Funding Futures

$45,326+

SAVED for post secondary success.

Funding Futures, a two-year pilot program in its second year at TLC, is the first Childhood Savings Account (CSA) program in Wyoming and is intended to address barriers to lifelong learning. Modeled after other successful CSA programs, Funding Futures participants open and contribute to an individual savings account while TLC provides each participant with seed money, matches and bonuses in a 529 account.TLC’s Funding Futures program aims to shift student and family expectations, increase academic performance, ensure long-term TLC retention and provide financial literacy and empowerment.

Family Story

The core goals of the Funding Futures program are to:

• Start early to foster student and family expectations and aspirations aiming toward postsecondary education and career training.

• Help students be college and career ready with a long-term approach to academic engagement and selfconfidence.

• Build student and family financial potential through TLC programs and connecting with partners to offer other related services.

Funding Futures has given me a sense of security and ease when it comes to preparing for my son’s future. It helps us and my child learn how to save and make sure we are using those savings for something important in his life.”

Marlen and Aretzy joined our Funding Futures program during our first pilot year while Aretzy was enrolled in our preschool Literacy Lab program. During the first year, Marlen was able to save $1,650 for Aretzy’s future education. By the end of her second year participating in Funding Futures, Marlen saved $2,450 in Aretzy’s saving account! They became one of our highest saving families, and Marlen was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for her efforts. As Marlen stated, “Funding Futures was very helpful in getting me started on the first step of creating my daughter’s savings account. I know I should have done it earlier, but I’m glad this initiative exists through TLC, because I know that in the future it will help Aretzy in college and beyond.” Today, every time Aretzy finds a coin or bills, she is motivated to put it in her piggy bank that TLC provided. Her goal each time is to fill her piggy bank and then, Marlen and Artezy go to the bank to deposit the funds when it is full. Today, Marlen is our Funding Futures Parent Champion, and supports any new families enrolling into the program with general questions about Funding Futures.

Number of Students: 69

Amount deposited by parents since the start of Funding Futures: $19,996

Amount deposited by TLC through seed, match and bonus funds: $25,330