Financial literacy supported

    AUGUSTA — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide (UWW) have announced that Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community (WWC) is one of 15 recipients nationwide to receive over $1.8 million in grants as part of the Financial Education in Your Community initiative.
    Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community (www.womenworkandcommunity.org), which serves all 16 Maine counties, will receive $125,000 over a two-year period to add modules on investing and retirement planning to their basic money management curriculum, integrate financial planning and investing skills as core competencies in their workforce development programs, and create more effective marketing and promotional tools to support their statewide work.
    “We are delighted to receive this important grant support. Interest in our money management classes has been increasing; women of all ages have told us they need to know more about retirement, saving, and investing in their future, even as they struggle to meet their daily expenses. This grant will give us new tools to help more individuals reach their financial goals,” according to Gilda Nardone, executive director of WWC. “We look forward to working with our local partners, including the United Ways, to implement this project.” In addition to funding, the Foundation is providing unbiased financial education materials and ongoing technical assistance.
    “We are proud to partner with United Way to provide support for community-based innovators who are developing effective approaches to financial education that can be leveraged in communities across the country,” said FINRA Foundation President John Gannon. “These local organizations have a unique ability to provide low- and middle-income Americans with the information and support they need to make sound financial decisions and save for their long-term financial security.”