The M&M Area Community Foundation’s (MMACF) Future Fund children’s savings account (CSA) initiative has drawn the attention of University of Wisconsin Extension educators and leaders. 

As CMF reported, the long-term CSA was launched by MMACF in 2019 and is designed to build savings, assist with career training and post-secondary education expenses, and increase financial literacy among area youth. 

Through the Future Fund, all kindergarten students enrolled throughout Marinette and Menominee Counties, as well as home-school and virtual school students, have a $50 deposit-only savings account established by the MMACF at a financial institution in their community. 

Paula Gruszynski, executive director of MMACF, will participate in forums sponsored by UW Extension to mentor and provide networking support to Wisconsin communities interested in developing regional strategies to create and expand universal CSAs.

Forum participants will include educational and community leaders from both Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as from other areas of the country.

MMACF was the first to organize CSAs in Wisconsin and at this time is one of two such programs in Wisconsin overall.

“This is quite an honor for the foundation to be asked and is indicative of the strong leadership provided by our Board of Directors. Of course, I am willing to help where I can because the Future Fund children’s savings account is both an inspiration and a promise to children and strengthens communities into the future,” Gruszynski said.

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