OUR IMPACT
Through Gifted Savings, students are building financial knowledge, developing saving habits, and feeling more hopeful about their futures. Explore the results and hear their stories below.
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A school community’s story
Jaclyn Brown, Teacher at Clarke County High School
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What real ownership can unlock
Laila Bolton, Clarke Central High School
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A brighter start for seniors
Quinn Pendley, Athens, Georgia
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Why this work matters
Omnia Mansour, Cedar Shoals High School
students served
gifted to students
of students completed the curriculum
By the end of the Gifted Savings program, students reported being more knowledgeable about money, building better money habits, and feeling more hopeful about their futures.
↑ 48 pts
More students feel knowledgeable about investing
59% rated their investing knowledge fairly or very high at year-end, up from 11% at baseline.
Start of year
11%
Year-end
59%
↑ 30 pts
More students feel confident in their financial knowledge
44% rated their overall financial knowledge fairly or very high at year-end, up from 14% at baseline.
Start of year
14%
Year-end
44%
↑ 29 pts
As many students consider compound interest when making financial decisions
55% said they were very or extremely likely to consider its effects, up from 26% at baseline.
Start of year
26%
Year-end
55%
Student Testimonial
Students regularly save money
66% reported saving fairly or very often at year-end, up from 52% at baseline.
52%
66%
↑ 14 pts
Plan ahead before they shop
The share who make a shopping list at least somewhat often rose from 57% to 73%—while those who never make one fell by more than half.
57%
73%
↑ 16 pts
Start of program
End of program
Feel optimistic about their financial future
Up from 38% at baseline—a 17 percentage-point increase.
38%
55%
↑ 17 pts
Nearly 3 in 4
Practice generosity without expecting anything in return
73% reported showing generosity to someone they didn’t know, up from 62% at baseline.
62%
73%
↑ 11 pts
Start of program
End of program
Student Testimonial
Student Testimonial
Student Testimonial
Results compare baseline and year-end student surveys for 2025–26, analyzed with the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Findings reflect students’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; they do not establish that the program caused these changes.
Loved by Students
“Someone investing in my future showed me that my goals actually matter and are worth working for. It made me want to be more responsible, save more, and make smarter decisions so I don’t waste the opportunities I’ve been given.”
M
Matthew
Clarke Central
Gifted Savings 2026
“Having someone invest in your future instills a profound sense of responsibility and validation. It shifts your financial mindset from mere survival to long-term growth, transforming the way you think, feel, and act regarding your resources and goals.”
L
Llnyah
Yellow Springs High School
Gifted Savings 2026
“Before, I mostly thought about money in the moment. But now, I think about long-term benefits and how small decisions today can affect my future. Money isn’t just for spending; it can be used as a tool to build stability and create opportunities.”
L
Laila
Clarke Central
Gifted Savings 2026
“I’ve always wanted to invest but never had the funds or ability to. Now I’ve learned and can use my knowledge and this money to start learning more in investments I have control over. Most of the money I make right now I’m putting to my college tuition so I can use this money to start building my future.”
A
Ainsley
Yellow Springs High School
Gifted Savings 2026
“It made me think about money as something that can grow over time instead of something that’s just spent in the moment. I feel more responsible and motivated to make thoughtful decisions, knowing that someone believed in my future.”
A
Alex
Classic City
Gifted Savings 2026
“I am so incredibly thankful to you for helping me and my peers out in the long run. I never would have imagined having someone do this for me. And I’m forever thankful.”
J
Jayda
Yellow Springs High School
Gifted Savings 2026
“Seeing someone invest in my future made me take my goals more seriously. It showed me that my future matters, so now I try to make smarter decisions with my money and think about long-term success.”
A
Alarria
Classic City
Gifted Savings 2026
“Their belief in me made me take my goals more seriously. Their investment didn’t just help me in the moment — it pushed me to build a future where I can eventually invest in someone else the same way.”
C
Carlos
Clarke Central
Gifted Savings 2026
“I am so thankful you chose to invest in my future. I’m going to graduate high school having more knowledge in this world and plan to invest more myself in the future. Thank you for being so generous.”
A
Alessandra
Cedar Shoals
Gifted Savings 2026
Bring Gifted Savings to your school or community—or help fund the next student’s financial future.