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+1 (512) 386-9145
iact@interfaithtexas.org
901 Trinity St 
Austin, TX 78701

Financial Literacy Program





Mission


The mission of the Financial Literacy Program is to empower Austin’s youth with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence and success.

Purpose
iACT’s Financial Literacy Program, involving Interfaith Action of Central Texas, Project Connect and the City of Austin, provides financial education to youth (grades 6-12) in our community to help prepare them for a financially secure future. The mission of the Financial Literacy Program is to empower our youth with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence and success. By focusing on school-age children, we have the opportunity to equip all involved with a comprehensive financial literacy education which will guide them on the path to making healthy financial decisions. The program consists of workshops and classes taught by financial professionals, bankers and educators. Participants have an opportunity to learn about career exploration and planning, budgeting, saving, investing and investment risk, and ways to address financial challenges. Starting their lives with tools they need to budget responsibly, set strong financial goals, make wise choices about debt and plan for savings and investment will help program participants reach long-term wellbeing. We have amassed our resources to create partnerships between the financial sector and low-income communities to create long-term financial knowledge and opportunity. Our efforts will bring knowledge and power to young people so they have the tools to become financially stable adults with the bandwidth to become more vocal advocates for themselves and their communities. We hope to help marginalized communities thrive financially and be fully included in Austin’s prosperity. To create a city where everyone, inclusive of all races and ethnicities, can thrive, we must work towards closing the wealth gap. Financial literacy is a key component in achieving that goal.


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Program Objectives and Services


1. Education: Financial education is provided to youth in grades 6 through 12.
2. Knowledge and Engagement: Program participants engage in workshops, classes and activities that promote financial literacy. Participants learn about budgeting, saving, career exploration and planning, credit, debt, investment vehicles and more.
3. Exposure – Bank Visits: Participants visit financial institutions where they learn about banking options directly from banking leadership.
4. Connection: Participants meet and connect with financial professionals, bankers, educators and business leaders. Partnerships are developed between the financial sector and low-income communities by connecting them with financial professionals in our network.
5. Application – Investment Opportunity: Participants who fully engage and complete all requirements receive a gift of $1,000 from iACT that is invested in a long-term investment vehicle for future access. This investment makes saving and investment more tangible to participants under the advisement of financial professionals and starts participants on the path toward planning for long-term financial health.
6. Language Interpretation: When necessary, language interpreters will be available to ensure workshops are accessible to non-English speakers.
Incentives: A $20 gift card is provided to each enrolled participant who attends and completes a full workshop/session. Participants have the opportunity earn up to $200 in gift cards.

Program Details for 2025 FLP Cohort
  • Program participants are required to thoughtfully engage in and complete all sessions and activities in order to receive funds for the $1,000 investment opportunity and gift cards totaling up to $200
  • In-person program components occur during school holiday breaks (spring break and summer)
    - Virtual sessions are offered in January, February and April

Program Timeline


  • January Cohort Kickoff: Saturday, January 25, 2025
  • February Cohort Meeting: Saturday, February 22, 2025
  • Spring Break Session: March 17 & 19, 2025 OR March 18 & 20, 2025 (2 sessions held IN PERSON at iACT)
    - Participants choose which 2 days they attend in March
  • April Cohort Meeting: Saturday, April 12, 2025
  • Summer Session 1: June 9-12, 2025 OR June 16-18 & 20, 2025 (4 sessions held IN PERSON at iACT)
    - Participants choose which week they attend in June
  • Summer Session 2: July 14-17, 2025 OR July 21-24, 2025 (4 sessions held IN PERSON at iACT)
    - Participants choose which week they attend in July
  • Cohort Celebration for 2025 Program Completion: August/September 2025
    - Date to be announced

**This timeline is subject to change. Any changes made to the timeline will be communicated to all enrolled participants in a timely fashion.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Household Location: Applicants must be existing residents living within one mile of a Project Connect transit line or station in areas with vulnerable, active and chronic displacement risk, as evidenced by the Project Connect Anti-Displacement Maps and Dashboard
  • Income Eligibility: Applicants’ gross annual household income should not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the current Area Median Family Income (AMFI) limits for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA
  • Verification of Enrollment: Verification of Enrollment is acquired from the school/educational institution the applicant is currently attending. Participants must be in grades six (6) through twelve (12) to participate.
  • Age Limit: Applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age or younger at the time of application.
  • Number of Eligible Household Members: Only 1 member in the household will be guaranteed acceptance in the program if eligibility criteria listed above is met and sufficient funding and space is available


Click the map below to find an interactive eligibility map: