State Agencies Announce Recipients of Financial Education Grant for Veteran-Serving Institutions  

Organizations will use their funds to offer financial education programming to the military community. 

BOSTON – The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), the Division of Banks (DOB), and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) announced the recipients of the 2024 round of Operation Money Wise. This grant funding promotes financial education programming for non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions that serve the military community in Massachusetts. 

This year, seven organizations received funding to create new or improve pre-existing financial programs. In total, these groups were awarded $35,000. Funding is possible through a Division of Banks settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices. 

The 2024 grant recipients are: 

Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts	$5,000
Bridgewater State University	$5,000
Joe Q Veteran Coffee Break, Inc.	$5,000
Springfield Partners for Community Action	$5,000
Town of Middleborough	$5,000
Veteran’s Legal Services, Inc.	$5,000
YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts	$5,000

“We are proud to support organizations that enhance the financial well-being of our military community,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “This year’s grantees make a real difference in the lives of those who served our country, helping them achieve stability and security for themselves and their families.” 

“As a gesture of appreciation and gratitude for service and sacrifice, the Division of Banks is honored to be able to support financial education opportunities tailored especially for the military community. We hope these programs are helpful to those who serve,” said Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks Mary L. Gallagher.

“Operation Money Wise grantees serve our military community in the best ways possible, and we are proud to take part in this financial education program,” said Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Layla R. D’Emilia

Since 2016, Operation Money Wise has provided over $264,432 in funding for financial education programs offered by veteran-serving non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions. This grant opportunity allows organizations to use their knowledge and expertise to design or enhance a program that would best serve their community. Many of these workshops will include strategy sessions on basic budgeting, managing debt, preparing for retirement and decisions around money. 

About the Office of Economic Empowerment  

Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment, led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state. 

About the Division of Banks  

The Division of Banks (DOB), which is a division of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, is the chartering authority and primary regulator for financial service providers in Massachusetts. DOB's primary mission is to ensure a sound, competitive, and accessible financial services environment throughout the state. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation protects and empowers consumers through advocacy and education and ensures a fair playing field for the Massachusetts businesses its agencies regulate. 

About the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation  

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation protects and empowers consumers through advocacy and education, and ensures a fair playing field for the Massachusetts businesses its agencies regulate. 

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