Financial literacy and teens: A path to brighter futures

By Kristine Dixon, Charles Schwab Foundation Executive Director

Financial health is a lifelong journey that should start early and adapt to the times. At Charles Schwab Foundation, we know the power of financial education because we've been championing this work for decades. We've seen first-hand how helping kids, teens, and young adults learn to make smart money decisions can strengthen their confidence and unlock their potential to live the life they want and deserve. And because we want his impact to grow, we're constantly innovating.

The need for financial literacy has never been greater. According to the annual P-Fin Index, less than half of American adults are considered financially literate. That's a wake-up call. But it's also a reminder that how we teach matters just as much as what we teach.

People learn differently today than they did even a few years ago. So we're constantly evolving—using new technologies, platforms, and formats to meet people where they are. Whether it's online tools, interactive workshops, or community events, we're focused on making financial education accessible and engaging. Our 2026 Teen Investing Survey found that teens cite platforms like YouTube among their top ways to learn about investing—so meeting them across channels isn't just helpful, it's expected. After all, what works for today's young people will likely be irrelevant tomorrow.

One of the things I'm excited about right now is our new Schwab Moneywise Teens initiative. It's a collection of articles and videos designed to help teens build practical money skills—things like budgeting, saving, and understanding credit. It's a first step, but a meaningful one toward financial independence.

From the start, our mission has been clear: to equip as many young people as we can with financial education to help shape brighter futures. We're relentless in our efforts to open the doors to knowledge, confidence, and lifelong opportunity.

But we don't do this work alone. For more than two decades, Charles Schwab Foundation has partnered with some of the largest and most effective youth-serving organizations, like Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, and Junior Achievement. These partnerships help us reach tens of thousands of teens and young adults every year with content and learning experiences they value.

Through our Moneywise America™ program, we also tap into the talents of Schwab's 30,000+ employees—bringing high-quality financial education to communities across the country, and helping to close the financial education gap particularly in low- to moderate-income communities. It's a collective effort, and it's making a real difference.

Since Charles Schwab Foundation's founding in 1987, we've reached millions of people through our financial literacy programs and grants. And the ripple effect is powerful—touching students, teachers, parents, and entire communities.

But financial literacy isn't just about numbers. It's about confidence. It's about opportunity. And it's about giving people the tools to build the future they want and deserve. As technology, culture, and the very ways we interact with money continue to shift, our strategies must be as dynamic as the world our teens will inherit. By fostering curiosity, resilience, and adaptability in the next generation, we're laying the groundwork for individual empowerment, and for a society where financial capability is universal, where more people can prosper and thrive.