MADISON, Wis. (8/25/15)--The National Credit Union Foundation continues to step up its work putting Biz Kid$, a credit union-funded public television program focused on youth financial education, in front of as many children as it can.

This week the foundation announced it approved 16 grants totaling $78,000 that will be distributed to various organizations within the credit union movement. The grant program aims to encourage the use of Biz Kid$ as a way to enhance financial literacy and economic education skills in kids nationwide.

Credit unions and other organizations that will receive the grants plan to use the funding in a variety of ways, for example:

• Atomic CU, Piketon, Ohio, will use the funding to implement the Biz Kid$ Piggy Bank Hunt--a financial literacy treasure hunt--in eight of its student-run credit union branches. The credit union also plans to show the Biz Kid$ DVDs during financial education classroom sessions and at the local YMCA;
   
• The Credit Union League of Connecticut plans to bring its young professional network into the fold by educating them about the Biz Kid$ program and asking them to develop ways to bring the financial literacy tool into schools across the state; and
   
• The Northwest Credit Union Foundation will use the funds to offer Biz Kid$ starter kits to children being treated at the six Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Oregon and Washington. Four families per hospital will be chosen to grant the program to their respective schools.

Other organizations to receive grant funding:

• Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia, Lynchburg, Va.;
• Natco CU, Richmond, Ind.;
• City County Employees CU, Clearwater, Fla.;
• Syracuse (N.Y.) Cooperative FCU;
• Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation, Farmers Branch, Texas;
• Kansas City (Mo.) CU;
• Limestone FCU, Manistique, Mich.;
• Maps CU, Salem, Ore.;
• NuVista FCU, Montrose, Colo.;
• Securityplus FCU, Baltimore;
• ServU FCU, Painted Post, N.Y.;
• Southern Chautauqua FCU, Lakewood, N.Y.; and
• Trona Valley FCU, Green River, Wyo.

The foundation is responsible for funding and outreach for the Biz Kid$ program, which is geared toward children age 9 to 16 years old. More than 300 credit unions nationwide have helped fund Biz Kid$.