Chase Donates $50,000 Grant to Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, Funding Programs for Delaware’s Youth

WILMINGTON, Del. - Chase Card Services, the credit card division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., has announced it is awarding a $50,000 grant to the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute at an event including Delaware State Treasurer Jack Markell, Institute founder and president of the Board of Directors. The $50,000 grant is preceded by a $30,000 grant recently given to the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

The $50,000 grant is part of an overall $1.3 million Chase is donating per year for three years to multiple organizations across the United States through its new Financial Literacy Grant Program. The grants are being awarded as those around the country prepare for National Financial Literacy Month taking place in April.

The $30,000 and $50,000 donations from Chase will fund two financial literacy programs for Delaware’s youth. Chase is awarding the $50,000 grant to the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute through its Financial Literacy Grant Program to create a new financial literacy program for high school students. The $30,000 grant from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation announced recently will fund a week-long entrepreneurship camp – called “Chasing the Dream” – to teach middle school students about how to launch and manage their own businesses. The Delaware Financial Literacy Institute will also host a training program for adults focused on starting entrepreneurship camps at their schools or community centers as a part of this program.

Chase has a history of funding programs to increase financial literacy in Delaware through the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute. In 2005, Chase began funding Money Talk$, the Institute’s quarterly newsletter that provides lesson plans for parents and teachers on a wide range of financial topics. The JPMorgan Chase Foundation continued its support in 2006 with a $36,000 grant to help fund the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute’s Entrepreneurship Summer Camp and to support the Money Talk$ Newsletter. The purpose of the newsletter is to stimulate dialogue about finances, especially with teachers, by providing activities in the schools to cover financial education topics.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Chase to bring these important financial education programs to our local youth,” said Ronni Cohen, executive director, Delaware Financial Literacy Institute. “Chase’s contribution will help make a real difference in promoting financial responsibility among young people.”

“Chase has a long-standing commitment to help consumers with financial planning and education,” said Jeff Courtney, senior vice president, Customer Support Division, Chase Card Services. “Our Financial Literacy Grant Program is designed to make a positive impact with youth to encourage a lifetime of financial health.”

Chase’s Financial Literacy Grant Program is in its second year. Chase provided $1.3 million in funding in 2006, which is followed by $1.3 million in funding this year and an additional $1.3 million in 2008. The new nationwide program is part of Chase’s multi-million dollar commitment to supporting financial literacy for people of all ages.