Coming in 2022, State Treasurer Tobias Read is launching the Financial Empowerment Awards as part of a new initiative at Treasury to improve financial inclusion and financial literacy statewide.

There will be two awards given in 2022, recognizing and celebrating standout educators and organizations across Oregon that help boost financial empowerment in their communities.

“The Oregon Treasury Financial Empowerment Awards will highlight the champions who are going the extra mile to improve financial education and financial wellness in our communities,” said Treasurer Read.

More information on how to nominate teachers and organizations can be found on our website. The nomination deadline has been extended to April 1, 2022, and winners will be announced during Financial Literacy Month in April.

The new awards are sponsored in partnership with the Oregon College Savings Plan, which helps Oregonians statewide save for job training and higher education costs—which reduces the need for student debt later.

The Financial Empowerment Educator will receive $1,500, plus $500 for their school. In addition, a group of students at the school—chosen at random—will share $500 in scholarships from the Oregon College Savings Plan.

The Financial Empowerment Community Champion organization will receive $2,000, plus will have the opportunity to “pay it forward” and select another financial empowerment-focused organization or effort to receive $500.

The new award program was recommended by a citizen panel that Treasurer Read convened in early 2021 to consider ways Treasury can augment and amplify financial education in Oregon.

The group also suggested making financial education resources more accessible, increasing financial empowerment outreach in underrepresented communities, and improving coordination among state agencies and nonprofits to elevate financial education efforts and helpful public policy.

Know of people and organizations that are helping Oregonians build more secure futures? Let them know about the awards or nominate them!