Contact: Christopher Morris
608-231-4374 | cmorris@ncuf.coop
Madison, Wis. – Three credit unions have collectively donated $1 million to help nationally underwrite Biz Kid$. These unprecedented large donations were made by BECU in Tukwila, Wash., State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) in Raleigh, N.C., and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Santa Ana, Calif. Biz Kid$ is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.
The National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) oversees fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities of Biz Kid$ and is currently fundraising to achieve full funding for the fifth season, which will also put Biz Kid$ into syndication.
“Biz Kid$ is a natural fit for credit unions and BECU to get behind,” said Gary Oakland, President/CEO of BECU and NCUF Chairman. “Financial education, and particularly youth financial literacy, is critically important to our movement and society at large. Thanks to Biz Kid$ unique style of ‘edutainment,’ kids of all ages are learning about money, credit, taxes, business, and becoming young entrepreneurs. ”
“We’ve seen great success with the show and accompanying curriculum throughout middle schools in North Carolina so it’s an easy decision to continually support Biz Kid$,” noted Mark Twisdale, Executive Director of the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation. “Many of our staff are trained on the show curriculum and we also work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to train teachers on the program. We are looking forward to helping reach even more youth through both outreach and financial support.”
“Biz Kid$ has had a tremendous impact in advancing financial literacy, not only within the educational community, but in households across the world,” said Rudy Hanley, President/CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. “At SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union we are honored to support a program that educates, inspires and motivates the next generation of credit union members."
Biz Kid$ - Brought to You by America’s Credit Unions
In addition to these major gifts from three credit unions, CU Solutions Group (CUSG), through its Invest in America (IIA) program, recently donated $700,000 for the second year in a row. CUSG’s gift, combined with their 2010 $700,000 contribution, makes it one of the largest independent sponsors of Biz Kid$ alongside the National Credit Union Foundation.
Over the past six years, over 260 credit union system and affiliates have raised more than $10.4 million that has supported the show’s production, website and curriculum. In fact, every Biz Kid$ 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.” Credit unions can get information on supporting Biz Kid$ at ncuf.coop>National Programs>Biz Kid$>Support Biz Kid$.
Biz Kid$ - Teaching Kids about Money & Business
Biz Kid$, which premiered in January 2008, quickly grew into a national phenomenon. It has aired on over 340 public television stations in all 50 states with a viewership reach of 271 million people. Biz Kid$ has the highest recorded carriage of any children’s program have ever released by American Public Television, with a viewing audience of more than 1.2 million per episode. The website is currently receiving more than 100,000 unique visitors a month hailing from about 140 countries.
Many credit unions leverage Biz Kid$ to teach financial education in schools in their community. In addition to starter kits available from NCUF, 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 first four seasons, Biz Kid$ has garnered seven 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. 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.
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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. 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 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 a real impact in the credit union community.
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.