Young Money Finance

What Young Money Finance does

Young Money Finances (YMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that delivers culturally responsive financial literacy education to youth, families, schools, and community organizations primarily in West Michigan. Founded by Dondrea Brown, the organization operates a portfolio of programs including FLIP Academy (a partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools), a 6-week summer camp for grades 1–12, customized on-site workshops, the Money Mentor Program, Young Money Families quarterly workshops, the Financial Empowerment Collaborative at HUB 07, the We Matter Now leadership initiative for at-potential Black and Brown youth, and Community Corner resource programming, complemented by community events such as Financial Field Days and the Dreams to Dollars Carnival.

The organization's core technology and content assets consist of a proprietary, culturally relevant financial literacy curriculum delivered through interactive kits (Money Manager's Kit, Young Investor's Kit, Young Entrepreneur's Kit), 55-card Money Manager Flashcard decks, student financial planners, small business planners, and investor journals, alongside merchandise such as t-shirts and sticker sets. Delivery is split between in-person regional programming at schools, community centers, partner locations (Aquinas College, HUB 07), and a direct e-commerce storefront (ymfgr.org) for physical product sales, with marketing run through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, email, and local earned media (Fox 17 News, 13 ON YOUR SIDE).

YMF's revenue model is diversified across program fees (workshops, summer camp at $150/camper, family workshops), product sales ranging from $5 to $85, tiered corporate sponsorships ($5,000 Silver Barrier Breaker, $10,000 Gold Dream Maker, $15,000+ Legacy Builder), individual donations, a recurring monthly Sustainable Giving subscription ($5–$100+), and event fundraising (Dreams to Dollars Carnival at $25/ticket). Customer segments span youth and families (primary), schools and educational institutions (primary, via GRPS), community organizations and corporations (secondary), and corporate sponsors/donors (secondary). The organization relies on a board-staffed governance structure led by Founding CEO Dondrea Brown, with a Board of Directors comprising senior executives from Huntington National Bank, LincUP, Positive Impact for Life, O'Keefe, and Corewell Health.

Name

Young Money Finance

Legal name

Young Money Finances

Website

https://ymfgr.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Young Money Finances is a Grand Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers culturally responsive financial literacy programs and educational kits to youth, families, schools, and community organizations across West Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Literacy Education

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Finance & Financial Literacy for Students (EDAMAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Budgeting & Cash-Flow Management (EDAAAJAA), Banking & Payments (Accounts, Cards, Digital Payments) (EDAAAJAD), Small Business & Self-Employment Personal Finance (Income, Expenses, Cash Reserves) (EDAAAJAL)

Keywords

• Financial literacy education
• Youth financial education
• Financial empowerment workshops
• Community financial programs
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of financial education materials including kits ($85), flashcards ($24), planners ($20), and merchandise. Direct e-commerce sales through website shop.
2. Workshop Fees: Fees for customized financial workshops delivered to schools, community organizations, and corporations. Interactive quarterly family workshops.
3. Summer Camp Enrollment: Summer camp enrollment fees of $150 per camper covering 6-week programs with field trips, projects, meals, and structured programming.
4. Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers ($5,000-$15,000+) and individual donations. Tax-deductible contributions supporting Dreams to Dollars scholarship fund and Secure the Bag scholarship.
5. Event Fundraising: Dreams to Dollars Carnival tickets ($25 each) and fundraising activities supporting financial education programs and scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Young Money Finances is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers culturally relevant financial literacy education through in-person programs (FLIP Academy, Summer Camps, Customized Workshops, Money Mentorship, Family Workshops, Community Corner, Financial Empowerment Collaborative) and a proprietary retail product line (Money Manager Kits, Flashcards, Financial Planners, Investor Journals, merchandise). The organization primarily serves youth, families, schools, and community groups in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan region.

