Steve Lear

Since June 2022, I have proudly partnered with the Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE) to champion a crucial initiative: ensuring every student in Minnesota has equal access to financial literacy education. Working together, we passed legislation requiring a personal finance course to graduate from high school. This new statewide mandate begins September 1, 2025.

I have contributed over $100,000 to help MCEE develop enhanced training programs for personal finance teachers. While some state councils receive consistent base funding for teacher professional development from their state legislatures, Minnesota does not. I invite you to join me in contributing to MCEE to help fully implement the personal finance course at the level our teachers and students need and deserve.

How MCEE is Positively Impacting Financial Literacy

For further information about their efforts on this initiative, please view the following resources:

• White Paper – This report describes MCEE’s achievements, financials, and projected needs. You will see an expanded focus on the professional development of personal finance teachers, a significant shift from MCEE’s historical emphasis on economic education.
• Annual Report – As you review the financials, please note that the asset base increase was due to a one-time-only gift from the WEM Foundation.
• Newsletter – This features a condensed version of MCEE’s October 2024 newsletter.

As a committed MCEE board member, I had the privilege to present at the June 2024 teacher certification training, witnessing firsthand the potential of these initiatives. However, while our goals are clear, our capacity to meet them without additional support is not sufficient.

How You Can Help Us Meet the Challenge

Your support will help MCEE to set personal finance academic standards and advocate for broader financial literacy programs within community education settings. Additional funding could also help launch a research project to document and analyze data about the life-changing impact of financial education on Minnesota’s students.

Please Donate Today

Your investment in personal finance education empowers students to transform their lives by equipping them with the skills to build a secure financial future. Please support Minnesota’s financial literacy initiative by making a tax-deductible donation to MCEE today. You can target your contribution to support personal finance programming.

• Donate Online
  Our online form makes donating fast, easy, and secure. Visit mcee.umn.edu/donate
  
• Donate by Mail
  Send your check to:
  Minnesota Council on Economic Education
  1994 Buford Ave.
  116 Ruttan Hall
  St. Paul, MN 55108

Thank you for considering this opportunity to impact Minnesota’s financial future!