Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
An ever changing economy, rising prices for everyday living expenses, increased use of credit to pay bills, and lack of savings for the future emphasize the importance of providing consumers with educational opportunities to make wise financial decisions. Building community partnerships is essential to providing a variety of programming to reach different audiences with the information most relevant to them.

Response:
Over 40 partners representing financial institutions, education, government agencies, and non-profit community organizations met for six months to plan the “Money Smart Week” events in Cedar Rapids and in the Quad Cities. All workshops, seminars, and activities were educational in nature, designed to improve knowledge of personal finances, and free and open to the public. The Iowa Bankers Association and Iowa Credit Union League collaborated to provide $1,000 scholarships (via the 529 plans) for the Money Smart Kid contest winners in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and the Quad Cities.

Impact:
Money Smart Week began with nearly 100 partners and community leaders attending a kick-off breakfast in Davenport followed by a similar event in Cedar Rapids with more than 50 in attendance. Over 40 educational events were held April 5 to 12, 2008 in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area and a similar number in the Quad Cities.

A variety of topics were covered, including home buying, credit, college financing, retirement planning, and investing. A total of 473 participants attended educational events in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and 464 in the Quad Cities. Only 35-40% of the events reported attendance so participation was potentially much higher than reported.

Participant surveys were distributed at the close of each MSW event. In Cedar Rapids 227 surveys were returned with 484 responses collected in the Quad Cities. Survey results indicated the following:

Impact of MSW Events	Cedar Rapids Participants	Quad City Participants
Session was valuable or very valuable	94%	100%
Likely or very likely to change the way you manage money as a result of the class	84%	87%
Likely or very likely to recommend a Money Smart event to your friends or family	91%	98%

The partners will begin meeting again this fall to plan for “Money Smart Week 2009.”

Additional ISUE Staff:
Linda Bigley, County Extension Education Director, 319-377-9839, lbigley@iastate.edu

Additional Team Members/Community Partners:
"Money Smart Week" partners in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Joanne Kuster, state MSW chairperson

Contact:
Phyllis Zalenski
Jones County Extension
605 E Main St
Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-2791
zalenski@iastate.edu