2026-2028 Strategic Plan Overview

The 2026–2028 strategic plan is a systems strategy to measurably improve financial well-being for all through access, quality and impact of equitable K-12 and postsecondary financial education systems.

This framework positions NEFE to influence financial education as a coordinated system rather than a collection of isolated efforts. These initiatives align the field around shared goals, generate actionable evidence, strengthen educator support, expand learner access and build the infrastructure required to sustain progress.

This strategy does not simply call for systems change—it creates conditions that allow systems to thrive. As an independent national foundation with a long-standing commitment to evidence, collaboration and leadership, NEFE is uniquely positioned to help the financial education field mature, resulting in strengthening systems, knowledge and partnerships to ensure sustained impact.

The five strategic pillars are the coordinated drivers of that system: each plays a distinct role, none of which operates in isolation. Together, they translate NEFE’s north star into aligned action, so clarity of purpose, strength of evidence, quality of implementation, community activation and operational excellence reinforce one another over time.

• Improvement with Purpose ensures strong execution
• Research in Action builds evidence generation
• Elevating Effective Practice improves implementation quality
• Redefining Financial Education clarifies shared field priorities
• Building & Mobilizing Community accelerates field-wide adoption