Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy

Teachers: click here to apply for your scholarship to attend the Jump$tart National Educator Conference, November 2-4, Louisville, KY.

Ohio  Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy

An Independent Affiliate of the Jump$tart Coalition

The Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that brings together like-minded organizations to work collectively and collaboratively to advance financial literacy among kindergarten through college-aged students. Our partners are individuals and organizations who recognize and support the lifetime benefits of personal financial education: teachers, parents, corporations, CPA’s, banks, credit unions, school administrators, school districts and boards of education.

About Us

The Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy (OJ$) seeks to build and sustain an effective infrastructure to champion and support the systematic delivery of personal finance knowledge to Ohio school children during the pre-kindergarten through 16 classroom experience. The organization was created to address the fact that the average high school graduate lacks basic skills in the management of personal financial affairs. Many are unable to balance a checkbook and most simply have no insight into the basic survival principles involved with earning, spending, saving and investing.

OJ$ fulfills its mission by educating students, parents, teachers and policymakers and directing them to available resources that will assist them in making informed personal financial decisions. Decisions that will help guide them toward a successful financial future.

  • Provide access to financial education materials available (generally at no cost) to teachers for classroom use that focus on the six basic elements of personal finance financial planning; budgeting; savings; investments; credit; and insurance.
  • Provide teachers access to qualified financial professionals who can make classroom presentations directly to students using real-life examples, which reinforce teacher instruction.
  • Increase public awareness of the community’s responsibility to provide personal finance education to our children. Education is critical to help them meet the challenges of an ever-evolving financial world.
  • Facilitate educational meetings which are designed to encourage local agencies and teachers to work together to share financial education strengths. It is the goal that each organization will benefit in this sharing process by creating awareness of topics and speakers. Senate Bill 311 states that local business partnerships should be included in the teaching of personal finance in Ohio high schools. The legislation states “use available public and private partnerships and resources and materials that exist in business, industry and the centers for economic education.”
  • Advocate the value of personal finance curriculum as a high school graduation requirement according to Ohio Senate Bill 311. Encourage and advocate financial education for Pre K-16.

The Ohio affiliate of the nationally-based Jump$tart Coalition is comprised of volunteers from the educational, public and private-sector communities who share the belief that understanding personal financial matters is important. The national Jump$tart Coalition is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1995, the coalition includes more than 100 national partners and a network of 51 state affiliates that share a commitment to #afinlitfuture and to working collaboratively toward common goals.

OJ$ seeks to create a sustainable not-for-profit organization by utilizing programs designed and delivered by partnering organizations and volunteer support in Ohio.

The business affairs of OJ$ are managed by a Board.

Partners of the Coalition

Ohio Jump$tart Partners are organizations or agencies that contribute financially or in kind to Ohio Jump$tart.

Ohio Jump$tart Partners are organizations or agencies that contribute financially or in kind to Ohio Jump$tart and/or to our annual teacher training activities.

Board of Directors

Kevin Boehner – Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Cort Bradbury– Heritage Wealth Partners

Joan Franks – Matesich Distributing

Jill Gerschutz – Financial Counselor, Credit Union of Ohio

Lindsay A. Gold– Assistant Professor, STEM Mathematics University of Dayton

Dr. Julie Heath – Director, Economics Center University of Cincinnati; Ohio Council on Economic Education

Suzanne Hirsch – Board of Directors, Ohio FCCLA (Ohio Jump$tart Vice-President)

Matt White – Educator, (Ohio Jump$tart President)

Lois Stoll – Retired Educator

Beth Tallman– Educator, (Ohio Jump$tart Treasurer)

Jim O’Connor – Educator, President, Ohio Council for the Social Studies

Ohio Department of Education

MaryJo Kohl – Career Technical Consultant, Ohio Department of Education

Dee Sturgill – Career-Technical Consultant, Ohio Department of Education

Linda McKean – Social Studies, Ohio Department of Education

Teacher Advisory Board

Corbin Moore – Past President, Ohio Council on Social Studies

Committees

  • Education Committee: Liaison to schools for coalition’s own initiatives.
  • Communications Committee: Manage the coalition’s communication via e-newsletter, website, social media, press releases and email.
  • Partnership Committee: Lead efforts to ensure awareness and engagement of coalition partners.
  • Finance Committee: Oversee and provide governance to the finances of the coalition.

Help Kids & Make a Difference

Become an Ohio Jump$tart Member

Ohio Jump$tart members are dedicated to empowering young people to be financially responsible. OJ$ committees serve as task forces to accomplish specific goals in support of our mission. Put your talents to work on one of our committees:

  • Education
  • Development
  • Growth
  • Communications/Marketing
  • Event Planning
  • Website
  • Bylaws
  • Public Policy

Become an Ohio Jump$tart Partner

What is a Partner? Partners are individuals and organizations who support and recognize the importance of personal financial education.

Platinum Partner – $5,000 +
– Recognized as a Major Sponsor of Jump$tart events
– Logo and link on our website and social media
– Logo in electronic newsletter with link to your website

Gold Partner – $2,500 +
– Recognized as a Sponsor of Jump$tart events
– Logo on our website and social media
– Listed in electronic newsletter with link to your website

Silver Partner – $1,000 +
– Listed in electronic newsletter and social media

Bronze Partner – $500 +
– Listed in electronic newsletter

Partner 
– Business, Corporation or Nonprofit, Government Agency, Partnership – $100
– Foundation or Association – $50
– Student – $10

Benefits:

  • Network with others who are committed to improving financial education
  • Stay informed of national and statewide efforts and issues in youth financial education
  • Participate in personal financial education community meetings
  • Access to Jump$tart-sponsored surveys and research
  • Publicize your efforts to the personal finance education community
  • Become a member of the largest coalition of its kind in the U.S.

Your donation is tax deductable!

Donations support the operations of the coalition and make some of our most important work possible. Times are tough. Donations to many worthy causes are down at a time when the need for services has never been greater. Whether sponsoring a teacher to a conference to learn new classroom techniques and resources or holding community events to promote financial literacy, your donation will benefit the youth of Ohio.