The Michigan Department of Treasury and State Treasurer Rachael A. Eubanks on Monday announced the launch of the Mi Money Matters Financial Empowerment Initiative, the largest financial literacy campaign ever undertaken in metro Detroit. The effort is being rolled out in partnership with the philanthropic Ballmer Group and leaders across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
“Through this initiative, we’re bringing meaningful financial tools directly to metro Detroit,” Eubanks said. “By focusing on budgeting, saving, credit and planning for the future, we’re working to ensure individuals and families have the resources they need to build long-term financial stability.”
Eubanks said the campaign will officially begin April 1 to coincide with National Financial Literacy Month. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan headquarters, where financial, faith and local government leaders joined more than 60 high school students serving as youth ambassadors for the effort.
The expanded initiative comes amid significant need in the region. Nearly 80 percent of metro Detroiters earning below $125,000 report never receiving formal education in personal finance. Five of Michigan’s 10 most “unbanked” cities—Detroit, Highland Park, Pontiac, Ecorse and Inkster—are in metro Detroit, with Detroit reporting that roughly a quarter of residents are unbanked or underbanked. Unbanked refers to adults who do not use or do not have access to any traditional financial services, including savings accounts, credit cards, or personal checks.
Michigan has recently required all high school students to complete a personal finance course to graduate, beginning with the Class of 2028. Within the Detroit Metro Prosperity Region, 280 of 422 high schools report teaching assignments eligible for personal finance instruction, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
The Ballmer Group is supporting the campaign with a $1.5 million grant. Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization founded in 2015 by Connie and Steve Ballmer, is focused on improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States and invests deeply in three core regions: Washington State, Los Angeles County, and Southeast Michigan.
“Ballmer Group is proud to support the Money Matters Financial Empowerment Initiative as it connects Michiganders with tools that build financial knowledge and confidence,” said Ballmer Group Executive Director for Southeast Michigan Kylee Mitchell Wells. “Expanding participation in these resources is an important step toward strengthening financial stability and advancing economic mobility across the state.”
The initiative includes MiMoneyMatters.org, a new online hub featuring free videos, interactive tools and articles covering topics such as credit, banking, student loan repayment, financial planning and long-term care.
The Treasury Department also announced a new partnership with Michigan-based Headstream Technologies, developer of the MILearner Wallet educational tool. The platform will serve as the initiative’s official credential issuer, providing students with verified, portable records of completed financial education modules.
The campaign is being amplified with help from a broad network of trusted community messengers as well as promotional placements across print, radio, digital media and local retail
outlets. The Library of Michigan and more than 80 public libraries across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties are also participating.
Local elected officials and faith leaders from Detroit and surrounding communities joining the event and committing to serve as Mi Money Matters ambassadors included Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald, Ecorse Mayor Lamar Tidwell, Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness, Inkster Mayor Byron H. Nolen Pastor Edgar Vann, Second Ebeneezer Church, Detroit; Pastor Lance Pittman, First Praise Pentecostal Church, Detroit; Pastor Alonzo Bell, Redeem Detroit Martin Evers MBC; Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq., Isaiah 58, Detroit; Dr. Willie A. Gholston II, Count Historic Ebenezer AME Church, Detroit; The Rev. Cindy Rudolph, Oak Grove AMEC, Detroit; Pastor Lance Pittman, First Praise Pentecostal, Detroit; The Rev. Sharinese Jackson, Vernon Chapel AME Church, Detroit; The Rev. Sharinese Jackson, Conant Gardens Neighborhood Development Corp., Detroit; The Rev. Jacquelynne Burge, Vinson Chapel AMEC, Clinton Township; the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance; and, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity Inc.
“We want Michiganders to have the financial knowledge they need to avoid common pitfalls such as taking on high-interest loans, accumulating credit card debt and failing to save for emergencies,” Eubanks said. “These issues trap people in cycles of debt that could have been avoided. Mi Money Matters is designed to help change that.”
“Through this initiative, we’re bringing meaningful financial tools directly to metro Detroit,” Eubanks said. “By focusing on budgeting, saving, credit and planning for the future, we’re working to ensure individuals and families have the resources they need to build long-term financial stability.”
Eubanks said the campaign will officially begin April 1 to coincide with National Financial Literacy Month. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan headquarters, where financial, faith and local government leaders joined more than 60 high school students serving as youth ambassadors for the effort.
The expanded initiative comes amid significant need in the region. Nearly 80 percent of metro Detroiters earning below $125,000 report never receiving formal education in personal finance. Five of Michigan’s 10 most “unbanked” cities—Detroit, Highland Park, Pontiac, Ecorse and Inkster—are in metro Detroit, with Detroit reporting that roughly a quarter of residents are unbanked or underbanked. Unbanked refers to adults who do not use or do not have access to any traditional financial services, including savings accounts, credit cards, or personal checks.
Michigan has recently required all high school students to complete a personal finance course to graduate, beginning with the Class of 2028. Within the Detroit Metro Prosperity Region, 280 of 422 high schools report teaching assignments eligible for personal finance instruction, according to the Michigan Department of Education.
The Ballmer Group is supporting the campaign with a $1.5 million grant. Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization founded in 2015 by Connie and Steve Ballmer, is focused on improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States and invests deeply in three core regions: Washington State, Los Angeles County, and Southeast Michigan.
“Ballmer Group is proud to support the Money Matters Financial Empowerment Initiative as it connects Michiganders with tools that build financial knowledge and confidence,” said Ballmer Group Executive Director for Southeast Michigan Kylee Mitchell Wells. “Expanding participation in these resources is an important step toward strengthening financial stability and advancing economic mobility across the state.”
The initiative includes MiMoneyMatters.org, a new online hub featuring free videos, interactive tools and articles covering topics such as credit, banking, student loan repayment, financial planning and long-term care.
The Treasury Department also announced a new partnership with Michigan-based Headstream Technologies, developer of the MILearner Wallet educational tool. The platform will serve as the initiative’s official credential issuer, providing students with verified, portable records of completed financial education modules.
The campaign is being amplified with help from a broad network of trusted community messengers as well as promotional placements across print, radio, digital media and local retail
outlets. The Library of Michigan and more than 80 public libraries across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties are also participating.
Local elected officials and faith leaders from Detroit and surrounding communities joining the event and committing to serve as Mi Money Matters ambassadors included Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald, Ecorse Mayor Lamar Tidwell, Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness, Inkster Mayor Byron H. Nolen Pastor Edgar Vann, Second Ebeneezer Church, Detroit; Pastor Lance Pittman, First Praise Pentecostal Church, Detroit; Pastor Alonzo Bell, Redeem Detroit Martin Evers MBC; Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq., Isaiah 58, Detroit; Dr. Willie A. Gholston II, Count Historic Ebenezer AME Church, Detroit; The Rev. Cindy Rudolph, Oak Grove AMEC, Detroit; Pastor Lance Pittman, First Praise Pentecostal, Detroit; The Rev. Sharinese Jackson, Vernon Chapel AME Church, Detroit; The Rev. Sharinese Jackson, Conant Gardens Neighborhood Development Corp., Detroit; The Rev. Jacquelynne Burge, Vinson Chapel AMEC, Clinton Township; the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance; and, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity Inc.
“We want Michiganders to have the financial knowledge they need to avoid common pitfalls such as taking on high-interest loans, accumulating credit card debt and failing to save for emergencies,” Eubanks said. “These issues trap people in cycles of debt that could have been avoided. Mi Money Matters is designed to help change that.”
