Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
Encyclopedia
The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of national organizations seeking to advance the financial literacy of pre-kindergarten through college-aged students. Jump$tart Coalition endeavors to provide youth with life-long financial decision-making skills. By working together with its 150 national partners, the Jump$tart Coalition provides advocacy, research, standards and educational resources. The Jump$tart Coalition is headquartered in Washington, DC.
, is credited with the concept that led to formation of the Jump$tart Coalition in 1995. Odom's contribution to the financial literacy effort continues to be recognized through the award that bears his name, the William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award. H. Randy Lively, former President and CEO of the American Financial Services Association
, organized the first meeting of what was then called the "Partnership in Personal Finance and Consumer Credit Consortium." Through the next year, Dr. Lewis Mandell developed the financial literacy survey that is now a hallmark of the Jump$tart Coalition's work. Students from Bladensburg High School
in Maryland
helped create the current slogan ("Financial Smarts for Students") and logo. In 1997, the Jump$tart Coalition was incorporated with Lively serving as the first Chairman of Jump$tart. He was succeeded in 2008 by Neil Milner, President and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, who will serve as Chairman through 2011.
, and John Gannon of the FINRA
Investor Education Foundation, who serve as Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively.
The Coalition also includes a network of 49 affiliated state coalitions that operate on a local level to promote financial literacy. Most of the state affiliates are modeled after the national Jump$tart Coalition, although some serve a broader target audience and some do not use the Jump$tart name. State coalitions operate under independent leadership and bylaws and are connected to national Jump$tart Coalition through affiliation agreements. State coalitions are run primarily by volunteers, and are assisted by national Jump$tart's four regional consultants.
to highlight the importance of financial literacy in America. The Jump$tart Coalition, Junior Achievement
, and the Council for Economic Education
founded “Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill” in 2003, which has since been held every April. Financial Literacy Day offers the Capitol Hill community and the public an opportunity to learn about the financial literacy effort and experience educational products from more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors-most of which are Jump$tart partners. Financial Literacy Day marks the culmination of Financial Literacy Month and is one of the Jump$tart Coalition's premiere events.
History
William E. Odom, former Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit CorporationFord Motor Credit Company
Ford Motor Credit Company is the financial services arm of Ford Motor Company, and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.Its business activities are concentrated primarily in the area of automobile loans in support of its parent company...
, is credited with the concept that led to formation of the Jump$tart Coalition in 1995. Odom's contribution to the financial literacy effort continues to be recognized through the award that bears his name, the William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award. H. Randy Lively, former President and CEO of the American Financial Services Association
American Financial Services Association
American Financial Services Association is a trade association for the U.S. consumer credit industry headquartered in Washington, D.C.. AFSA’s 350 members include consumer and commercial finance companies, vehicle finance/leasing companies, mortgage lenders, credit card issuers, industrial banks...
, organized the first meeting of what was then called the "Partnership in Personal Finance and Consumer Credit Consortium." Through the next year, Dr. Lewis Mandell developed the financial literacy survey that is now a hallmark of the Jump$tart Coalition's work. Students from Bladensburg High School
Bladensburg High School
Bladensburg High School is a secondary school located in Bladensburg, Maryland.The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Prince George's County Public Schools district....
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
helped create the current slogan ("Financial Smarts for Students") and logo. In 1997, the Jump$tart Coalition was incorporated with Lively serving as the first Chairman of Jump$tart. He was succeeded in 2008 by Neil Milner, President and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, who will serve as Chairman through 2011.
Organization
The Jump$tart Coalition comprises more than 150 corporate, academic, non-profit and government organizations that, together, provide advocacy, research, standards and educational resources for financial education. Laura Levine currently serves as the executive director of the Jump$tart Coalition. Along with Chairman Neil Milner, the leadership includes Don Blandin of the Investor Protection Trust, Colleen Tressler of the Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
, and John Gannon of the FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
In the United States, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, is a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization . FINRA is the successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ...
Investor Education Foundation, who serve as Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively.
The Coalition also includes a network of 49 affiliated state coalitions that operate on a local level to promote financial literacy. Most of the state affiliates are modeled after the national Jump$tart Coalition, although some serve a broader target audience and some do not use the Jump$tart name. State coalitions operate under independent leadership and bylaws and are connected to national Jump$tart Coalition through affiliation agreements. State coalitions are run primarily by volunteers, and are assisted by national Jump$tart's four regional consultants.
The Jump$tart Coalition's Work
The Jump$tart Coalition maintains the National Standards in K-12 Personal Finance Education, which serve as a program-design and evaluation framework for school administrators, teachers, curriculum specialists, instructional materials developers, and educational policymakers. Combined with the Jump$tart Coalition's best practices guidelines, the standards serve as a guide for state and local policymakers in implementing financial education legislation. The Jump$tart Coalition developed the first national conference devoted to classroom teachers of personal finance in 2009.Financial Literacy Month
April was first promoted by the Jump$tart Coalition as Financial Literacy Month for Youth and later National Financial Literacy MonthFinancial Literacy Month
National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in the United States in April in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits....
to highlight the importance of financial literacy in America. The Jump$tart Coalition, Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement or JA or JA Worldwide is a non-profit youth organization that was founded in 1919 by Horace A. Moses, Theodore Vail, and senator Winthrop M. Crane. JA focuses on educating kids in K-12 about the free enterprise system...
, and the Council for Economic Education
Council for Economic Education
The Council for Economic Education is a national non-profit organization "committed to empowerment and opportunity through economic and financial literacy."...
founded “Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill” in 2003, which has since been held every April. Financial Literacy Day offers the Capitol Hill community and the public an opportunity to learn about the financial literacy effort and experience educational products from more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors-most of which are Jump$tart partners. Financial Literacy Day marks the culmination of Financial Literacy Month and is one of the Jump$tart Coalition's premiere events.