Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana is bringing financial literacy and investment education to students through its new Stock Market Program. Eighth grade students research stocks, with each class receiving $3,000 to invest. Classes earn a 2 percent management fee for their work and the chance to win prizes by competing with other classes to see whose portfolios perform the best.
The program, launched this fall, is modeled after the Big Shoulders Fund Stock Market Program in Chicago, which began 16 years ago and is now taught in 61 network schools. The NWI initiative is currently being piloted at St. John the Baptist in Whiting, St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point, and Notre Dame Catholic School in Michigan City. More than 50 students are participating and learning the fundamentals of investing, economic trends, and the power of long-term financial planning. By engaging students in real-world financial scenarios, the program aims to equip them with valuable skills that will serve them well into adulthood.
The program was developed in partnership with financial professionals and educators, and provides hands-on experience through simulated stock trading, interactive lessons, and mentorship from industry experts. One such mentor is Curt Bowers, vice president of commercial, healthcare, and nonprofit banking at Wintrust Indiana, and a member of the Big Shoulders Fund Founders Advisory Council. “It’s been incredible to see young minds light up as they learn how the stock market works. The students are engaged, asking insightful questions, and gaining confidence in financial decision-making,” he said.
Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana hopes to expand the Stock Market Program to additional schools in the region. Through this initiative, we continue our commitment to fostering academic enrichment and career readiness for students in underserved communities. The Stock Market Program not only teaches financial literacy, but also encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and an entrepreneurial mindset. By introducing investment principles at an early age, the program helps students build a foundation for future financial success and economic empowerment.
