Press Release  Treasurer Deb Goldberg Announces Recipients of Financial Literacy Grants for the Military Community

Boston — Today Treasurer Goldberg announced the recipients of the Operation Money Wise: Financial Education Opportunity Grant funded through her Office of Economic Empowerment. This newly launched program supports non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions in Massachusetts that foster financial literacy in the Military, Veteran, Family and Survivor Community (MVFSC).

Through an extensive application process that culminated this month, the Treasurer’s Economic Empowerment Trust Fund awarded four organizations across the Commonwealth a total of $20,000 in grant money to expand upon or establish these initiatives. Applicants for this grant were eligible to receive up to $5,000 of funding for their program.

“These financial literacy grants will further empower our military community and their families to make informed financial decisions” said Treasurer Goldberg. “I am honored to support organizations that work to bring economic stability to the men, women and families who help keep our country safe.”

These grants aim to increase the scope of financial education for military personnel and their families and provide them with the tools they need to achieve financial stability through regional conferences. Many of these workshops will include strategy sessions on managing money, planning for college, preparing for retirement and monetary decision-making.

The 2016 Grant Recipients are:

• Community Teamwork, Inc. (Lowell)
• Heidrea for Heroes (Plymouth)
• Quincy Community Action Programs (Quincy)
• United Way of Pioneer Valley (Springfield)
• American Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Inc. (Worcester)

The Economic Empowerment Trust Fund goal is to promote the long-term economic security and stability of all Massachusetts residents. Its mission is to educate and provide the resources and opportunities for people of all-ages to empower themselves, with access to the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions throughout their lives. Through the Trust Fund, in collaboration with other public agencies and community based organizations, we will create and support programs, policies, and capacities that achieve these goals. Our priorities include financial education, closing the gender wage gap, college affordability, and promoting STEM education. Programmatic goals of the Trust Fund are implemented through the Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment.

On day one, Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the gender wage gap, increasing access to financial education, improving college affordability, and investing in STEM careers and education.

For more information on the Office of Economic Empowerment visit www.mass.gov/treasury/empowerment.

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