Understand your role as a volunteer.

Money Mentors community volunteers build financial capacity in our local communities by providing financial education and coaching to individuals. Mentoring consists of working one-on-one with people who have asked for help with their personal finances as well as community outreach through displays, community talks, or other projects.

Training Requirements

Money Mentors volunteers receive approximately 30 hours of training in money management, financial mentoring, and community resources. Opportunities are provided during training to apply financial knowledge to case examples and to practice mentoring skills. An application, interview, and background check are required before being admitted into the program.

Time Required

Following the training, each volunteer agrees to complete 30 volunteer hours annually in financial mentoring and community outreach. During the year, 12 hours of continuing education is also expected. Money Mentors meet monthly for continuing education training as well as planning projects.

Cost

A one-time $40 fee helps cover training and material costs. Partial scholarships available if needed.

Location

Serve where you live and/or work. Currently Money Mentors volunteer training is available to people in Champaign, DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Livingston, McLean, Vermilion, Will, and Woodford counties.

Resources Available

Money Mentors volunteers work with University of Illinois Extension staff at local Extension offices.  Mentors are provided with research-based educational materials to use while mentoring.

Qualifications

• Good communication and interpersonal skills,
• Age 18 or older,
• Ability to work with individuals in a respectful and non-judgmental manner,
• Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and trust,
• Access to a telephone or email and transportation or online services, and
• Commitment to follow University of Illinois Extension's research-based financial education strategies and recommendations.

Benefits

• Receive University of Illinois Extension Money Mentors certificate of training completion,
• Become a member of a working team promoting increased financial capacity,
• Receive up-to-date training and materials on financial management for personal use,
• Learn and build financial management and coaching skills, and
• Gain volunteer work experience and help others.