Product overview

Young Money Finances (YMF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs and products focused on financial literacy for youth and families. The organization's offerings include: (1) Programs: FLIP Academy (in partnership with GRPS Schools for middle/high school students), Summer Camps (6-week intensive for grades 1st-12th), Customized Workshops (tailored sessions for schools, organizations, and businesses), Money Mentor Program (one-on-one mentorship), Young Money Families (quarterly family workshops), Financial Empowerment Collaborative (local hub with coaching and resources), We Matter Now (leadership initiative for at-potential youth), and Community Corner (resource hub); (2) Retail Products: Financial planners (College Student Financial Planner, YMF Financial Planner, YMF Young Entrepreneur Small Business Planner), educational kits (Young Money Manager's Kit, Young Entrepreneur's Kit, Young Investor's Kit), investor journals (Buy Low Sell High Investor Journal, Trade Your Plan Investor Journal), Money Manager Flashcards (standard and Investor's Edition), apparel (Tshirt), and merchandise (Die Cut Sticker Set). The programs are primarily delivered in-person in the Grand Rapids, MI area, while products are sold through the organization's online shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FLIP Academy Financial Literacy is Intellectual Prosperity (F.L.I.P.) Academy — a partnership between YMF and Grand Rapids Public Schools equipping middle and high school students, their families, and teachers with skills to make informed financial decisions using a culturally relevant financial literacy model.
• YMF Summer Camp A 6-week summer experience providing age-based learning covering financial literacy, reading literacy, character development, field trips, projects, and activities for grades 1st-12th.
• Customized Workshops Tailored interactive sessions covering budgeting, saving, investing basics, credit management, entrepreneurship, financial planning, psychology of money, and homeownership for community groups, schools, and corporations.
• Money Mentor Program A mentorship program pairing students with Money Mentors for biweekly conversations on investing, saving, budgeting, financial terms, and developing confidence and vocabulary to talk about money.
• Young Money Families Interactive quarterly sessions empowering families to take ownership of their financial journey with knowledge, tools, and activities for effective financial management and at-home financial conversations.
• Community Events Community events providing engaging and educational financial literacy through interactive activities, games, and simulations of real-life financial scenarios, including Financial Field Days, Financial Game Night, and Budget and Sip events.
• Financial Empowerment Collaborative (FEC) A community hub at HUB 07 in Grand Rapids offering one-on-one coaching, financial workshops, and financial tools and resources delivered closer to the community.
• We Matter Now A three-phase initiative for 8th-11th grade Black and Brown at-potential youth including a conference, summer programming (Young Money Managers, Young Investors, Young Entrepreneurs), and ongoing leadership initiatives.
• Community Corner A dedicated space for community members to access financial resources, engage with financial education materials, attend workshops, and seek financial counseling with partner organizations.
• Young Money Manager's Kit A comprehensive kit for teens to learn money management including a budget planner, flashcards, stickers, and financial tip cards.
• Young Entrepreneur's Kit A kit for teens interested in entrepreneurship, including a Small Business Planner, flashcards, stickers, Money Sorting Envelopes, and financial tip cards.
• Young Investor's Kit A kit for teens to learn about investing including an investor journal, flashcards, stickers, and financial tip cards.
• Money Manager Flashcards A deck of 55 cards educating on various financial terms people use every day, enabling family and friends to learn together.
• Money Manager Flashcards Investor's Edition A 55-card deck educating on various investor terms, teaching the language of finances and investing in a fun and engaging way.
• College Student Financial Planner A planner designed to assist college students with planning expenses, containing savings, investing, money management tips, and ways to secure scholarships and grants.
• YMF Financial Planner A student monthly financial planner assisting teens with planning expenses and time, containing savings, investing, money management tips, financial reality check, and goal creation.
• YMF Young Entrepreneur Small Business Planner A planner for teens who want to create a business, providing a step-by-step illustrated guide addressing customers, marketing, finances, and more.
• Buy Low, Sell High Investor Journal for Beginners An investor journal for beginners to learn and practice trading strategies.
• Trade Your Plan Investor Journal An investor journal helping traders create and align their trading plan, strategy, and approach through writing and reflection.
• YMF Die Cut Sticker Set A sticker set containing three die-cut stickers: a blue sticker (4" x 1.76"), an orange sticker (3" x 1.6"), and a YMF backpack sticker (2.57" x 3").
• Young Money Finances T-Shirt Apparel item supporting the organization's commitment to empowering children and young adults to improve their financial future.

