Early Investment, Lasting Impact: Brilliant Futures Students Head Back to School

As the new school year begins, we're celebrating the return of our Brilliant Futures students at Jackson Road Elementary in Montgomery County and Bradbury Heights Elementary in Prince George's County. These young scholars, representing the Class of 2036 (now 2nd graders), the Class of 2037 (now 1st graders), and the Class of 2038 (now Kindergarteners), are embarking on another year of comprehensive learning designed to set them up for long-term success.

Launched in 2024, Brilliant Futures is a children’s savings pilot program that provides students with up to $1,000 in savings each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. Upon graduating (or an equivalent), students enrolled in Brilliant Futures can put their savings toward ongoing education and training or to pursue other income- or wealth-generating opportunities, such as buying a home or starting a business. Our goal is that, upon completing high school, each student will have access to at least $13,000 that they can use to seed their future aspirations — whatever those aspirations may be.

Learning That Goes Beyond the Basics

As our Brilliant Futures scholars head back to the classroom, we asked their teachers to share what they will be learning over the next 9 months. Here are a few fun snapshots from the classrooms.

• In reading, students will work with stories and books that help them not only sound out words but also learn fascinating facts about the world around them.

• In math, students will explore numbers, shapes, and problem. They'll learn addition, subtraction, understanding place value, measuring objects, and identifying shapes—all through methods that make math feel approachable and fun.

• Science will be anything but boring as students become little scientists and engineers. They'll learn about space, the human body, plants, weather, and more through experiments and projects.

• In Social studies, students will explore the world they live in through geography and maps. They’ll also learn about different cultures and traditions and how they can become successful future members and leaders of their community.

Supporting Whole Families Through Financial Empowerment

Recognizing that a child's educational success is deeply connected to their family's financial stability, we're now offering comprehensive financial coaching services to participating families through partnerships with TrustPlus and the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC).

These services provide participating families with access to a wide range of financial coaching services to meet their long-term goals, including credit counseling, budgeting support, debt reduction planning, guidance on how to set-up and manage savings accounts – including 529s - and other support with financial goal-setting.

Families will have access to services in their preferred language (including English, Spanish, Amharic, French, and others) and can choose between virtual coaching through TrustPlus or in-person sessions with LEDC depending on their comfort level or personal preference. The coaching is designed to be non-judgmental and tailored to each family's unique circumstances, whether they're working with traditional employment, disability benefits, or other forms of income.

Building Economic Mobility for the Future

The Brilliant Futures program continues to demonstrate our commitment to breaking cycles of economic inequality. By combining the economic potential of children’s savings accounts with access to individualized financial coaching, we're creating a comprehensive approach to economic mobility that addresses both immediate needs and long-term financial wellness goals for the families we serve.

We are excited to expand these financial coaching services to other Community Foundation programs, including Thrive Prince George's, ensuring that more families across our region have access to these crucial resources.

Looking Ahead

As our Brilliant Futures students settle into their classrooms this fall, they're not just beginning another school year, they're continuing a journey toward educational excellence and economic empowerment that will serve them and their families for generations to come. With rigorous academics, family support services, and the power of early investment in their education, these young scholars are truly building brilliant futures for themselves and their communities.

The combination of high-quality education and comprehensive family support services represents our belief that every child deserves not just access to excellent schooling, but also the stable financial foundation that makes learning possible. As we watch these students grow and thrive, we're reminded that investing in education is investing in our community's shared prosperity.

Learn more about the Brilliant Futures program and how you can support educational equity in our region at thecommunityfoundation.org/brilliant-futures.