CBM Credit Education Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation endowed by the proceeds from the sale of CBM Companies, Inc. credit-reporting assets that were donated to the Foundation in December 1999. From the monies invested, we distribute a portion of the earnings to non-profit organizations located primarily in, but not restricted to, Dane County , Wisconsin.
Our goal is to fund programs concentrating on financial literacy and emphasizing Credit Education and the wise use of consumer credit.
CBM Foundation's primary funding role is to provide program grants to non-profit organizations.
Program grants will support efforts to enhance financial literacy and consumer credit education by supporting new or existing programs.
Funding may be granted to train educators and other professionals to counsel consumers on the wise use of consumer credit and related consumer credit issues.
The CBM Credit Education Foundation's philosophy is to focus on increasing financial literacy and the wise use of consumer credit.
Primary Goal -- We prefer to fund educational programs that will make a difference in the financial health of families and individuals and/or provide increased community capacity to support families and individuals.
The Foundation may, on its own, seek out needs and opportunities for credit education matching the need with a qualified provider and underwriting the project.
Seconday Goal -- CBM Foundation provides an annual allocation to the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, National Foundation for Consumer Credit and Merchants Research Council to support the development of programs and educational materials. Annual support is also provided to support the programs of the Credit Research Center.
Organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible for funding from the CBM Credit Education Foundation:
The Foundation anticipates receiving more requests than it can support, this means that our Board of Directors must carefully consider merit and potential impact when making funding decisions. We generally favor programs that:
When evaluating applications and establishing priorities, the Board will give particular consideration to the following:
Generally, grants are not made for:
Generally, funding falls into one of these categories:
We anticipate most grants to average $15,000 with occasional larger grants averaging $50,000. The Foundation reserves the right to offer funding at a level lower than that requested.
The Foundation is open to review requests for significant funding that we feel answer our mission and purpose.
Grant recipients will be required to provide a written report at least semi-annually, or at the conclusion of their project, if less time is involved, outlining their progress, documenting use of funds, and providing measurable results where ever possible.
Completed proposals should be in the Foundation office prior to December I, March lor September 1. Grant decisions will be made at the January, April or October Board of Directors Meetings respectively.
Grant seekers are encouraged to contact the Foundation office for guidance before submitting a request.
Written grant requests/proposals must be presented in an easy to follow format and include as much detail as possible (we may request additional information). Information provided should include but not be limited to the following:
Requests should be submitted in five (5) copies and either mailed or delivered in person to the Foundation office. Personal delivery will enable us to visit briefly about the request if necessary.
Proposals received by facsimile or electronic mail will not be accepted.
For additional information about submitting a request, call the CBM Credit Education Foundation at (608) 663-5000.