BY MISSY BAXTER

The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) in Madison, Wis.,  announced this week that it is awarding a total of $124,961 through its BizKid$ program, which promotes financial literacy among youth through educational curriculum, including Biz Kid$, a credit union-funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

The NCUF’s board of directors approved 16 new grants for 2013 to engage credit unions in using Biz Kid$ and its curriculum to build financial literacy.

According to the 2013 Junior Achievement/Allstate Foundation Teens and Personal Finance Survey, 76% of teens report the best time to learn about money management is in kindergarten through high school, but only 29% reported programs currently in place.

“There is a need to improve the financial literacy skills of the youth in America and Biz Kid$ is the perfect vehicle to address that need,” said Danielle Brown, Biz Kid$ Program Coordinator for NCUF. “We are excited to fund these innovative programs that will improve the financial education of youth through the use of the Biz Kid$ program.”

The NCUF oversees fundraising and outreach responsibilities of Biz Kid$. During the past six years, more than 300 credit unions and affiliated organizations have raised more than $13.8 million to support the show’s production, website and curriculum.

Every Biz Kid$ episode begins and ends with a narrator reminding viewers that: “Production funding for Biz Kid$ is provided by America’s credit unions, where people are worth more than money.”

This year’s grant recipients are:

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