COMMUNITY REPORT
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! With support from CEDAM, Cass Kickstart to Careers will be able to enhance their impact and accessibility, which will support over 500 Cassopolis students when the new school year begins next month in pursuing the postsecondary pathway of their choosing
Michigan’s CSA programs are community-led initiatives that establish community-wide support systems to encourage students, their families, and entire communities to dream big. CSA programs engage students and their families early on by enrolling them in a community-based savings or investment account where students and their families are encouraged to save and plan for the future. These funds go on to provide financial support for students’ endeavors after high school (whether that’s college, a trade school, career training, or another form of schooling). As part of the Michigan CSA Network, these programs are located throughout the state and are often implemented in partnership with school districts, local financial institutions, and other community-based organizations.
CEDAM’s Innovation and Sustainability grant is specifically to support organizations with established CSA programs in strengthening their long-term sustainability and impact. This means innovative approaches or projects that address immediate and long-term needs to ensure a CSA program remains accessible, effective, and financially sustainable. With this funding, Cass Kickstart to Careers plans to procure and implement a software tool for account and student/parent communication.
“Cass Kickstart is excited to receive this grant funding from CEDAM,” shared board treasurer Becky Moore. “The grant will provide for the purchase, training, and transition of data from Excel worksheets into the Foundant C Suite software. The 2025-26 school year brings us up to 8 cohorts, including Transitional Kindergarten through 6th grade. Accounting for over 500 students and their regular deposits and rewards has become cumbersome at best. The software will also provide us with communication tools for our students and parents. Once the transition is complete, additional financial education and literacy initiatives will be added to the portal for parent and student access as well.”
Cass Kickstart to Careers was organized to create, promote, support, and fund child savings accounts for students of the Cassopolis Public Schools. They work in conjunction with the schools to provide an environment that sends a message to all students that they have the potential and support needed for academic success and economic mobility. Children’s savings accounts are long-term, incentivized savings accounts that provide our children with a pathway toward long-term educational attainment and economic empowerment. Run by a volunteer board, Cass Kickstart partners with other local organizations including Circle Federal Credit Union and Southwestern Michigan College. Several area businesses and individuals have made a five-year financial pledge to Cass Kickstart.
If you or your business would like to become a proud supporter of Cass Kickstart, you can contact a board member at casskickstart@gmail.com. Additional information can be found on our website at www.casskickstart.com.
Recent Comments