Every Senior to Receive $1,000 Investment Portfolio After Athens-Clarke County Community Raises $400,000+ to Unlock Matching Gift

The Clarke County School District today launched the second year of its partnership with national nonprofit Gifted Savings, giving approximately 800 high school seniors the opportunity to receive a real $1,000 investment portfolio alongside financial education — at no cost to students, families, or the school district.

When the program launched last year, CCSD, Gifted Savings, and the Athens-Clarke County community set out with an ambitious goal: to become the first community in America where every student graduates as an investor. One year later, 91% of participating seniors completed the program, and the community has rallied to give the next class the same opportunity. Local donors contributed more than $400,000, meeting a matching challenge from an anonymous donor and securing this year’s student portfolios. The effort was made possible in large part by presenting sponsor First American Bank & Trust, with the Gifted Savings Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation serving as a key vehicle for community giving.

“Last year, we embraced a bold vision - to give every CCSD senior the opportunity to graduate as an investor, and we saw firsthand what can happen when our schools and our community come together around our students,” said Dr. Jennifer Scott, Superintendent of the Clarke County School District. “This is about more than financial education — it’s about giving our students knowledge, confidence, and real resources they can carry with them beyond high school.”

First-year results showed meaningful changes in students’ financial knowledge, confidence, behaviors, and attitudes. By year’s end, nearly six times as many students rated their investing knowledge as high or very high (10% to 59%), while those “very or extremely likely” to consider compound interest more than doubled (25% to 54%). Independent researchers at the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences also found statistically significant improvements in everyday financial behaviors, including comparing prices, tracking spending, and having a bank account. Not a single metric measured showed a statistically significant decline.

“Having someone invest in my future made me realize that money is more than just spending it in the moment. It showed me that people believe in me and expect me to do something meaningful with the opportunities I’m given,” said Rachel, a 2026 Cedar Shoals High School graduate.

“Athens is showing what can happen when an entire community decides that young people shouldn’t just learn about investing, but should have the chance to become investors,” said Josh Landay, Executive Director of Gifted Savings. “We’re providing a spark that helps students imagine possibilities for their futures that may not have even been on their radar — and giving them real assets and knowledge to pursue those possibilities.”

Gifted Savings also partners with a public school district in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and next month will expand to two public high schools in Denver, Colorado, building on the lessons and results of its partnership with CCSD.

With this year’s class fully funded, the Athens community is now working to raise $800,000 for the Class of 2028. Community members can contribute through the Gifted Savings Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation. Because Gifted Savings’ operating costs are fully covered by a small group of patrons, 100% of every gift goes directly to student investment portfolios.