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Biz Kid$ Calls for Young Social Entrepreneurs in New Contest

Award-winning Financial Literacy Series Teams up with Ernst & Young, LLP

Madison, Wis.Biz Kid$ recently launched a new contest for kids, “Build Your Social Biz.” Sponsored by leading global organization Ernst & Young, LLP, the competition is a hunt for America’s most worthy, fledgling social entrepreneurs. The top prize is $3,000 and mentoring from an experienced business expert at Ernst & Young, LLP. Biz Kid$ is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

“This is a great opportunity for credit unions to pass along to their members,” said Danielle Brown, who is the National Credit Union Foundation’s national coordinator for Biz Kid$.

Up until December 31, young business owners who have an idea for improving their community can capture that vision in a one-minute video and compete for cash prizes to fund their venture. The contest is open to existing businesses or enterprises that are still a gleam in an entrepreneur’s eye.

Social entrepreneurs are people who try to make a difference in the world with their business. They use their business structure or profits to effect a social, cultural or environmental change. The social biz is not a limited-period fundraising vehicle – it’s an actual business.

Participants fill out the online entry form on bizkids.com and then upload a one-minute video pitch on why their project should win. Entries will not be judged by the quality of the video but by the presentation of the vision for their social enterprise.

Entries are due December 31, 2012. A panel of judges will cull the top five entrants, and the names will be posted on the Biz Kid$ website by mid-February. The winner will be chosen by popular vote, which will take place over four weeks. Winner will be announced by the end of March. First place will win $3,000 and a lunch with a special guest; runner up will win $1,500; and three honorable mentions will win $500 each. All finalists will be paired with an expert mentor chosen to fit the nature of their business.

Biz Kid$ – Teaching Kids about Money & Business
The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) oversees fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities of Biz Kid$. Over the past six years, more than 290 credit unions and affiliated organizations have raised more than $13.2 million that has supported the show’s production, website and curriculum. In fact, every Biz Kid$ 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.”

Biz Kid$, which premiered in January 2008, quickly grew into a national phenomenon. Since the series launch, Biz Kid$ has been broadcast to more than 271 million people, in more than 98% of the country. Of all APT children’s programs currently on the air, Biz Kid$ has the largest national market penetration in the United States, airing on more than 338 public television stations. When compared to children’s programs of a similar target demographic, Biz Kid$ has more viewers, a larger number of broadcasts, and a higher metered market count.

Many credit unions leverage Biz Kid$ to teach financial education in schools in their community. In addition to NCUF’s box sets and starter kits, companion materials and other resources for teachers and parents are available at no cost on the Biz Kid$ website, www.bizkids.com. The site also features clips from the series and invites kids to appear on the show.

Biz Kid$ has continually garnered attention in and outside of the credit union industry. In its five seasons, Biz Kid$ has garnered ten Emmy nominations—winning once in 2009—and rang the closing bell ceremonies at both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Exchange for the past three years in conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month. Biz Kid$ also recently earned the Parent’s Choice Silver Award. In 2010, it also won the credit union industry’s most prestigious honor, the Herb Wegner Award for Outstanding Program.

For more information about Biz Kid$, click here.

About the National Credit Union Foundation (ncuf.coop):
The National Credit Union Foundation is the US credit union movement’s primary national philanthropic program provider, fundraiser and grant-maker, working to help consumers achieve financial freedom through credit unions. Through NCUF grants and programs, credit unions provide widespread financial education, create greater access to affordable financial services, and empower more consumers to save, build assets, and own homes.

NCUF is funded primarily by investments in the award-winning Community Investment Fund (CIF) and by generous Corporate Supporters led by the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Mutual.  All NCUF donors provide support that empowers NCUF and state credit union foundations to make financial freedom achievable through credit unions.

The National Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. NCUF continues to earn the Better Business Bureau seal of approval as an “Accredited Charity” for meeting all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for national charities.


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