Investing in Our Future
By Rose Oswald Poels
Last month I highlighted the financial literacy awards that our non-profit arm, the Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF), distributed to several bankers in recognition of their extensive financial education efforts during our last fiscal year. Today, I’d like to share a review of several different initiatives that WBF engaged in this last fiscal year, as well as ask for your continued support so we are well-positioned for 2022.
With the help of your generous donations, WBF was able to raise $49,000 last fiscal year, which allowed for countless opportunities to further invest in the financial future of people across our state. One of WBF’s long-standing initiatives is providing scholarships to high school seniors and college students. This past year, WBF awarded a total of six scholarships valued at $10,000 to high school seniors and college students interested in banking and finance. WBF provided financial education resources to bankers across the state who reached nearly 6,000 students and adults through financial literacy-focused presentations. Finally, the research component of WBF allowed us to share with bankers and the public comprehensive and comparative data on the industry through Banconomics.com.
As I look forward to the exciting work ahead of us including a silent auction to be held in conjunction with WBA’s Bank Executive Conference in February, Teach Children to Save Day in April, as well as establishing grant programming for non-profits, I encourage you to consider donating items for the auction and/or supporting us financially to keep these programs and resources accessible for many years to come!
Since WBF is a public charity not only are your contributions 100% tax deductible, but they also support an important mission of the industry’s which is empowering financial decisions through scholarship, education, and research. I encourage you to consider making a contribution in the form of a donated item for our February silent auction or a financial contribution. The WBF Board would like to raise over $70,000 this year.
The long-held tradition of promoting financial responsibility to individuals throughout the state is a point of pride to our member bankers. In acknowledging this need for resources and education in our communities, along with the scholarships, grants, and research WBF provides, I thank you in advance for considering a gift to WBF that will keep the holiday spirit going long past the current season.
