For Immediate Release: October 8, 2026
DPI, DFI Award $296,000 to Expand Financial Literacy Education
29 Schools, Districts, and Community Organizations Awarded Funding
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, in partnership with the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability, announced today they have awarded $296,000 to schools and community-based organizations across the state to enhance personal financial literacy education. A total of 29 Financial Literacy Innovation Grants were awarded to schools and organizations across the state. Funding for the grant program is provided by the DFI through settlement dollars for financial literacy education.
“Financial literacy is about much more than understanding money,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “It helps students develop practical skills to make informed decisions and plan for their futures. We have a responsibility to prepare students not just to graduate, but to thrive after graduation, and enhancing personal financial literacy is a key part of that preparation.”
The program supports implementation of the Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy in the classroom, as well as compliance with Wisconsin Act 60, which requires Wisconsin schools to offer a half-credit personal financial literacy graduation requirement, starting with the Class of 2028. The grant program is designed to support the efforts of individual teachers and school districts to begin innovative and sustainable financial literacy programs and events, with a specific emphasis on meeting the graduation requirement.
In addition to enhancing the financial literacy programs offered to students, many grant recipients are extending programs to include families and communities in events that will improve financial literacy generationally in their communities.
“Through this collaborative effort, we are helping educators introduce new and creative financial literacy programs across Wisconsin,” said DFI Secretary Wendy K. Baumann. “These grants will help thousands of students expand their financial knowledge and become better prepared to make sound financial decisions as adults. We sincerely thank our educators, schools, and community organizations for helping Wisconsin’s students learn personal financial literacy skills.”
More information about the Financial Literacy Innovation Grant program and a full list of the grant recipients is available on the DPI website.
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DPI Media Contact Email: Media.Inquiries@dpi.wi.gov Phone: (608) 266-3559
DFI Media Contact Email: DFICommunications@dfi.wisconsin.gov Phone: (608) 261-4504