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Financial Education Awards

Right on the Money – Excellence in Financial Education Award

Dear Community Organizations:

Consumers United Association merged with GoWest Foundation on December 31, 2023.  Our awards program is now closed.  Thank you to every organization that participated in this program over many years.

 

ABOUT THE AWARD 

The Right on the Money Award seeks to honor the efforts of Colorado non profits, schools, organizations and others who are providing vital financial education to children, high school and college age young people and adults.

WHO CAN NOMINATE?

Any Colorado resident who knows about a program that meets our eligibility requirements can nominate an organization or individual. The person nominating a program will need to have the necessary information about the program in order to nominate them, however. Individuals, organizations, companies and schools can also nominate themselves.

ELIGIBILITY

The nominees must be located anywhere in the State of Colorado and can be a:

  • K-12 public, alternative or private school or
  • College or University or
  • Nonprofit organization or
  • Credit Union or
  • Other (i.e. companies, individuals providing financial education programs)

EXAMPLES OF SOME TARGETED AUDIENCES

Awards will definitely be considered for financial education programs for all types of groups and settings. We do, however want to encourage nominations for programs that reach people and audiences which have a great need for specialized types of financial education or financial planning. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Parents/Guardians of children and adults with special needs
  • Adults with disabilities
  • Young adults transitioning out of foster care
  • Technologically savvy children, youth, young adults and adults
  • Low-income families (parents, children, teens, young adults)
  • Disadvantaged populations
  • GLBTQ populations
  • People with other special healthcare needs such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, hemophilia
  • Family caregivers
  • Senior citizens
  • Single parents
  • Foster and adoptive parents
  • Veterans and their families
  • College students or college-bound students
  • Small business owners
  • Immigrants
  • Victims of violence and/or exploitation
  • Any other niche population in need of tailored programming to meet a special financial need

AWARD

Each organization that is selected by the committee to receive an award will also receive a cash award. The amount of the cash award will be determined by CUA’s review committee and board of directors.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS

The most important criteria is that the nominee must provide a financial education program, with classroom education, one on one education or webinars that teach skills. The focus can be on any area of financial education such as budgeting, investing, credit management, saving, retirement, special needs financial planning, etc., but there must be education involved either in groups or 1:1 as part of a broader program.

Additional criteria include:

  • Exceptional dedication and skill in providing meaningful learning which is shaping and influencing the financial lives of target populations
  • Innovation in teaching methods with measurable results
  • Inspiration and encouragement of students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn financial management skills
  • Unique ideas using collaboration and/or technology to serve important niche populations
  • The development of a new program for a target audience will be considered as well as continuing programs
  • Programs for which a small donation will have a significant impact are favored over large budget programs.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

We are very interested in innovation and programs that are not simply lectures, handouts or vaguely related as part of another service or program. Therefore, special consideration will be given to programs that:

  • Include the use of new technologies to provide more meaningful and engaging programs
  • Engage people in hands-on experiences
  • Help people solve difficult financial problems
  • Display entrepreneurship
  • Encourage collaboration
  • Address root causes and behaviors that can lead to financial problems

PREVIOUS NOMINEES AND AWARD RECIPIENTS

Previous nominees and award recipients may apply again this year. Please provide us with a brief report of your successes last year within the recent results section of your application.

The award has been given to 30 organizations since its inception. They included programs that serve:

  • Young girls
  • Teenagers and their parents
  • People experiencing poverty
  • Low-income people starting businesses
  • People with disabilities
  • Foster youth
  • Domestic violence victims
  • Trafficking victims 
  • Senior citizens
  • Teachers
  • Working people
  • Immigrants