Mfecs Minigrant Program Fund Your Finlit Project

Who likes Free Money?

The Montana Financial Education Coalition is proud to promote local efforts to expand financial education across our state. We hope that through this mini-grant organizations will be able to implement activities in their communities with an emphasis on Financial Literacy Awareness.

The mini-grants are to augment your existing activities or implement a new strategy or program. We ask that each organization receiving a mini-grant provide a synopsis of the impact the mini-grant had on their program and community. We would love pictures of activities, participants and program materials as well, which will both showcase your efforts and grow the program.

2014 MiniGrant Application

2014 Mfec Conference Was A Hit

“It’s never too late to make changes to improve one’s financial outlook.  It’s never too early to start financial education.” – 2014 MFEC Conference Attendee

Those that attended the 2014 MFEC Conference walked away with a wealth of knowledge they can put to use right away.

Thank you to Lieutenant Governor Angela McLean for kicking off the event, and impressing upon us that increased financial capacity is integral to our future.

Speakers Gene Natali, Jean Chatzky, and Belle Marie shared personal finance strategies for every stage: from teaching school-aged kids and engaging young adults to building wealth and protecting against fraud. We heard from elected officials Tim Fox, State of Montana Attorney General and Monica Lindeen, State of Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.

We heard a panel of experts including Jean Chatzky, NBC Today Show Financial Editor & AARP Financial Ambassador; Matt Dale, State of Montana Office of Consumer Protection, DOJ; Lynne Egan, State of Montana Deputy Securities Commissioner, CSI; and Melanie Hall, State of Montana Banking Commissioner. Together they fielded tough questions from MSU Extension’s own Dr. Marsha Goetting, and painted a picture of Montanans’ financial future. Afternoon breakout sessions offered a chance to delve deeper into nine specific financial arenas with recognized experts.

Check back as details unfold for:

  • The MFEC 2014 Kids Art Contest
  • Financial Impact projects funded through a Mini Grant from MFEC
  • Presentations from the conference

This event was possible only through the partnership of generous sponsors. Thank you.
ColorMSUExthorz     Womens Foundation NeighborWorks Montana NeighborWorks GF MTDOJ OCP MBA MBOH_Logo   MCUCD MSU MT Dept of Admin FRB EdwardJones    DA Davidson CSI

AARP Montana
 

 

Register Now For The 2014 Mfec Statewide Conference And Resource Fair

“Financial Security for a Lifetime” – featuring The TODAY Show’s Jean Chatzky!

Conference Dates:

April 28, 5:00 pm: Free Reception and Resource Fair Opening Remarks from Montana Lt. Governor Angela McLean and Keynote from Gene Natali, author of The Missing Semester, a personal finance primer for young adults 

April 29, 8:00am-5:00pm: Conference and Resource Fair

7:00 am Free Continental Breakfast
8:00am – 11:30am Free Conference Keynote by Jean Chatzky General Session Addresses by Monica Lindeen, Montana’s CSI and Montana Attorney General Tim Fox Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Marsha Goetting, MSU: Greatest Challenges to Achieving Financial Security for a Lifetime Featuring panelists Jean Chatzky, Matt Dale, Montana Office of Consumer Protection, Lynne Egan, Deputy CSI, Melanie Hall, Montana Banking Commissioner
11:45am-5:00pm Paid Conference Luncheon Keynote with Carroll College Professor Belle Marie: Understanding Financial Literacy Concurrent Breakout Sessions: Digging deeper into workable financial solutions for young adults, women, military, and protecting against fraud 2014 Mini Grant awards for YOUR financial literacy projects

Check out the agenda As if you needed another reason to register. Really.

Click here to register In case you’re one of few that haven’t yet.

Hands On Banking By Wells Fargo

Want to take charge of your own finances and reach your goals? Just pick your age group and get started! Whether you want to build your credit, your investments, or your own small business; invest in the market, a home, or higher education; shop for a loan, buy a car, or open your first bank accounts, the Hands on Banking program offers all the basic money tools, skills, and information you need.  The site has a course for military, seniors, entrepreneurship, adults, young adults, teens and kids.  The site also has mobile courses.  The lessons for school-aged children are aligned with national and state educational standards for economics, financial literacy, mathematics, and English language arts, making it easy to integrate the Hands on Banking program into the classroom.  There is a link for instructional sources.  http://www.handsonbanking.org/en/

2014 Mfec Conference Financial Security For A Lifetime

The Montana Financial Education Coalition presents

Financial Security for a Lifetime

The 2014 MFEC Statewide Conference and Resource Fair will host the TODAY Show’s Jean Chatzky as the Keynote Presenter. Ms. Chatzky is AARP’s Financial Ambassador, a best-selling author, an award-winning personal finance journalist, finance editor for NBC’s TODAY show, and the host of Money Matters with Jean Chatzky on RLTV.

WHEN: April 28 and 29, 2014
WHERE: Helena’s Red Lion Colonial Hotel
Visit the conference website for more information & to register.

Check www.mtmfec.org/, facebook or twitter for frequent conference updates.

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Stand Down for US Military Veterans is a series of events to combat homelessness among our Veterans. The goal for the Stand Down is to reach out to homeless Veterans, Veterans who are imminent of homelessness, as well as those who are low income. The Stand Down will include surplus gear (sleeping bags, boots, etc.), haircuts, VA service providers, community vendors, a meal and will also feature a Veterans Job Fair bringing local employers together to meet with Veterans needing or seeking reemployment. This event is open to Veterans, Active-Guard-Reserve personnel, and immediate family members or caregivers with escort. Attendees should be prepared to provide proof of service in one of the Uniformed Services.

