school Stock Market Game was awarded $5,000, marking WBF’s third year of support. Over a ten-week competition period, students work in teams of one to five players, managing a mock $100,000 investment account and making stock trades based on their own research. Along the way, they learn key economic concepts such as supply and demand, scarcity, and opportunity cost.
- Faith Christian School – The Risk & Rewards: Senior Economics Business Challenge at Faith Christian School was awarded $5,000. The initiative guides students in developing a full business plan — complete with research, budgets, sales goals, and marketing strategies — and pitch their ideas in a competition judged by local entrepreneurs. The project concludes with a financial literacy photo-booklet informing ways young people can invest in their community.
- Northwestern Wisconsin Community Services Agency, Inc. – The Supportive Housing initiative was awarded $2,500. The program assists households experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence by offering rental subsidies and intensive case management. Participants receive financial guidance on budgeting, credit, health insurance, and savings.
- SecureFutures Foundation, Inc. – The SecureFutures’ Money Coach project pairs high school juniors and seniors from historically under-resourced communities with volunteer business mentors who teach financial literacy and provide one-on-one coaching. Through 11 sessions, students build lifelong money management skills and can earn up to $350 in scholarships as they practice applying what they’ve learned.
- Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation – The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) expands access to financial literacy training for entrepreneurs across Wisconsin, with a special focus on rural regions. Through financial literacy trainings on budgeting, credit building, retirement planning, and more, WWBIC equips current and aspiring small business owners with the tools to strengthen their financial footing.
