NEW YORK – October 4, 2022 – FS Investments was recently honored in the category of Corporate Social Responsibility at the WealthManagement.com 2022 Industry Awards for its Philadelphia Financial Scholars program, which aims to improve financial literacy for local students. Since its creation by the FS Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships in 2016, the program has expanded to 15 schools, both public and charter, across the greater Philadelphia region.
Recognizing a critical gap in financial literacy for rising generations, Philadelphia Financial Scholars takes a holistic approach to enhancing personal finance education. The program begins in the classroom, where teachers are provided resources to educate students on budgeting, saving and making smart financial decisions. The second program, the entrepreneurship incubator, offers an entrepreneurship-focused after-school program to teach students how they can develop a business plan and think creatively, to help inspire future career paths. This extracurricular program is offered by FS Investments and Wharton business school student volunteers. The third prong of the program is for financial literacy at home–where parents, caretakers and community members are provided education around saving and investing.
“When you have this big gap in knowledge and understanding, it is very difficult to feel empowered to make smart financial decisions…Addressing that knowledge gap with our program is a key part of that equation.”
– Kerry Woodward, Executive Director, Philadelphia Financial Scholars
FS Investments was honored to be recognized for this program at the WealthMangement.com Awards Gala, also known as the “Wealthies,” an ever-growing event that reached a record number of submissions this year. The judging panel received and reviewed nearly 1,000 entries from more than 350 companies, according to Bill O’Conor, Managing Director at WealthManagement.com.
“The icing on the cake was the opportunity to represent our firm in winning the Corporate Social Responsibility award. That, right there, represents the FS Investments culture, and to see us get recognized for our inclusive and philanthropic efforts made the time that much more special,” said Mia Prantil, Sales Analyst, FS Investments, of her experience attending the “Wealthies.”
Community, colleagues and clients comprise the three cultural pillars at FS Investments. Receiving industry recognition solidifies the valuable impact that FS Investments’ community focus is making across the region. The firm’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mike Gerber, is Chair of the Board of Philadelphia Financial Scholars, which is made up of 18 representatives from financial firms and schools in the Philly area. Sponsors such as Hamilton Lane, Clark Capital and Macquarie Asset Management continue to support the efforts of Philadelphia Financial Scholars. FS Investments recognizes the team effort required to create meaningful change and is excited for what’s to come.
- To learn more about Philadelphia Financial Scholars, visit their website: https://philadelphia.financialscholars.org/about/
- Read about Philadelphia Financial Scholars receiving the Next Gen Personal Finance Grant in the Philly Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-financial-scholars-jordan-brand-michael-jordan-next-gen-finance-20220923.html