Financial Literacy Month: April 2025

In 2025, we celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Financial Literacy Month, underscoring the ongoing importance of financial education in our fast-changing world. As inflation, geopolitical tensions, and other economic pressures continue to challenge households across the country, understanding personal finance is more crucial than ever.

What Does Financial Literacy Month Represent?

Since 2003, April has been designated by US legislators as National Financial Literacy Month, an initiative aimed at promoting financial literacy and education for all Americans.

Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to focus on improving their financial knowledge. It’s a chance to deepen our understanding of money management and set ourselves up for financial success.

This April, let’s commit to taking control of our financial futures. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already making strides in budgeting, saving, and investing, Financial Literacy Month is the perfect time to challenge yourself to learn more and make positive changes that can benefit you and your loved ones for years to come.

Who Gets Involved in Financial Literacy Month

Each April, communities across the nation come together to celebrate Financial Literacy Month, a time dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for sound financial decision-making. The range of participation is wide, encompassing diverse activities designed to educate people of all ages, from students to senior citizens. Whether it’s through engaging workshops, social media campaigns, or interactive events, the goal is to make financial literacy accessible to everyone.

At the forefront of Financial Literacy Month’s initiatives are the state affiliates of the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. These organizations play a pivotal role in organizing events and offering resources tailored to their local communities. To explore how you can get involved, find your state’s Jump$tart affiliate by visiting their website.

State departments of finance, banking, or consumer affairs also support Financial Literacy Month by organizing workshops, publishing resources, and participating in various activities. These governmental bodies, which oversee banking institutions and financial services, often have listings of financial literacy events open to the public.

Additionally, financial institutions like banks and credit unions often get involved as part of their community development efforts, frequently offering free resources or workshops as part of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. Ask your local bank or credit union about their involvement and encourage them to participate if they aren’t already engaged.

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies, such as those affiliated with the Financial Counseling Association of America, are some of the most active participants in Financial Literacy Month. They offer free or low-cost resources that help individuals and families learn critical financial skills such as budgeting, credit management, debt reduction, and emergency savings strategies.

Educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities, also play a major role by integrating financial literacy into their curriculum during April. Teachers and professors in economics, business, and consumer sciences often incorporate personal finance topics into their lesson plans. Reach out to educators in your community to learn more about what’s happening near you.

Libraries, too, have increasingly become hubs for financial education, hosting events and workshops throughout Financial Literacy Month. These programs, often led by financial professionals, cover essential topics like budgeting, credit usage, and debt management.

Finally, for the military community, including active-duty personnel, veterans, and families, Financial Literacy Month is a continuation of the financial education provided during Military Saves Week. Many base family service centers offer workshops and resources specifically tailored to the financial needs of military families during this time.

How Money Fit Is Supporting Financial Literacy Month

Money Fit has proudly supported Financial Literacy Month since 2004 when we hired our first financial education director. Over the years, we’ve participated in and led various initiatives to promote financial literacy across the nation. Some of our past efforts include organizing a Piggy Bank Beauty Contest in Idaho, providing classroom presentations from elementary schools to colleges, and hosting live financial literacy broadcasts to kick off the month.

In 2025, we continue our commitment to expanding financial education through our online platforms. We have added more courses to our award-winning Money Fit Academy, including the popular My Life My Choices budgeting activity. This 30- to 45-minute scenario-based challenge is designed for middle and high school students, offering them a real-life experience of budgeting and financial decision-making. Upon completion, each student receives a free certificate of completion in PDF format, sent directly to their inbox.

Additionally, Money Fit is offering weekly Money Fit LIVE webinars throughout April, addressing practical money topics like budgeting, credit management, and debt reduction. These webinars include live chat options where participants can ask questions and receive expert advice in real-time.

Through these efforts, we aim to make financial literacy accessible to individuals of all ages, helping them to improve their financial well-being not only in April but throughout the year.

How You Can Get Involved

If you believe in the importance of Financial Literacy Month as we do, there are plenty of ways to get involved! Start by reaching out to your state’s Jump$tart Coalition to inquire about volunteer opportunities or events you can participate in. They may invite you to attend meetings, volunteer at local events, or even help organize activities in your community.

