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Grants support nonprofit financial literacy programs

December 18, 2017

A diverse group of Delaware nonprofit organizations will share in nearly $300,000 in grants from the state's Financial Literacy Education Fund this year, supporting programs across the state to help Delawareans from all walks of life make better financial decisions for themselves and their families.

"Our communities grow and prosper when more Delawareans have the tools they need to manage their financial lives, make smart decisions with their money, and plan for their futures," said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock, whose department oversees the FLEF grant program. "By supporting the organizations that help promote financial literacy, we're making an investment in the future economic health of our state."

Since the FLEF was established in 2010, more than $2 million has been awarded to more than two dozen organizations to improve financial literacy for Delawareans of all ages. Students in Delaware schools have learned the importance of saving money, families living in rental housing have been coached along the path to homeownership, and pregnant and parenting young women have learned how to develop financial plans to strengthen their futures.

"These grants for our citizenry, particularly when directed to our children and young adults, are the most basic and necessary economic and workforce development investments the state can make," said Rob Eppes, president of Junior Achievement of Delaware. "In addition, FLEF grants bridge gaps in private funding that are increasingly challenging for nonprofits to fill."

This year, a total of $290,000 was awarded to 18 nonprofit organizations to support programs that met criteria established by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner. Funding for the FLEF is derived from a license fee charged to businesses that make high-cost payday loans and car title loans.

Applications for FLEF grants were considered on the basis of how they improve the financial literacy of Delawareans, especially programs that are proactive, preventive, and forward-thinking. Programs and services funded with FLEF grants are designed to reach populations or geographic regions that have limited access to financial literacy resources, with special emphasis on reaching out to members of the military, seniors and minority communities.

Organizations receiving grants include: Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Delaware Center for Enterprise Development, Delaware Council on Economic Education, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, Delaware Multicultural & Civic Organization, Girls Inc. of Delaware, Junior Achievement of Delaware Inc., Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, First State Community Action Agency, Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware Inc., NCALL, Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corp., Opportunity Center Inc., West End Neighborhood House Inc., YWCA Delaware Inc., Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement and United Way of Delaware.

 

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