How to get involved with a Stand Down in your area:

  • Tell veterans about services offered by your organization
  • Join the Job Fair
  • Invite veterans you know to attend

For more information (how to become a vendor, employer, service provider, volunteer) or to refer a Veteran, please contact:

Terry Stephens, HCHV Outreach Specialist ~ 406-447-6045
“As a US Army Combat Veteran, I am thankful for your support of my fellow Veterans. I look forward to working with you.”

The best way to prevent homelessness is not let it happen in the first place.

Upcoming Stand Down Contacts and Dates
City Date Location Contact Phone
Helena September 6, 2013 Gateway Center 1710 National Ave Terry Stephens 406-447-6045
Hamilton September 14, 2013 TBD Daniel Mayer 406-360-5435
Poplar September 14, 2013 Fort Peck Tribal Cultural Center Dan Hutchinson 406-653-6326
Great Falls September 26,27,28, 2013 Montana Expo Park Rodger McConnell 406-799-6709
Libby October 5 & 6, 2013 Armory 1004 Treasure Ave Alan Erickson 406-756-7304
Fort Belknap October 18, 2013 TBD Buck Richardson 406-439-6331
Crow Reservation October 25 & 26, 2013 TBD Buck Richardson 406-439-6331

How To Innoculate Against Poor Financial Decisions Council For Economic Education Cee Presents The Standards For Financlal Literacy

Read the full report here and use these standards to develop a framework for your school..

The Council for Economic Education is the leading organization in the United States that focuses on the economic and financial education of students from kindergarten through high school. CEE trains educators to teach young people the fourth “R”—a real-world understanding of economics and personal finance—so that they will be able to make informed and responsible choices throughout their lives as consumers, savers, investors, citizens, and participants in the global economy. Each year CEE’s programs reach more than 55,000 teachers and approximately 5 million students.

Hands On Banking For Military

Wells Fargo Joins Forces with National Foundation for Credit Counseling to Teach Financial Education Classes on Military Bases Across the U.S.

Wells Fargo & Company announced that it has launched Hands on Banking(R) for Military to address the financial literacy challenges facing military members, veterans and their families. Hands on Banking for Military is designed to address military members’ unique needs at every stage of their career. The program presents 10 individual lesson topics ranging from the basics of banking to planning for retirement.

“Many military members and their families face unique challenges that put them at a financial disadvantage, including deployments and moving around every few years,” said Brian McCullough, Wells Fargo Military Affairs program manager. “These men and women sacrifice their lives for us. The very least we can do is give them the right financial tools to help them through these transitions. They have been there for us. We want to be there for them.”

Wells Fargo has joined forces with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) to bring Hands on Banking for Military to service members in the continental United States. Through close to 700 locations across the country, NFCC’s Member Agencies will teach local Hands on Banking for Military classes. In addition to the group education designed to keep military personnel and their families on a path to financial stability, more than 2200 NFCC agency counselors will provide one-on-one personalized financial reviews, budget planning and concrete solutions to pressing financial concerns. Military and veteran groups wishing to have a representative teach a class, or individuals interested in scheduling a session with a financial specialist can contact the NFCC at (855) 374-2773.

Hands on Banking for Military is part of a broader Wells Fargo effort supporting military service members and veterans: helping active duty military service members and veterans achieve homeownership, helping veterans transition to civilian careers and providing customized financial education.

Hands on Banking for Military is an HTML-based course and is located at www.handsonbanking.org. The new HTML-based Hands on Banking courses contain the same trusted content as the Flash-based classic courses, but in a format that is designed for optimal experience on tablets and smartphones. The HTML courses also use the latest adaptive technology to ensure the program is available to users with differing abilities. In 2012, Wells Fargo delivered financial education lessons to 153,902 people and distributed 31,000 HOB CDs to schools and organizations all over the world.

For more information, please visit: http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&sty=20130718005310r1&sid=cmtx6&distro=nx

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wells-fargo-launches-financial-education-program-hands-on-bankingr-for-military-2013-07-18

Build A Stronger Montana End Childhood Hunger

Build a Stronger Montana: End Childhood Hunger
is a statewide summit held at MSU in Bozeman on Sept.23 & 24,
sponsored by the Montana Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.

Lori Silverbush, Co-Director of the movie, A Place at the Table, is the keynote speaker and will lead discussions after the movie screening at 7:00pm on Sept.23rd along with her husband, Tom Colicchio, Producer and Emmy-Nominated “Top Chef” Judge.  Governor Steve Bullock will provide the opening message followed by Montana’s First Lady, Lisa Bullock, to raise awareness about hunger in Montana and provide a greater understanding of the serious implications the issue has on health and our economy.  The summit will showcase best practices in communities across Montana to address child hunger along with opportunities to network and facilitated discussions to give individuals/groups the resources they need to take action in their communities. 

 You can make a difference!

Visit https://tofu.msu.montana.edu/cs/childhunger2013/ to register or for more information on the summit or the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.  Register before August 14th for early bird registration.

Please extend this invitation to your staff, colleagues, members, friends and networks.