NWCUF Brings Biz Kid$ Back This Coming School Year

Posted by Ben Shuey on July 16, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed personal finance and business skills at the forefront of our minds, and has illuminated the importance of emergency savings, budgeting, and building small businesses that can weather financial storms.

The national financial literacy initiative, Biz Kid$, is a great answer to that need. The program’s free resources are widely supported by credit unions across the country. For the 2020-2021 school year, the Northwest Credit Union Foundation is bringing the program back to the region.

In a school year that will undoubtedly be defined by the need for flexibility, NWCUF is spearheading the effort, providing credit unions and school districts with modified curriculum and lessons to better meet the digital needs of schools and students. In the 2020-2021 school year, there will be options for both middle school and high school students. 

Biz Kid$ engages students inside and outside the classroom, helping them build life skills in financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Through the program, credit unions partner with educators to teach solid financial skills, encouraging students to showcase their creative business ideas while practicing smart financial decision-making.  

The 2020-2021 Biz Kid$ program is highly flexible and the traditional business plan competition will be optional. NWCUF will support classrooms interested in participating in the contest or implementing the Biz Kid$ curriculum.   

“This is a great opportunity for credit unions to support local teachers during COVID-19, as they work to identify innovative learning options for students at home,” said Sharee Adkins, NWCUF Executive Director. “This re-imagined programming will provide educators with flexibility, offering educational videos, sample lesson plans, and a credit union partner. It’s a fantastic way to introduce new curriculum into the school year, while giving students real-world financial education that will stick with them for life.”  

In addition, the Biz Kid$ curriculum is a good educational opportunity for families, nonprofits and afterschool programs looking for engaging content. NWCUF’s Biz Kid$ program is made possible, in part, by the support of the National Credit Union Foundation.  

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