MassMutual Foundation, Washington Wizards, and EVERFI Team Up to Bring FutureSmart Challenge to Nearly 2,000 DC-area Students

Washington, D.C. – January 9, 2020 – The MassMutual Foundation, Washington Wizards, and EVERFI, Inc., the leading social impact education innovator, today hosted nearly 2,000 middle school students from across the greater Washington area at Capital One Arena for the FutureSmart Challenge. The culmination of in-classroom learning is part of the MassMutual Foundation’s FutureSmart program. The FutureSmart Challenge is an interactive event that reinforces financial literacy and money management skills in an engaging environment.  

Today’s event featured an opportunity to hear from award-winning actor and best-selling author Hill Harper, who discussed the importance of smart money management, why higher education is essential to future financial success, and the difference between “smart money” and “dumb money.” Washington Wizards legend Gheorghe Mureșan, The 202 Crew Dunk Team, and the Wizards Dance Team were also in attendance to entertain the students throughout the event. Washington is the first stop on the 2019-2020 multi-city tour of MassMutual Foundation’s FutureSmart Challenge.

“Bringing financial concepts to life in an interactive and engaging manner like we do with the FutureSmart Challenge, and engaging directly with the students who take our course, is some of our most important work as we strive to help build stronger, more financially sound communities around the country,” said Dennis Duquette, president, MassMutual Foundation. “We know that financial education is key to a successful future and FutureSmart is more than just a digital course or educational curriculum, it’s an experience that helps prepare young people to make smart life choices and build good financial habits early on.”  

Since 2014, more than 1.7 million students have benefited from the FutureSmart program, a nationwide initiative that brings critical financial education to middle school students — providing them the opportunity to learn about smart educational and financial choices. An online education program for students delivered by EVERFI in schools across the U.S., the program is on track to reach 2 million students nationwide before the end of the 2019-20 school year. 

“Only 32 percent of high school students feel prepared to check and understand credit scores so the chance to educate students on financial education while still in middle school – an important time for positive habits to take form and grow – is key to future success,” said Ray Martinez, co-founder and president, Financial Education, EVERFI. “Being able to provide educators with a digital platform that meets students where they are in a manner that is engaging to them is so important but it’s really exciting for us to see strategic partners like MassMutual bring the curriculum to life outside the classroom as well.” 

The FutureSmart program has had a major impact on students in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

• Across the D.C., MD, and VA regions, more than 137,000 students have engaged in the FutureSmart program. 
• On average, there has been an increase of 75 percent on students’ scores about financial literacy after program completion. 
• Additionally, an average of 88 percent of local FutureSmart students talked to their parents about financial decisions after taking the course. 

“We are proud to partner with MassMutual to bring a fantastic event to the youth of Greater Washington,” said Patrick Duffy, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships. “The Wizards are committed to being a leader within the community and we are excited to deliver a fantastic education-based program at Capital One Arena.”

For more information on the FutureSmart Program, please visit the website here: https://futuresmart.massmutual.com/.