The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and United Way Worldwide have announced twelve grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to extend the reach of community-based financial education programs across the country.

Awarded by the FINRA Foundation as part of its new Financial Education in Your Community Program, which the United Way administers, the grants include $103,510 to Appalachian Community Enterprises to provide, in partnership with the local Head Start program, basic money management workshops for low-income families in Georgia; $50,000 to Four Bands Community Fund in support of a partnership with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Black Hills to provide credit repair and other financial education for staff members at twelve community organizations; and $150,000 to the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to expand the one-on-one budget coaching program offered by the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative.

"United Way is committed to helping working individuals and families overcome the financial hardships caused by today's difficult economic conditions," said United Way Worldwide president and CEO Brian Gallagher. "We are pleased to partner with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to bring critical financial education resources to underserved communities and help families start down the path toward financial independence."