Shown: Professor Eric Clayborn, Students Colton Hubbard, Patricia Hardy, Jessica Wickey, and Nathan Prim.
Cass Kickstart to Careers partnered with SMC IT students in spring 2026 to develop an ATM application for Middle School students to make their monthly Kickstart deposits. The ATM went into use in May, 2026. Through a State of Michigan CEDAM grant, Cass Kickstart provided each of the four students with a $250 gift certificate to the SMC bookstore in recognition of their efforts.
On April 23, 2026, Becky Moore and Jim Ward of Cass Kickstart to Careers met with the management team of Hydro Aluminum Metals USA. A presentation was given on the Kickstart program, including a review of 2025 accomplishments and opportunities as the first Kindergarten class enters middle school and soon high school. Hydro presented the board members with another $4,000 check to support students’ pursuit of post-secondary education.
* From left to right: Jim Ward, Rob Boven, Brandi Wixson, Lizzy Curran, Becky Moore, Craig Smith, Sheila Bergen, and Keith Bonner.
PBS Michiana – WNIT endorses Cass Kickstart to Careers which helps support positive student outcomes through financial literacy. Starting in kindergarten, students and families can make monthly deposits into children’s savings accounts that grow over time as students progress through high school. Learn more.
Cass Kickstart to Careers Awarded CEDAM Grant
CASSOPOLIS – Cass Kickstart to Careers has announced they’ve been awarded a grant from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan for their children’s savings account (CSA) program! Learn more.
Local Business Donors
Acrisure (Kemner-Iott Agency)
Cass District Library
Cass Family Clinic
Cassopolis Public Schools
Circle Federal Credit Union
Diamond Lake Association
Diamond Lake Golf Club
Diamond Lake Orchard
Dussel’s Farm Market & Greenhouses
Edward Lowe Foundation
Fedore Veterinary Services
Hardings Market
Hydro Aluminum
McDonald’s Cassopolis
Midwest Energy & Communications
Porky’s Party Place & Marathon
South Pork Catering Inc
Southwestern Michigan College
Underground Railroad Society of Cass County
United Presbyterian Church
On October 9 at the monthly board meeting of Cass Kickstart, Joannie Murray of the Diamond Lake Association presented a check for $1,500 to Margie Yarger, Board President.
Learn more.
KICKSTART MISSION
We’re building brighter futures, one student at a time. By investing early in Child Savings Accounts, Cass Kickstart to Careers empowers students and their families to build confidence, expand opportunities, and pursue the education or career that’s right for them, creating a stronger community for generations to come.
How the Program works
A deposit only, interest-bearing, $25 account is funded by Cass Kickstart to Careers and opened upon enrollment for each incoming Kindergarten student at Cassopolis Public Schools.
Students transferring into Cassopolis (in years after Kindergarten) will fully participate in the program with the exception of the initial $25 Kindergarten deposit.
Program Rules
Cass Kickstart Child Savings Accounts (CSA) are opened to help Cassopolis Public Schools (CPS) students save for college. A CSA account will be maintained automatically for the benefit of individual students enrolled in Kindergarten at Cassopolis Public Schools.
Cass Kickstart to Careers
P.O. Box 63
Cassopolis, MI 49031
Email: info@casskickstart.com
Testimonials
“The Cass Kickstart program is an incredible opportunity for our students at Sam Adams Elementary! Our students enjoy earning pennies to add to their piggy banks! Kickstart also provides incentives for students who earn the monthly Golden Ticket or the Kindness Award for their classroom each month! Students can save money for their future while being rewarded for their good behavior today. We are so thankful for the Kickstart board as well as all of the donors! Thank you for investing in our future!”
Tammi Preston, Principal
Sam Adams Elementary
Read Endorsement Letter.
“Laura and I are happy to support this program because it promotes early thinking about careers and educational attainment.
With 70% of jobs requiring some kind of post-secondary credential by 2030, this program is timely and will no doubt change the lives of many for the better.”
Dr. Joe Odenwald, President
Southwestern Michigan College
“What a great program! It’s amazing that a rural town like ours has Cass Kickstart to help our children save for college and learn financial literacy! It is nice to see that Kalamazoo isn’t the only community with a program to support education after high school for our youth.
Thank you for all that you do and I’d love to help in any way I can!”
Heather Boynton, Parent