With 81% of Americans reporting moderate to high financial stress and 62% struggling to regularly make ends meet, the need for financial empowerment has never been greater. First Commerce Credit Union’s nonprofit subsidiary, the FCCU Foundation, responded during April’s Financial Literacy Month by equipping more than 1,000 individuals with essential financial knowledge—engaging 350 attendees in in-person workshops, nearly 400 participants in online financial education, and hundreds of credit union members, team members, and community participants in an exciting Scavenger Hunt challenge focused on financial empowerment. Take a look at some of the highlights from Financial Literacy Month 2025 and see what’s coming up this summer!

Financial Literacy Scavenger Hunt – In April, the FCCU Foundation joined financial institutions across the country in celebrating National Financial Literacy Month. An exciting “Financial Literacy Scavenger Hunt” engaged FCCU members and First Commerce team members alike in web-based challenges using the credit union’s digital financial literacy resources—SmartMoney Online, powered by Enrich. Weekly incentives drove participation and challenged community members to explore the interactive activities and resources that the FCCU Foundation makes available for continued financial education, including tools and courses related to money mindfulness, budgeting, financial stress, and more.

Engaging Activities and Community Impact – The FCCU Foundation’s efforts extended beyond the digital realm, with a variety of customized financial education events held during April across North Florida and South Georgia. Highlights included a professional development workshop for college faculty members, Financial Fitness Fair “adulting simulations” at area high schools, workshops for teens focusing on financial stress and mental health, and educational programs for budding elementary school entrepreneurs, as well as middle and high schoolers interested in the basics of personal finance and building good financial habits. These events are in keeping with the FCCU Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering generations and transforming communities by providing customized financial education workshops for groups in First Commerce’s field of membership.

Exciting Summer Activities: Finance FUNdamentals – The events of Financial Literacy Month have sparked excitement for a summer of activities focused on youth. This June and July, the FCCU Foundation is partnering with area Boys & Girls Clubs and summer camps in North Florida and South Georgia on a new financial education series. “Finance FUNdamentals” is focused on personal finance with an emphasis on the “fun!” These weekly or twice monthly lessons, presented by the FCCU Foundation and First Commerce team members, will share essential personal finance skills to help young people manage the financial challenges of being tweens or teens in today’s world.

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“We are incredibly excited about our ‘Finance FUNdamentals’ program. The series was designed to make learning about personal finance engaging for our young audiences,” said Mandy Schnittker, Financial Education Coordinator for the FCCU Foundation. “By partnering with local organizations, we can reach the age groups that will benefit most from this education and make lessons on personal finance fun and accessible.”

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Building Relationships for the Future – As the FCCU Foundation reflects on the successes of Financial Literacy Month and plans for summer, we are already preparing for the next school year. This progress is made possible thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our community. The FCCU Foundation remains committed to fostering financial literacy, building relationships, and expanding opportunities across our region. If your school, church, business, or organization is interested in a customized financial education workshop, please contact us to reserve a date on the fall 2025/spring 2026 calendar at fccufoundation@firstcommercecu.org.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Financial Literacy Month activities. Together, we are building a brighter financial future together!