On a personal level, we encourage you to use Financial Literacy Month as a chance to improve your own financial literacy. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Check out and read a personal finance book from the library.
• Take one of our free webinars and share what you learned with your social media network.
• Read a children’s personal finance book to the younger members of your family. We recommend The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money, and we’ve even created a program to give free copies to kids across the country.
• Subscribe to a new blog or podcast about personal finance, whether it’s a topic you love or an area where you need more help.

Every action you take, no matter how small, can contribute to a greater understanding of personal finance and help you build a more stable financial future for yourself and your family.

Here’s How to Get The Most From Financial Literacy Month

April may not bring rain showers to every state, but one thing it does bring across the country is Financial Literacy Month. Supported by the National Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and its state affiliates, Financial Literacy Month has grown to involve financial institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and schools, all working together to promote financial wellness.

This month provides a great opportunity for everyone, regardless of their current financial knowledge, to learn something new about personal finance. Take advantage of local workshops, webinars, and free resources to expand your financial literacy and empower yourself for the future.

State Financial Literacy Events

Financial Literacy Month events vary significantly at the state level. Many states kick off the month with a proclamation signing by the governor or a representative, often in a public ceremony at the state capitol. These events are typically free and serve as a great learning opportunity for young people interested in civics and financial education.

Some states host conferences, while other organizations offer educational events and programs throughout April. For example, in Idaho, the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition (the state chapter of Jump$tart) promotes a Piggy Bank Beauty Contest for elementary school students, encouraging them to learn about saving in a fun and engaging way.

Wherever you are, check with your state’s Jump$tart affiliate or your state department of finance, banking, or consumer affairs to learn about events happening near you. Many of these agencies organize workshops, webinars, and activities that promote financial literacy during April.

Organizations Participating in Financial Literacy Month

Banks, credit unions, nonprofit credit counseling agencies, schools, and many other organizations participate in Financial Literacy Month each year. Some offer free personal finance courses, while others host in-person workshops or provide educational resources online.

Money Fit by DRS is one such organization, offering 24/7 access to free personal finance courses via our online Money Fit Academy. These courses are designed to help individuals and families improve their financial literacy, whether they’re just starting out or looking to deepen their knowledge.

Other organizations, such as colleges and county extension offices, also host a variety of programs throughout the month, making financial education accessible to people of all ages. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities, whether online or in person.

Why Financial Literacy Matters

Financial literacy is critical for building a secure financial future. Studies show that individuals with a better understanding of personal finance are more likely to save for emergencies, avoid high-interest debt, and achieve long-term financial goals like homeownership and retirement. Yet, despite its importance, financial literacy is still lacking in many households.

Personal finance remains the number one cause of arguments within marriages, and parents consistently rank teaching financial responsibility to their children as one of their top priorities. However, only a handful of states require high school students to take a personal finance course before graduating. This leaves many young adults unprepared to navigate the complexities of budgeting, credit management, and saving.

Poor financial literacy leads to poor decision-making, which can have long-term negative consequences on a household’s ability to reach its financial goals. By participating in Financial Literacy Month, you can take steps to improve your understanding of personal finance and set yourself up for success.

Whether it’s through attending workshops, reading financial literature, or taking online courses, this April is the perfect time to enhance your financial knowledge and empower yourself to make better financial decisions.

How to Get Involved with Financial Literacy Month

If you’d like to get involved with Financial Literacy Month as a volunteer, the first step is to contact your state’s Jump$tart Coalition or local organizations that focus on financial education. You can also reach out to banks, credit unions, schools, and nonprofit organizations to inquire about events in your community and how you can contribute.

At Money Fit by DRS, we’re happy to help connect you with like-minded individuals and organizations working to promote financial literacy across the country. Financial literacy is a nationwide effort, and we all have a part to play in building a financially literate society.

Questions Related to the National Financial Literacy Month

Who started National Financial Literacy Month?

In 2000, the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) organized Youth Financial Literacy Day. Shortly after, the Jump$tart Coalition expanded the event into a month-long initiative to promote financial education for all ages. In 2003, US lawmakers officially recognized April as National Financial Literacy Month, encouraging Americans to learn about personal finance.

Who decides that April is Financial Literacy Month?

April is designated Financial Literacy Month through annual resolutions passed by US lawmakers, along with proclamations by state and local governments. Many states, cities, and towns join the initiative by passing their own resolutions and organizing events to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy.