MONEY SMART TOPEKA. MONEY SMART WICHITA and FINANCIAL SCHOLARS CONTEST. MONEY SMART MONTH KANSAS 2015 and HOW TO BECOME A PARTNER

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1 page one MISSION, ABOUT, and CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW page two MONEY SMART TOPEKA page three MONEY SMART MONTH KANSAS CITY and TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE page five MONEY SMART WICHITA and FINANCIAL SCHOLARS CONTEST page six MONEY SMART MONTH KANSAS 2015 and HOW TO BECOME A PARTNER

2 MONEY SMART MONTH MISSION The mission of Money Smart Month (MSM) is to promote and expand financial resources throughout Kansas, encouraging financial education awareness to Kansas consumers. WHAT IS MONEY SMART MONTH? Money Smart Month is an annual community outreach initiative during the month of April that coincides with Financial Literacy Month across the nation. It is designed to promote and encourage financial awareness for all ages through classes, workshops and the delivery of various resources. Money Smart Month is a coordinated effort by financial institutions, non-profits, schools, libraries, and government agencies to advance financial education through public awareness and the sponsorship of a series of events. The events cover all facets of personal finance and promote the importance of financial education, inform consumers about financial resources, and provide free educational resources for all demographic and income levels. It is also a chance for financial education providers to showcase their work and services through a cooperative, concentrated approach. More information is available at ANNUAL CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW Being smart about money earning, saving and investing, spending, protecting against risk, and borrowing is important. That is why, in a model similar to campaigns in 14 other states, like-minded organizations in Kansas joined together for the Money Smart Month (MSM) Kansas 2014 campaign. Beginning in fall 2013, a steering committee planned the campaign, recruited partners, and sponsored activities during the month of April Campaign partners increased exposure of their financial education products and services by building stronger relationships with consumers within their communities. Through our activities, we promoted and expanded financial literacy opportunities throughout the state, encouraging awareness of financial education opportunities. Our objectives are raising awareness about the importance of financial education, delivering high quality financial education, and demonstrating the range of financial education tools and services available in Kansas. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (center) signs a proclamation recognizing the efforts of MSM Kansas during Financial Literacy Month in April. A reception about MSM Kansas followed. (March 20, 2014 at the Kansas State Capitol Building, Topeka, Kan.)

3 MONEY SMART TOPEKA The first Money Smart Day Topeka took place April 5 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Free concurrent financial education workshops were offered to the general public. Topics offered included: College savings 101: How 529s can help families save Credit reports matter: How credit reports and credit scores affect life decisions for years to come Comparison shopping: Finding a great deal on anything Your spending, your saving, your future Getting the funds you need for college Mortgage 101 Attendees who completed an evaluation indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed that the workshops were a good use of their time (100%) and made them more aware of Kansas financial education resources (98%). The majority of respondents reported that the information presented during the workshops was useful (98%) and that they plan to use the information presented (98%). All of the respondents indicated that they were likely or very likely to change the way they manage money because of the session. Respondents completing end of workshop evaluations ranged in age from 18 to 78 years old. Four out of five were female. Two out of three respondents had annual household incomes of $49,999 or less. The majority learned about Money Smart Day Topeka from the library, a family member, or at school or work. Doris Watson was the winner of a Kindle Fire in a drawing for her participation in the 2014 Money Smart Month Day in Topeka, Kan. Doris said the half-day event was a good resource for everyone, especially women. Doris (center) is pictured here with Money Smart Month steering committee members and her mother, Linda Gonner. Left to right: Kirk Haskins, Linda Gonner, Doris Watson, Shannon Stone, Kathy Clark. Tara Proctor (right) attended the Money Smart Day event in Topeka in April where she went to workshops about establishing good credit and purchasing a home. Tara said the workshops were very good and the information presented is helping her better prepare for future homeownership. Tara (right) is pictured with Money Smart Month steering committee member Shannon Stone.

4 MONEY SMART MONTH KANSAS CITY $core Your Goals Financial Funfest The $core Your Goals Financial Funfest on April 6 at Sporting Park KC was an educational and entertaining event held in Kansas City, Kan. Offerings included: Educational workshops and resources about money management Tools and tips for transforming your financial future with financial pro Andres Gutierrez, a member of Dave Ramsey s team (offered in English and Spanish) Soccer clinics and autograph signing with Major League Soccer champions Face painting and games for kids Opportunities to win prizes Sporting Players Uri Rosell and Ike Opara pose for photos with attendees. Speaker, Andres Gutierrez, provides one-on-one financial advice to attendees. Teach Children to Save The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City completed its ninth year of involvement with Teach Children to Save, a national initiative created by the American Bankers Association. Volunteers from 15 partner organizations visited 257 classrooms in 74 different schools in Kansas, reaching approximately 5,530 kindergarten through third grade students. A student displays a free piggy bank he was given as part of the program to encourage him to save.

5 MONEY SMART MONTH WICHITA In Wichita, several activities for youth took place during Money Smart Month, including an art contest and a Money Smart Camp. Savers participating in a Savings Challenge increased the balances in their emergency funds by an average of $53. State Treasurer Ron Estes joined MSM partners to help recognize Wichita initiatives at the closing event luncheon. Partners included Downtown Senior Services of Wichita, DreamCatcher Wealth Management, Kansas Council for Economic Education, Minerva Foundation for Financial Literacy, Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, Upward Bound Prep, and Youth Educational Empowerment Program. Students gather with Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes and Stan Webb at the MSM Wichita Closing Event Luncheon. (April 24, Wichita, Kan.) FINANCIAL SCHOLARS CONTEST This is a still from the video, Cruise-in Into Investments. the overall 1 st place winner of the 2014 Kansas Financial Scholars Video Contest, sponsored by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner. The Kansas Securities Commissioner sponsored the annual Financial Scholars Contest. Students from Ell-Saline High School were selected as the winners. The winning team and their teacher received ipad minis as a prize for their first place video. Search Cruise-in Into Investments on YouTube to view the winning video. Success of Money Smart Month Kansas 2014: 54 Partners 277 Events 7,030 Kansans of all ages reached

6 DISCOVER YOUR OPPORTUNITIES MONEY SMART MONTH KANSAS 2015 Plans are underway for Money Smart Month Kansas The goal of Money Smart Month remains constant, the campaign aims to provide workshops, seminars, programs and events to help individuals, families, students, homeowners, businesspersons, employees and other community members expand their opportunities through improved financial literacy. The Money Smart Month campaign objectives are: Raising awareness among individuals, policymakers, employers, educators and social service organizations of the importance of financial education; Providing individuals with high-quality financial education resources across various Kansas counties; Demonstrating the range of financial education services that are available to meet the diverse needs of Kansas constituents. The 2015 campaign seeks opportunities to broach other potential financial topics that were identified by participants following the 2014 events. These opportunities include learning more about budgeting, financial planning, saving and investing, and credit/debt management. HOW TO BECOME A PARTNER If your organization shares the mission of promoting and expanding financial literacy throughout Kansas, consider participating in MSM Kansas Your support can help us reach more Kansans to share financial education information and resources. Learn more and get involved at Money Smart Month Kansas 2014 Steering Committee Capital City Bank, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Kansas State Department of Education, K-State Research and Extension, Mazuma Credit Union, Minerva Foundation for Financial Literacy, Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner and Office of the Kansas State Treasurer

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