Quantifiable outcome

• 69% of U.S. adults concerned about finances; 76% of teens lack basic financial knowledge - YMF addresses these gaps
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• GRPS Schools (Grand Rapids Public Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFLIP Academy (Financial Literacy is Intellectual Prosperity) is a partnership between YMF and GRPS Schools. The program equips middle and high school students, their families, and teachers with skills to make informed financial decisions. Uses a culturally relevant financial literacy model.
• Bridge Street MinistriessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Money Smart Kids Lab - an 8-week Money Manager Program delivered to youth through the ministry's community programs.
• Project GREEN (Grassroots Economic Empowerment Network)minorOthersReferenced in Community Corner as a community resource partner. Project GREEN empowers financial capability and implements advocacy initiatives that tear down systemic barriers to economic success.
• Kent County Tax Credit CoalitionminorOthersReferenced in Community Corner as a community resource. KCTCC helps working individuals and families gain economic stability through free tax preparation and financial literacy courses.
• ICCF Community HomesminorOthersReferenced in Community Corner as a community resource. ICCF seeks housing justice in West Michigan for a more equitable and thriving community.
• Better Wiser StrongersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in We Matter Now initiative. Better Wiser Stronger offers Blueprint Journal workshop as part of its boys-to-men curriculum designed to provide a blueprint for success for at-potential youth.
• Aquinas CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp sessions held at Aquinas College Albertus Hall location for Young Money Manager, Entrepreneur, and Investor programs.
• BWS (organization)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with YMF for 2026 Summer Camp - a 6-week summer experience providing age-based learning opportunities covering financial literacy, reading literacy, character development, and engaging activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Junior Achievement USA: National 501(c)(3) delivering K-12 financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education through in-school programs. Largest scaled peer; overlaps with YMF's youth financial literacy mission but operates across all 50 states with a much larger footprint.
• EverFi (Vector Solutions): Enterprise digital learning platform that delivers financial literacy modules to K-12 and higher-ed students. Broader product portfolio (also covers SEL, DEI, compliance), but directly comparable core offering for school and community-based financial education deployments.
• Next Gen Personal Finance: Nonprofit offering free, ready-to-teach personal finance curriculum for high school educators with a strong teacher community. Competes for the same school-district adoption slot as YMF's FLIP Academy and benefits from the same state-mandate tailwinds.
• National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE): Private nonprofit foundation funding and producing financial literacy research, programs, and curricula. Operates as a national-level peer with mission alignment to YMF and could be a partner or competitor for grant funding and curriculum distribution.

Direct peers

• Banzai: Online financial literacy platform specifically built for teens and classrooms with simulations, budgeting exercises, and teacher resources. Directly comparable product offering (interactive teen financial education), though delivered digitally rather than in-person.
• FoolProof Solo: Provider of K-12 financial literacy curriculum used by schools and credit unions. Directly competes for school-district curriculum adoption budgets and aligns with the same teacher-train-the-teacher model YMF uses in FLIP Academy.
• InCharge Debt Solutions (InCharge Education Foundation): Nonprofit providing financial education and debt management programs, including youth-focused financial literacy curricula for schools and communities. Directly comparable mission and delivery model with a longer operating history.

Emerging players

• Greenlight Financial Education: Fintech family-banking and financial education app for kids and teens. Adjacent product offering (youth financial literacy) but delivers via a debit-card-and-app model rather than community workshops; partially competes for the same parent-and-teen mindshare.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGTC6vVIeLiCqnnhryjyoBQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ymfgr.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/ymfgr
• TikToktiktok.com/@youngmoneyfinancesgr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ymfgr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Young Money Finance