The GW Financial Literacy Program (FLP) is a Net Impact sponsored opportunity that utilizes and fosters your talents as an MBA to engage your community in a lasting and meaningful way, while giving you the opportunity to explore a topic at the heart of business and society. It is also a fun and dynamic way for you to meet your MBA Community Service Obligation and/or pursue the Certificate of Responsible Management.

While most people believe they are pretty good at dealing with day-to-day financial matters, in actuality they are not! According to a 2007 national survey, more than half of Americans stated that they learned “nothing at all” or “not too much” about financial issues at school. Although the problem is widespread, it is also true that those with the fewest resources (low-income classes) and minorities (including women, African-Americans and Hispanics) are disproportionately affected. As the recent financial crisis illustrates, the widespread lack of basic knowledge about everyday financial matters, financial planning and managing financial products leaves individuals and the economy overly vulnerable to unexpected events. This reality brings to the forefront the critical role financial literacy plays in the wellbeing of our economy and community.

The GWSB Financial Literacy Program was founded in response to the growing need for increased engagement around the issue of financial literacy in our community. As responsible professionals and recipients of higher education, we are particularly well positioned to serve as ambassadors of financial education. Volunteers are not expected to be gurus of finance: it is not about being experts, but about being willing to learn and to spread knowledge. Our program creates a mutually beneficial experience for both educator and student through dialogue and introspection on topics of everyday finance. We know how much you have to offer and it is our mission to help you share it!

Please see their official website, or contact Amir Abdallah for more information about this exciting new program.