PwC Programs Help Provide Financial Literacy Skills and Resources to Students and Teachers

NEW YORK, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of PwC's Earn Your Future, The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. today announced the winner of PwC's High School Business Challenge while PwC US announced the winner of its Financial Literacy Award and its continued support of the MIND Research Institute. Through these programs and others, the US firm and the PwC Foundation are working to help strengthen financial literacy among young people and financial training opportunities for teachers.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100917/NY66894LOGO)

The winner of the High School Business Challenge, Riverview High School in Riverview, FL, received $40,000 from The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. to enhance financial education within its curricula and programs. The Riverview team developed a comprehensive business plan for a fictitious music label, Cut Above, which was designed by the winning team to improve the world one fan at a time by focusing on promoting upcoming artists who are driven by an agenda of social consciousness and environmental awareness. School of Biotechnology, Health and Public Administration at Olympic Community of Schools in Charlotte, NC, was recognized by the PwC Charitable Foundation as the runner-up for a business plan the school's team developed to promote Korean pop artists in the American music industry.

The winner of PwC's Financial Literacy Award, Kathy Focht of Wilson High School in West Lawn, PA, received $5,000 for her school as a result of her video submission which showed highlights from a curricula that taught students about home mortgages, interest rates and how to save money on mortgage payments. Honorable-mention recipients Maggie Wohltmann of Teaneck High School in Teaneck, NJ, and Kim Zocco of Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, FL, each received $2,500 from PwC for their schools for their submissions that focused on teaching students how to analyze a budget and save money, respectively.

"Through programs like these, PwC is making a tangible impact in our nation's classrooms," said Shannon Schuyler, PwC's US Corporate Responsibility Leader and Officer on the Board of the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. "By leveraging the skills of our people, PwC's Earn Your Future has reached more than 5,800 educators and 393,000 students to date. I'm inspired by the individual stories of learning among teachers and students and honored to recognize those who are making a difference."

About PwC's High School Business Challenge and PwC's Financial Literacy Award
During PwC's High School Business Challenge, PwC mentors worked directly with teachers and students to bring core business concepts to life in the classroom. Student teams used skills introduced in the lesson plans by teachers and mentors—including budgeting, financial planning and market research—to create business plans. More than 71 student teams across 14 high schools participated in the challenge. All participating schools across PwC markets received grants from the PwC Charitable Foundation to grow or enhance their business programs.

PwC's Financial Literacy Award, formally launched at the inaugural PwC and KWHS Seminar for High School Educators on Business and Financial Responsibility, recognizes the achievements that educators make in preparing students to make responsible financial decisions and contribute to a healthier economy. Teachers were asked to create a video showcasing how they are teaching financial literacy and how their students are using it in the real world. The winning videos can be viewed online.

PwC Announces Continued Support of the MIND Research Institute
PwC US will also expand its work with the MIND Research Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to improving math education and closing the math achievement gap. Schools using MIND's research-based ST Math visual learning program have, on average, doubled their growth in math proficiency, according to MIND. PwC is continuing its support with a new $300,000 grant, which will fund professional development for more than 950 teachers at 161 elementary schools and support MIND's innovative, visual math-education programs to six new markets: Baltimore, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC. In those areas, the grant will also help provide an additional 73,000 students access to the program during the 2012-2013 school year. PwC partners and staff will continue to volunteer in MIND's schools as part of the firm's ongoing support.

"This grant gives thousands of disadvantaged students in low-performing urban schools across the country access to a truly 21^st century learning environment," said Andrew R. Coulson, President of MIND Research Institute's Education Division. "What students gain in math skills and financial literacy is just the beginning.  Their lives can literally change through experiencing academic success, gaining confidence in their abilities, and being prepared to excel in high-demand hi-tech careers."

Announced in June 2012, PwC's Earn Your Future is a youth education commitment focused on financial literacy comprising $60 million in cash donations and one million service hours that aims to impact more than 2.5 million students and educators over the next five years.

For more information on PwC's Earn Your Future and the firm's corporate responsibility commitment, click here, or follow us on Twitter at @Shannon_Sustain.

About PwC US
PwC US helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a member of the PwC network of firms in 158 countries with more than 180,000 people. We're committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US.

Learn more about PwC by following us online: @PwC_LLP, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google +.

© 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

About The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.
The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., a section 501(c)(3) organization, makes contributions to the people of PwC in times of financial hardship, and to nonprofit organizations that support and promote education and humanitarianism.

 

SOURCE PwC US