Money Smart Wisconsin is a financial literacy awareness and education campaign. It is the highlight of April being national financial literacy awareness month, a collaborative effort by state and federal agencies and private-sector groups working to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy. In Wisconsin, the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), is spearheading the Money Smart Wisconsin campaign along with many volunteers and organizations throughout the state. The Money Smart Wisconsin campaign promotes financial literacy and awareness through financial education classes, activities, and opportunities for Wisconsinites by bringing together different organizations to help them share their expertise, leverage limited resources, and expand community participation in financial education efforts.
This year’s Money Smart Wisconsin campaign includes “The Big Read,” a statewide effort where adults at dozens of locations will read books with personal finance lessons to children in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, and the Money Smart Wisconsin Scholarship Contest, where 15 graduating high school seniors will be recognized with a scholarship for their essay submissions outlining how they plan to pay for the cost of college or career training. Scholarship submissions are due by Friday, March 8, 2024, for a chance to win one of 15 scholarships to be given as a $1,000 contribution to a new or existing Edvest 529 account. Wisconsinites are also encouraged to start saving for higher education with the Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program. The program offers two savings plans, Edvest 529 (direct-sold) and Tomorrow’s Scholar (advisor-sold), both administered by the DFI.
The Money Smart Wisconsin campaign was first launched in 2006 as an initiative of the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability to encourage organizations across the state to get involved in financial literacy education efforts. Each year, excluding the years during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 600 partner organizations, representing community groups, financial institutions, and government agencies, educate over 12,000 individuals at more than 500 events across Wisconsin.
For additional information, contact the DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy, which provides information to the public on matters of personal finance and investor protection, with an emphasis on the financial and economic literacy of Wisconsin’s youth. This office also provides administrative support to the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability and administrative oversight of the Money Smart Wisconsin campaign. If you are interested in becoming a Money Smart Wisconsin partner, please email David Mancl, DFI’s Office of Financial Literacy Director, at David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov.
Contact Us
David Mancl
Financial Literacy Director
Office of Financial Capability
Phone: (608) 572-5794
Email: David.Mancl@dfi.wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Office of Financial Capability
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705
Physical Address:
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Office of Financial Capability
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705