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Welcome to the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy


Governor’s proclamation sets April 20-27 as Money Smart Week Wisconsin

Peter Bildsten, Secretary of the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), displays a proclamation issued by Governor Scott Walker announcing April 20-27, 2013, as Money Smart Week Wisconsin. The proclamation was unveiled on Wednesday (Sept. 26) at a meeting of the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy in Madison. Wisconsin will be one of more than a dozen states participating in Money Smart Week, which was founded by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and is spearheaded in Wisconsin by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and hundreds of partner organizations. Wisconsin’s Money Smart Week activities earlier this year included approximately 300 events around the state that attracted nearly 8,000 participants. The Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy has a mission of measurably improving the financial literacy of Wisconsin citizens. Click here to view a copy of the proclamation.


  • Adobe PDF Document Wisconsin Employer Financial Wellness Input Survey findings(PDF: 584 KB / 6 pages)

    • In late 2012, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), on behalf of the Workplace Financial Literacy Committee of the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy, surveyed Wisconsin employers to learn more about employer-provided financial education in the State.
    Key Findings
    • 59% of respondents currently offer financial education to their employees.
    • Large companies are much more likely than small firms to offer financial education.
    • The vast majority (86%) of firms that offer financial education have done so for more than 1 year.


  • Adobe PDF Document Governor’s Council Honors 21 with 2012 Wisconsin Financial Literacy Award (PDF: 366 KB / 2 pages)
  • Adobe PDF Document Governor's Council awards $250,000 in financial literacy grants (PDF: 378 KB / 13 pages)

    Learn how your organization can benefit from this grant-funded program by joining us for an informational webinar on August 7th or August 21st. Just use this link to register for the webinar of your choice at www.ieiyw.com/webinars.
    Participation in the program is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis so if you think financial education is important, register to attend a webinar today!




    • Adobe PDF Document Governor's Council on Financial Literacy members (PDF: 284 KB / 5 pages)

    The Council's mission is to measurably improve the financial literacy of Wisconsin's citizens through the actions listed on Executive Order #24 and shall guide and serve as a continuous sounding board for the Office of the Governor and the Department of Financial Institutions' Office of Financial Literacy.

    Many Wisconsin families— but particularly low- and moderate-income ones—struggle to deal effectively with the complex range of choices they encounter in the financial services markets. Families that lack financial assets have little ability to build wealth and they contribute to rising consumer debt. Surveys also show that youth lack basic financial skills and knowledge.

    The Council is part of a pro-active approach to improving financial literacy in Wisconsin and making the state the recognized national leader when it comes to promoting financial literacy.

    The Council welcomes and encourages your participation. Please pass along your ideas and suggestions by using the “Contact us” feature on the bottom of this page.

    Thank you in advance for your participation.

    The Governor's Council on Financial Literacy

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