Last April, in two Albany elementary school classrooms, high schoolers fanned out with financial literacy workbooks in an effort to help younger students get more passionate about money smarts.

The visitation was organized by West Albany High School teacher Joey Running and was one example of the kinds of projects that earned her the recognition as Oregon’s 2024 Financial Empowerment Educator of the Year.

Now, it’s time to honor additional Oregon difference-makers.

Across the state, teachers and community champions invest their time, passion and knowledge to help more people succeed financially.

Now in their fourth year, the Oregon Financial Empowerment Awards highlight and reward that standout work—including with cash prizes—and encourage others to follow those examples.

Nominations for the 2025 awards are now open and will be accepted until March 1. Winners will be announced at the April quarterly meeting of the Oregon Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, the State Treasurer-chaired panel that brings together financial wellness-focused agencies and community leaders.

Anybody can submit a nomination, and several previous winners have had multiple nominations. There are two award categories:

Financial Educator: Recognizes 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.

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.