Ohio Financial Literacy Education Grant Program

The Ohio Financial Literacy Education Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions, supports the advancement of financial literacy among Ohioans. This program is part of the Department's broader mission to protect consumers while promoting economic prosperity within the state. Created in 2008, the Financial Literacy Education Fund provides the financial foundation for this grant program. The Fund receives its resources through a dedicated quarterly transfer of five percent of all charges, penalties, and forfeitures collected by the Division’s Consumer Finance section. These funds are allocated through a competitive grant process to support educational programming focused on improving financial knowledge across a range of audiences, including children, youth, and adults residing in Ohio. The primary goal of the grant program is to support innovative and community-responsive financial education initiatives that can improve the financial well-being of Ohio residents. Grantees are expected to employ strategies that integrate personal finance education into daily life, enhancing knowledge and promoting informed decision-making. Programs may be offered virtually, in person, or in hybrid formats. Priority is placed on projects that clearly demonstrate a strong need for financial education within their target communities, have a defined plan for outreach and engagement, and propose efficient delivery methods aligned with the objectives of the Fund. The Department particularly encourages proposals that engage individuals in becoming college and career ready through improved financial acumen. For fiscal year 2027, the program will award up to $50,000 in total funding. While this is the total program allocation, the average individual request is around $15,000 per program. Applications must include a comprehensive budget narrative and specify the amount requested. Grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports and a final program report, detailing outcomes, reach, curriculum used, and insights gained from implementation. These measures help ensure accountability and guide future improvements. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state institutions, community colleges, individuals, and other entities with demonstrated capacity to deliver impactful financial literacy education. Applicants must clearly articulate the community need, program objectives, delivery plan, evaluation methods, and marketing strategy. Applications must also describe the age group served, instructional staff or hiring plans, partnerships, and how the program may be expanded or replicated. In addition to narrative elements, applications must include several attachments: instructor resumes or job descriptions, organizational filings with the Ohio Secretary of State, a valid Tax ID, DUNS number, and audited financial statements. The proposal must be submitted by April 30, 2026, either via email or through the online submission system. Proposals are evaluated through a blind review process by a panel comprising members from various divisions of the Department. The panel assesses proposals based on criteria such as need, design, budget, community impact, scalability, and sustainability. Clarifications may be requested by the Department during review, provided they do not offer an unfair advantage. Grantees will be notified of awards by June 30, 2026. Awardees will then work with assigned grants administration specialists to complete documentation and contract execution. Regular performance tracking through quarterly and final reports is required to measure effectiveness, demonstrate accountability, and support continuous program improvement. All submissions become the property of the state and are subject to public disclosure following the award announcements.