Brilliant Futures

AT-A-GLANCE

Strong financial starts for our youngest students.

$1,000

Annual Investment

Program Partners

The Need

Brilliant Futures is a public-private partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and The Community Foundation that is funded using $10 million of contributions raised by The Community Foundation’s Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice and through investments from generous donors. As the initial investor and convener, our vision is to build public will to support children’s savings programs to be scaled from pilots to policy. Our aspiration is that initiatives like Brilliant Futures can become a common practice for advancing economic security and closing the racial wealth gap in the Greater Washington region.

The Impact

Each child enrolled in the pilot program will receive a deposit of up to $1,000 each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. The overall funds will grow over time through The Community Foundation’s expert investment management. Our goal is that, upon completing high school, each student will have access to at least $13,000 that they can use to seed their future aspirations — whatever those aspirations may be.

Upon graduating (or an equivalent), students enrolled in Brilliant Futures can put their savings toward ongoing education and training or pursue other income- or wealth-generating opportunities, such as buying a home or starting a business. Community partners will work with participating students throughout their elementary and high school education to support their ongoing success, including providing coaching and resources to help them plan for the future.

The Community Foundation has partnered with community-based nonprofits including the Parent Encouragement Program (Montgomery County) and the Reid Community Development Corporation (Prince George’s County) to ensure that this pilot program is managed equitably and effectively.