When Oregonians help fellow Oregonians learn to be more financially capable and confident, that’s something worth celebrating.

And once a year, Treasury recognizes standout educators and community organizations who are making a difference with the Oregon Financial Empowerment Awards. Nominations are due by March 1 for the 2023 awards, which will be announced by Treasurer Tobias Read in April (during Financial Literacy Month).

This is the second annual installment of the awards, which are part of a larger initiative to highlight and improve financial literacy and wellness efforts statewide.

“Together, we can celebrate Oregon’s unsung heroes. There are standout individuals and organizations across our state, helping Oregonians make better financial choices and empowering them to build long-term financial security,” said State Treasurer Tobias Read. “For the second year, we’re highlighting those champions that improve the financial wellness of our neighbors and our communities.”

The two annual awards recognize a teacher, and a business, nonprofit, or education enterprise. Nominations are being accepted at the Oregon Treasury’s website. Winners of the inaugural Oregon State Treasury Financial Empowerment Awards were Ryan Ashlock, a teacher at Parkrose Middle School, and Oregon State Credit Union, based in Corvallis.

The awards are presented in partnership with the Oregon College Savings Plan, a Treasury program that helps Oregonians statewide save for job training and higher education costs—helping to reduce student debt.

The Financial Empowerment Educator will receive $1,500. Their school will be awarded $500, and students at the school will share $500 in scholarships from the Oregon College Savings Plan. The Financial Empowerment Community Champion organization will receive $2,000 and will be able to select another financial empowerment-focused organization or effort to receive an additional $500.

The awards are part of the multifaceted Financial Empowerment Initiative at Treasury. The initiative seeks to amplify and augment financial literacy and inclusion efforts statewide—making those efforts more accessible—and to champion equity and racial equity in financial education. The initiative is guided by the Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, which is chaired by the Treasurer.