Annual awards are part of Treasurer Steiner’s initiative to improve financial inclusion and financial fitness statewide

Across Oregon, dedicated educators and community leaders are helping people build the knowledge and confidence to manage money, protect themselves, and work toward greater financial security. The Oregon Financial Empowerment Awards exist to recognize and celebrate these financial education and wellness champions.

Nominations take just a few minutes to complete and must be submitted by March 1 through the Oregon State Treasury website.

“Every Oregonian deserves an opportunity to get ahead and to be more financially healthy,” Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner, MD, said. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize standout educators and community champions in Oregon who help our kids and our families on their paths toward financial security.”

Treasurer Steiner encourages Oregonians to nominate educators and organizations who are making a meaningful difference in their communities. Recognizing this work helps elevate effective approaches to financial education and highlights the people and organizations strengthening financial wellness across the state. The annual awards are part of Treasurer Steiner’s initiative to improve financial inclusion and financial fitness statewide.

The 2026 award honorees will be recognized in April as part of Financial Literacy Month.

Award recipients are selected and honored by the Oregon Financial Empowerment Advisory Team, a public-private partnership chaired by the Treasurer that works to advance financial literacy and financial wellness statewide.

Financial Educator Award

This award recognizes educators and/or administrators who have gone above and beyond to make financial literacy education more accessible, relevant, and engaging—helping students make informed money decisions now and in the future.The honoree receives $1,500, their school receives an additional $500, and students at the school share $500 in scholarships from Embark, formerly known as the Oregon College Savings Plan.

Financial Empowerment Community Champion Award

This award recognizes an organization, association, business, or education enterprise that is making a positive impact on financial wellness and empowerment for Oregonians.The champion organization receives $2,000 and may “Pay It Forward” by designating another financial empowerment–focused organization or effort to receive $500.

Nominations are open now and close March 1, 2026. Take a few minutes to recognize the educators and community champions helping Oregonians thrive financially and shaping a more financially secure future for our state.

Past honorees reflect the wide range of educators and organizations working to strengthen financial knowledge and opportunity across Oregon. The 2025 awards recognized a Central Oregon high school teacher and a Portland-based nonprofit for their leadership and commitment to financial empowerment.

The 2025 Financial Empowerment Educator of the Year, Bekki Tucker of Caldera High School in Bend, was honored for developing personal finance curricula for the Bend–La Pine School District and for contributing to statewide guidelines supporting Oregon’s new personal finance graduation requirement.

The 2025 Financial Empowerment Community Champion, UPLIFT Leadership of Portland, was recognized for empowering teens through career exploration, employment skills, and practical budgeting knowledge—helping young people better understand job market realities and prepare for their financial futures.

Questions about submitting your nominations or the awards? Contact us at Financial Empowerment.