West Albany High School Teacher Joey Running is the Oregon 2024 Financial Empowerment Educator of the Year.
CELEBRATING OREGON FINANCIAL EDUCATION HEROES
Across the state, unsung heroes are helping Oregonians to be better equipped to make financial choices and lead more secure lives.
Oregon Treasury’s Financial Empowerment Awards recognize standout educators and community champions for their efforts to help more people be prepared to navigate our complex financial system.
The awards are made possible through a collaboration with the
Oregon College Savings Plan, which helps Oregon families save for higher education and job training.
NOMINATE A FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT LEADER TODAY
Nominations are accepted until March 1, 2025
AWARD CATEGORIES
Financial Educator: This award recognizes educators and/or administrators who have gone above and beyond to make financial literacy education more widely available, more relevant, and/or more exciting to help students make smarter money decisions, now and in the future. Candidates must be a classroom teacher, educational assistant, librarian, or administrator at an accredited K-12 Oregon public, private, or charter school; school district; or Education Service District.
The honoree receives $1,500 and another $500 to their school. In addition, students at the school – chosen at random – share $500 in scholarships from the Oregon College Savings Plan.
Previous honorees:
2022 – Ryan Ashlock, Parkrose Middle School, Portland
2023 – Amy Fifth-Lince, Liberty High School, Hillsboro
2024 – Joey Running, West Albany High School, Albany
Financial Empowerment Community Champion: An organization, association, business, or education enterprise that makes a positive difference when it comes to improving financial wellness and empowerment for Oregonians. The organization should be based in Oregon or have a significant presence here.
The champion organization receives $2,000, plus can “Pay It Forward” and designate another financial empowerment-focused organization or effort to receive $500.
Previous honorees:
2022 – Oregon State Credit Union, Corvallis (Pay it forward: Willamette Education Service District)
2023 – HomeSource at NeighborImpact, Redmond (Pay it forward: Latino Community Association, Central Oregon)
2024 – Oregon Business Academy, Portland (Pay it forward: Adelente Mujeres, Hillsboro)
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING OREGON CHAMPIONS
Questions about the awards or the nomination form? Please contact us at
FinancialEmpowerment@ost.state.or.us.