Accomplishments

Throughout 2025, the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition worked to improve the financial literacy of Iowans through the following efforts:

  • Strategic Planning: The Coalition continued to make progress on the organization’s strategic plan. The concept of becoming the HUB of financial literacy in the state of Iowa is becoming clearer as time goes on and actions are taken.
  • Financial Literacy Awareness Month: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds proclaimed April as Financial Literacy Awareness Month in Iowa with an in-person proclamation signing in Des Moines, IA.
  • Student Competitions: Iowa Jump$tart sponsored two academic competitions through the Council for Economic Education. Both Challenges had state finals that were held in Ames, IA at the Iowa State University Research Park.
    • National Personal Finance Challenge – Hundreds of students participated. Over $2,000 was provided in cash prizes!
    • National Economics Challenge – Many Iowa students participated. Over $2,000 was provided in cash prizes!
  • State Coalition Meeting: The board president was able to attend the annual State Coalition Meeting in Washington D.C. held by the national Jump$tart Coalition. Connecting with other state leaders was fruitful and many ideas were brought back to the board of directors to consider.
  • Symposium for Educators: After a year when we were unable to hold a conference in 2024, we were able to pull off a small but successful conference in 2025. A retreat was organized with the goal having a destination event. Eight very passionate financial literacy teachers attended the retreat at the Iowa Arboretum. Some took advantage of the free overnight stay in Boone, IA the night before and travel stipend.
  • National Educator Conference: Iowa Jump$tart sponsored five Iowa teachers to attend the conference in Boston, MA. All expenses were paid. All five reported back that they had a great experience.
  • Board of Directors Retreat: In November, the fourth annual board retreat was held in Des Moines, IA to get a jump on planning for 2026.
  • Partner Networking Events: Before each meeting (except November), a small lunch was provided to partners and board members that attended in person.
  • New Partners: By the end of 2025, the Coalition had retained the same number of partners.