By Rose Oswald Poels
The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) promotes financial responsibility through education, scholarships, and research across our state. We deliver on our mission through philanthropic programming made possible through the generosity of Wisconsin bankers. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Foundation:
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Awarded seven grants to non-profit organizations that are making a difference in housing, financial literacy, and economic development in Wisconsin.
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Awarded six scholarships, including two $1,500 awards for students pursuing agricultural banking degrees and four $2,000 awards for students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and financial literacy.
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More than 100 member banks distributed Reading Raises Interest Kits to schools across Wisconsin in support of National Teach Children to Save Day. The 2025 kit featured Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair, helping bankers across Wisconsin teach young learners the value of saving and financial responsibility.
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Provided nearly 100 Banconomics reports as a free tool for bankers, policymakers, and the public.
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Presented Excellence in Financial Education Awards to more than 400 bankers who shared financial education presentations in their communities.
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Partnered with Economics Wisconsin to sponsor the Stock Market Game, enabling banking professionals to mentor students in grades 4–12 and help them build real-world financial decision-making skills.
We will recognize the seven non-profit organizations that received Foundation grants in 2025 at the WBF gala today, Thursday, September 25 in Madison. Attendees will hear directly from the non-profit recipients about the projects these grants supported. If you cannot join us at the gala, you can still support the Foundation by virtually bidding in our silent auction until 7:30 p.m. tonight, or making a general donation on the Foundation’s website.
We look forward to another year of building strong financial capability across Wisconsin and showcasing the great work bankers do every day. Thank you for your continued generous support of our industry’s charitable Foundation!
