The following Maine-based financial education programs and resources were compiled to support educators and individuals who are looking to bring financial education to their schools or community.
Bangor Savings Bank provides a free online financial literacy tool called Money Mentor. Access to relevant articles, fun polls, quizzes to test your knowledge, and user-friendly financial calculators are available.
Bonny Eagle Adult Education offers a variety of educational workshops, computer classes, courses for small businesses, workshops on financial aid for college, as well as workshops on financial and retirement planning. Register by calling (207) 929-9185 or see our course offerings online at www.sad6.maineadulted.org.
CA$H Maine (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope), supported by United Way, is a partnership of community leaders and industry experts working together to help individuals and families achieve long-term financial stability. Through community and workplace outreach, these partnerships encourage individuals and families in Maine to find ways to make the most of their money. Check out their website for online resources or information on free money management courses. Or, stop by one of their ten locations throughout the state for free in-person financial advice from trained volunteers.
Central Maine Credit Union offers financial education presentations to high school classes as well as one-on-one counseling to credit union members.
CEI offers financial literacy courses and one-on-one financial coaching and housing counseling for low-income adults.
The CARE Committee is a volunteer organization comprised of bankruptcy lawyers, judges, and court staff who offer classroom and/or town hall style presentations geared towards middle school through college-aged students on the responsible use of credit and the pitfalls of falling into debt. They offer a component on student loans and have volunteers who are willing to travel statewide to help educate Maine students on financial literacy. Their services are free of charge.
EVERFI has partnered with local sponsors such as Gorham Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank and The Maine Office of the Attorney General to pay for and provide EVERFI's online co-curricular financial literacy resource to high schools across the state. The 8-hr standards-aligned course covers topics like savings, banking, credit score, financing higher education, renting vs owning, consumer protection, investing, taxes, and insurance. Pre and Post assessments help teachers track and monitor student progress as they move through the course, and a library of offline resources are available to supplement the online component.
The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) offers a variety of free resources, tools, and classroom curriculum designed to assist students, parents, and educators with understanding the important elements of successful money management. FAME will also provide presentations upon request on a variety of financial education topics and the Claim Your Future game.
EVERFI has partnered with the MassMutual Foundation to bring FutureSmart to middle school students across the country. FutureSmart focuses on the important middle school years by empowering students to become the stewards of their financial futures. This three hour web-based resource educates students on the practicalities of daily financial decisions and the payoffs of long-term planning. Since middle school is an important period for positive habits to take form and grow, this course is particularly meaningful.
Through a compelling narrative in which students play the Mayor of a town, local citizens are helped with real-life decisions. From weighing opportunity costs, to delaying instant gratification for long-term gain, students face important questions on their way to becoming FutureSmart. At the end of the course, students compose their own blueprint for the future. FutureSmart can be integrated into unit plans and used during class time, as a capstone project, or in a flipped classroom.
Girl Scouts of Maine offers a financial empowerment curriculum for Girl Scout members, serving girls K-12 throughout the state of Maine. The curriculum gives girls the opportunity to build their business savvy and hone their financial literacy skills. Materials are intended for purchase by Girl Scout members but may also be purchased by the general public.
JMG is a non-profit that has joined with Maine’s public middle and high schools, community colleges and universities to support students in their pursuit of education and career goals. Also, the Opportunity Passport™ program offers youth currently/formerly in foster care (age 14-24) a chance to develop financial literacy skills as they participate in the program’s matched savings component. Experienced staff at JMG provide ongoing, consistent support as youth work towards savings goals and plan for asset purchases.
Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc. is a local non-profit organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. In partnership with businesses and educators, JA brings the real world to Maine students, opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for the world of work.
Key Bank offers free workshops and presentations regarding budgeting, credit, setting financial goals, as well as other topics related to money management. Key Bank also provides an online money management self-assessment and education tool that is available in both English and Spanish. Interested educators or community members may contact Key Bank to learn more about scheduling a workshop or presentation.
Lawrence Adult Education offers workshops pertaining to paying for college, including FAFSA completion. Toolkits about college are also distributed.
Financial literacy is a priority of Machias Savings Bank. We want to provide all the materials needed to create a foundation of sound financial life skills to our communities. From hosting a seminar, teaching lessons at our local schools, to online videos to watch from your device, we are a resource for you.
Maine Adult Education Association oversees member Adult Education programs throughout Maine and may be contacted for information about programs specific to an area.
Maine Bankers Association supports member banks by bringing financial literacy training to their local communities and informing communities about existing programs. An educator seeking financial literacy curriculum or content may contact Maine Bankers Association, which will then help the educator contact a local banker.
The Maine Credit Union League coordinates Financial Fitness Fairs for high school students statewide. Available both in-person and online, the FFFs are a unique simulation that offers students insight into what it's like to balance a monthly budget. Additionally, the FFFs are being offered to New Mainers and soon-to-be-released inmates. The Maine Credit Union League also provides curriculum resources for teachers, with credit union staff and volunteers available to teach financial education in the classroom throughout the year.
Representing Maine Credit Unions, Jake Holmes provides education programs to enhance the lives and well-being of Mainers. Additionally, Jake coordinates the Financial Fitness Fairs across the state, writes blogs, created videos, and discusses financial literacy topics, with hopes of creating pathways to fiscal success.
Maine Department of Education provides information regarding resources and professional development opportunities via posts in the DOE Newsroom and several cross-content area ListServs and newsletters. The Social Studies Specialist serves as a liaison to the Maine Jump$tart Coalition and maintains contacts with various financial literacy related organizations at the national level. The Department provides a list of resources (which includes lesson plans and curriculum) for consideration by educators.
Maine Jump$tart Coalition
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