FINRA Investor Education Foundation Announces 2008 Grant Program
The Foundation is interested in funding projects that will reach and actively engage at-risk audiences, such as seniors and first-time investors, by offering them access to unbiased information about the markets and fundamental financial issues.
"The Foundation is committed to finding new and innovative ways of improving and expanding education resources for targeted segments of the population in order to help them enter the markets with confidence and secure their financial futures," said Foundation Chairman Mary Schapiro, who also serves as FINRA's CEO.
Of particular interest to the Foundation in 2008 are projects that focus on the following areas:
- New marketing and distribution channels for financial and investor education.
- Helping Americans manage their finances in retirement.
- Meeting the financial and investor education needs of underserved audiences.
- Using behavioral finance to improve saving and investing.
Organizations interested in applying for a grant should review the Foundation's grant guidelines to determine whether the organization and proposed project meet basic eligibility requirements. Before submitting a full grant proposal, the Foundation is asking applicants for the first time to submit a three-page project concept form. Eligible applicants whose projects most closely align with the Foundation's priorities will be invited to submit a full grant proposal. Project concept forms will be accepted at any time during the calendar year, however, submission deadlines correspond to the announcement of grant awards in June, October and December of 2008. The Foundation has set no minimum or maximum for the number of grants to be funded or for the amounts of the grant awards. In considering grant requests, the merits of the proposed project will be the primary focus. Successful education projects will have measurable impact and reach large audiences in a cost-effective manner. For research projects, the Foundation is especially interested in work that has practical applications in the financial and investor education field.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. To date, the FINRA Foundation has approved $10.4 million in grants and an additional $10.2 million in direct investor education programming. For details about grant programs and other FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit www.finrafoundation.org.
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. Created in 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and NYSE Member Regulation, FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business - from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms; writing and enforcing rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities, and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and registered firms. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.FINRA.org.