Leveraging the financial expertise of its bankers and its partnerships with local nonprofits focused on financial education, the Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program this year provides $1.4 million in donations to 80 nonprofits and volunteer outreach by more than 400 trained Citizens colleagues.

Citizens has launched a new Financial Fundamentals hub on its website (www.content.citizensbank.com/financialfundamentals) to provide consumers with information on budgeting and saving, home ownership, protecting identity, and more. The bank is also inviting those interested in learning more about money management to join a "Make It Count" challenge on its Facebook page throughout the month of April to learn and share tips about topics such as goal-setting, saving, and managing credit.

Nonprofit organizations from across the bank's 11-state footprint were chosen in a competitive application process based on their track record of success providing financial education programs, clear and measurable goals for the program, and the ability to incorporate sustainability in their program plans.

The funding recipients, 10 in Philadelphia area and one in South Jersey, and how the money will be used:

• Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA of Camden) - to support the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program to empower individuals to create a business that will support them and their families.
• Clarifi - to deliver high-impact financial capability services, consisting of one-on-one counseling, group education workshops, and online education videos.
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey - to offer financial stability programs that help low-income workers manage expenses, reduce debt and increase their savings.
• The Enterprise Center - to provide financial literacy development to small business owners to meet the needs of disadvantaged minority entrepreneurs.
• Urban Affairs Coalition - to support Financial Advancement Network Clubs, combining traditional education with peer group support.
• Entrepreneur Works Fund - to empower small business owners to start and grow microenterprises in Greater Philadelphia.
• Finanta - to build, improve, and stabilize the financial well-being of individuals, families, and businesses through credit-building education, coaching, and group workshops.
• West End Neighborhood House - to support the $tand By Me program, enabling individuals to achieve economic advancement and stability.
• Nueva Esperanza - to support the Housing & Financial Literacy Project to strengthen low-income communities through bilingual housing counseling services and financial literacy.
• Junior Achievement of New Jersey - to support the 2017 Citizens Bank JA Day to bring financial education to students annually.
• Chester County Improvement Project - to equip families with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their financial skills and education.

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Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money is part of the bank's broader Citizens Helping Citizens program, which addresses four key areas: hunger, economic development, financial education and volunteerism. For additional information on Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money, visit Citizens' website.

This item submitted by Kareen Preble, Bellevue Communications Group, for Citizens Bank.

Source: www.nj.com