| |
Our communities benefit when its citizens possess sound, practical financial knowledge they can apply to their daily lives. To spread this knowledge, the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) created their program using a Holistic Campaign Approach to Financial Education. |
| |
By holistic the NFEC means that the program targets participants and influencers of the targeted students, to best accomplish the full scope of financial literacy goals. The campaign approach engages the whole community in the financial education process to present a far-reaching, appealing, sustainable program.
|
The NFEC pioneered their Holistic Campaign Approach to improve retention rates, raise test scores, and produce measureable long-term behavior change related to money skills. NFEC financial literacy initiatives are designed to be fun, engaging, and motivating—inspiring participants of all ages to take positive action.
Capabilities of the program extend from providing materials, training, and events to designing comprehensive campaigns. The NFEC’s commitment to the goals of end-users, hosts, sponsors, and partners has proven that sustainable programs can be established in communities around the world. |
 |
|
| |
Many financial literacy programs are one-dimensional, fail to align with larger objectives, and lack an overall campaign strategy. Typically they present little usable information; they can be boring and turn participants off the learning process. Attendance at such programs is frequently low. In contrast, the NFEC initiatives are strongly-supported, reach a wide audience, and employ fun, motivating instruction techniques. |
| |
Key Aspects of the Holistic Financial Education Campaign |
| |
Campaign Approach. The NFEC takes a campaign approach to implementing financial literacy initiatives. The council works to align overall campaign objectives with the goals of the parties involved, and promotions are rolled out strategically to maximize their benefits |
| |
Educational Material. The NFEC provides a variety of effective financial education resources. The material and training programs were developed by a team of financial professionals, educators, and industry experts. The result is practical material that engages participants and aligns with educational standards. |
| |
Support Team Training. Training a support team to reach target participants produces improvement in near- and long-term measures. The NFEC’s Certified Financial Education Instructor training program prepares instructors to teach financial literacy materials with increased confidence and effectiveness. The NFEC also trains other support members such as counselors, parents, spouses, and even the children of participants to help increase the program’s overall impact.
Sustainability. The most effective financial education programs deliver their message in perpetuity. Funding is needed to make that happen. The NFEC assists organizations to raise funds through grants, fundraisers, and sponsorships.
|
|
| |
Experience. NFEC campaigns create memorable initiatives to maximize the experience of the end-users, sponsors, and hosts—everyone involved. The NFEC has been recognized for “revolutionizing the way financial literacy is taught” through high-profile events. Together with celebrity and sport star partners, the NFEC delivers high-quality events and materials using media that appeal and relate to their target audiences. |
| |
Instruction Diversity. To maximize participant retention in today’s high-tech age, a campaign must include a variety of learning tools. Curriculum, virtual training, events, games, and interactive workshops—all of these play important roles in a comprehensive financial literacy program. Mixing various material and media helps maintain interest and accommodate different learning styles. |
| |
Measurement. The NFEC measures the impact of its financial literacy campaigns by testing and tracking long-term behavior change. NFEC testing is unique in that it measures three critical areas: motivating factors, topic knowledge, and ability to identify action steps. |
| |
Community. The NFEC has worked hard to garner support from the whole community: schools, influential citizens, media, sponsors, nonprofits, community groups, political leaders, and more. Thus the NFEC has increased awareness about financial illiteracy, built cadres of volunteers, raised funds, and assisted sponsors to build community goodwill. |
| |
Continued Education. The NFEC events, materials, and Certified Educators are designed to spur participants into action. Continuing education options provide participants with trusted learning resources, including virtual learning centers, financial literacy software, the Financial EduNation resource center, and more. |
| |
Awareness. The financial illiteracy epidemic is at a tipping point, and the NFEC is committed to getting our citizens’ financial feet back on solid ground. The ability to garner media attention serves not only the financial literacy movement, but also our hosts, sponsors, partners, and the community as a whole. |
| |
See the case studies below to see how all these are integrated to create a holistic financial education campaigns. |
| |
Program Development |
The NFEC creates (or improves) financial literacy campaigns designed and tailored around our partner’s specific objectives. From smaller initiatives to large-scale financial literacy outreach efforts, the NFEC provides expertise and resources that will make your financial education initiative a success. |
| |
Taking a holistic campaign approach increases the reach and frequency of the message, while building community support and empowering participants with practical financial education. Create a buzz and educate those you serve. Learn more by completing the information below: |
| |
|
| |
| Here’s an example of what a NFEC campaign might look like: |
| |
|
| |
The ‘Holistic Campaign Approach to Financial Literacy’ Presentation |
Are you looking to develop a sustainable financial literacy program that makes a lasting difference in your students’ lives? Look no farther than the National Financial Educators Council presentation, “The Holistic Approach to Financial Literacy Campaigns.”
This presentation provides the training and resources to allow organizations, educators, and concerned citizens to create sustainable financial literacy initiatives with lasting impact on the lives of the people they reach.
This presentation provides educators the information and tools necessary to teach financial literacy effectively, increase parental involvement, garner community support, and enhance program funding options to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.
|
|
| |
Case Study: Penn State University |
The NFEC, in collaboration with partners Penn State University and the Center for Financial & Consumer Outreach, developed a comprehensive program that provided local high school students and teachers with materials, ongoing training, and the resources to host successful events. |
| |
|
Youth from more than 15 high schools took part in the NFEC’s Real Money Experience event. Students visited a variety of booths where they received tools to handle the financial decisions they will face after graduation. |
| |
|
The NFEC’s Certified Financial Education Instructor training and volunteer training were presented to educators from 15 local schools and more than 50 volunteers. The trained volunteers interacted one-on-one with students during the Real Money Experience event. Teacher training gave educators the skills they needed to conduct ongoing training with their students. Training the target audience support group will help ensure the long-term success of the program.
Participating students and teachers received educational materials, including the NFEC’s Financial Capability Curriculum, virtual learning centers, and ongoing training resources.
|
|
| |
The Financial EduNation financial education resource center has been made available to the community, providing additional resources for parents, educators, students, and other concerned citizens. |
| |
Featuring 10+ sponsors and several nonprofits, the community was intimately involved with the campaign process. Several media outlets highlighted the community campaign and Penn State University’s commitment to serving the Tri-state area. In addition, a documentary filmed at the Penn State event will be used to promote financial literacy to an international audience. |
| |
Case Study: The National Veterans Foundation |
| |
Twenty-four million US veterans have shared a common challenge: coming home. Besides overcoming the psychological toll of deployment, today's returning veterans also face severe financial challenges. |
|
| |
Debt, limited savings, and credit issues are common among veterans. That's why the NFEC partnered with the National Veterans Foundation (NVF) to deliver a comprehensive financial literacy campaign for returning military personnel. |
| |
The NFEC developed custom curricula (instructors and student guides), PowerPoint presentations, volunteer training, pre- and post-tests, surveys, branding, marketing material, and web site copy-all designed to help prepare our veterans for the "financial battles" they may face at home. |
|
|
| |
|
| The NFEC was honored to create a comprehensive program for veterans, to deliver education that can make a lasting difference in their lives. We encourage you to support the National Veterans Foundation, the only organization that provides a toll-free hotline for veterans. |
|
|
