Financial Literacy Innovation Grants

The Financial Literacy Innovation Grants program is administered through a collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The initiative was established to promote innovation in the delivery of personal financial literacy education across Wisconsin schools in response to Wisconsin Act 60, which mandates a half-credit of personal financial literacy for high school graduation beginning with the class of 2028. The program is designed to encourage forward-thinking approaches that enhance how financial literacy is taught, ensuring that students gain practical, applicable knowledge and skills. The primary purpose of this grant is to support the integration of the Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy into classroom instruction through innovative strategies, curriculum development, and educator professional development. The program emphasizes approaches that actively engage students, foster cross-grade collaboration, and build partnerships between schools and community organizations. Activities may include developing aligned curriculum materials, creating interdisciplinary instruction, implementing experiential learning opportunities with financial institutions, and supporting student-led initiatives that deepen engagement with financial topics. Funding is awarded through a competitive process, with individual applicants eligible for up to 7500 dollars and consortium applicants eligible for up to 22500 dollars. The total statewide funding pool is 296000 dollars. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis for approved expenditures and must be used for allowable activities such as curriculum alignment, professional learning, and community engagement. Restrictions include prohibitions on facility renovations, large capital equipment purchases exceeding 20 percent of the budget, tuition costs for degree programs, and supplanting existing school budgets. Administrative costs are capped at 5 percent of the award. Eligibility for the program is broad within the Wisconsin education ecosystem. Applicants may include educators, principals, and administrators from public and private K-12 school districts, Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, and community-based organizations. Applications must demonstrate measurable student outcomes, alignment with state standards, and a clear plan for implementation, evaluation, and sustainability beyond the grant period. Strong proposals are expected to include evidence-based strategies, collaborative partnerships, and clearly defined objectives using measurable indicators. The application process requires submission of a completed application form by the stated deadline, including an abstract, a detailed narrative, and a comprehensive budget. The narrative must outline objectives, activities, timelines, evaluation methods, and plans for continuation. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as demonstration of need, measurable objectives, collaboration, innovation, feasibility of activities, sustainability, and a robust evaluation plan. Reviewers prioritize projects that show strong alignment with financial literacy standards and meaningful impact on student learning. The application deadline is July 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Following submission, applications undergo a review period through late August, with award notifications issued on or before September 15, 2026. Funds become available by September 30, 2026, and must be fully expended by September 15, 2027. Grantees are required to submit a midterm progress report by March 15, 2027 and a final report by September 30, 2027 detailing outcomes and program effectiveness. The program does not explicitly state recurrence but is structured as a single competitive cycle tied to implementation of Act 60 requirements. Applicants may contact program representatives for support during the application process. Key contacts include Jen Jackson and Julie Anderson at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, who can provide guidance on application requirements and program expectations. Overall, the grant represents a targeted investment in improving financial literacy education statewide through innovative, collaborative, and student-centered approaches.

Ensure measurable student outcomes with SMART goals; align activities clearly to Wisconsin standards; demonstrate strong collaboration and sustainability beyond grant period