Biz Kid$ Showcase: national financial well-being competition for young people

New initiative from the National Credit Union Foundation will challenge 12 to 18 year-olds to develop and market a financial well-being product for their community.

Registration is now open for the National Credit Union Foundation’s Biz Kid$ Showcase: a nationwide competition for young people aged 12 to 18.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of credit unions, enhance financial literacy, and encourage entrepreneurship by guiding participants through a series of educational modules and a business planning exercise.

Ultimately, participants must develop a business case and marketing plan for a new financial product or solution that would improve financial well-being in their communities.

Participants can enter as individuals or as part of a team. A panel of credit union leaders will judge all project entries, with the highest performing three projects winning cash prizes of up to $1,500.

“Credit unions are increasingly seeing that financial literacy is just one part of a broader journey towards financial well-being,” said Chad Helminak, chief impact officer.

“The Biz Kid$ Showcase is an opportunity to help members – or the next generation of members – come to the same realization.”

The competition is an extension of the Foundation’s long-running Biz Kid$ program that provides educators with financial literacy materials that complement the long-running PBS television show of the same name.

Marketing materials are available for leagues, associations, credit unions and system partners that want to encourage their members – and their next generation of members – to take part. To access the promotional materials, register an account on the Biz Kid$ platform and enroll in the Showcase.

Registration runs Monday, August 29 through Friday, September 16. Learning modules become available to registered participants on Monday, September 19, 2022.