2026 - 2027 Academic Year
Tackling Financial Wellness School Grant Program
Program Overview
The Tackling Financial Wellness Grant Program is a school-based initiative that supports creative, age-appropriate financial education activities to help increase awareness, access, and engagement in money management skills. Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is inviting schools to apply for a grant to use these funds to further financial education at their school.
Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is deeply committed to improving financial well-being across the communities we serve. Through comprehensive education, hands-on programs, and strong community partnerships, JDCU empowers individuals and families to build confidence, resilience, and long-term financial stability. Through this initiative, we are inviting schools to partner with us by applying for this grant—working collaboratively to identify and address the unique financial education needs of their students and expand access to meaningful, real-world financial wellness programming. By partnering with schools, we actively encourage students and educators to participate in JDCU’s financial wellness initiatives, bringing practical financial education into the classroom and fostering positive money habits at an early age.
How will your school use this grant funding to strengthen financial education during the 2026–2027 school year?
Eligible applicants include elementary, middle, and high school teachers within our field of membership.
Field of Membership: Massachusetts counties of Middlesex or Essex; Cities or towns of Fitchburg, Leominster, Harvard, Lunenburg or Lancaster; New Hampshire counties of Hillsborough or Rockingham.
Grant proposals should support one or more of the following goals:
- Increase student understanding of core money management concepts
- Expand financial education opportunities across grade levels
- Encourage innovative, school-driven approaches to financial literacy
- Promote equitable access to financial education resources
Top Three Winners from Applicants of All Grade Levels
Grants will be awarded based on alignment with program goals, demonstrated student impact, outreach efforts, a feasible implementation plan, and a realistic, well-defined budget. A minimum of three (3) grants will be awarded, with individual awards ranging from $500 to $2,000.
- Application Period: May 26, 2026 – June 30, 2026
- Review Period: July 2026 (impact, creativity, and alignment will be considered)
- Winners Announced: By the beginning of the 2026-2027 School Year
Eligible Applicants: Elementary, middle, and high schools within the field of membership
Use of Funds: Must directly support financial education, awareness, and student engagement initiatives
Checks will be made payable to the school, and a W-9 form may be requested. Proceeds must be used in the 2026-2027 school year.
Grant funding will support the following, to be used solely for the Financial Wellness Program:
- Financial Education Programming (e.g. workshops, classroom lessons, guest speakers aligned with financial wellness topics)
- Education Materials & Curriculum (e.g. workbooks, educational games, visual learning tools)
- School-Wide Awareness Campaigns (e.g., savings challenges, daily tips, student created messaging)
- Student Engagement & Leadership (e.g., clubs, ambassador programs, student led presentations)
- Career & Real-World Readiness (e.g., budgeting and credit basics, college and career financial planning)
- Family & Community Engagement (e.g., financial education nights, multilingual resources, accessibility materials)
- Supplies & Support Materials (e.g., marketing materials, non-monetary participation incentives)
- General operating expenses
- Staff salaries, stipends, or payroll expenses
- Capital improvements or non-educational equipment
- Activities unrelated to financial education
- Direct cash awards to students
Schools will submit a brief summary after completion of the program, including outcomes, participation highlights, and optional photos/student feedback.
School Grant recipients will be recognized through Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and its affiliates, including through photos and testimonials.
Elementary (Grades K–5)
- Financial literacy day or themed assembly
- Classroom resources (books, board games, hands-on activities)
- School-wide savings or goal-setting challenge
- Visual aids (posters, bulletin boards, learning displays)
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Interactive workshops or speaker series
- Budgeting and goal-setting projects
- Student-led awareness campaign (announcements, posters, videos)
- Technology-based learning tools or simulations
High School (Grades 9–12)
- Real-world money management workshops (paycheck, budgeting, credit)
- Student financial literacy club or peer education initiative
- Guest speakers (banking, credit, entrepreneurship, budgeting)
- Capstone or project-based learning focused on personal finance