Savings for Success is a program of YWCA Evanston/North Shore and the Evanston Community Foundation that provides families with a way to work together to save for their children’s futures. It’s a rewards and savings program designed to make post-high school education more accessible and achievable for all District 65 students – starting in kindergarten, including 1st grade and 6th grade.

By providing upfront funding for every eligible student, tools and information for families to develop their own post high school savings plans, and a way for the entire community to invest in their children, the Savings for Success Program enables all of us to work together to build assets and support expectations of educational and economic success for every child.

Why start saving now?

Job training or college can cost a lot. No matter what your child wants to be when they grow up, you can help them reach their goal…starting now.

Why is YWCA Evanston/North Shore offering this program?

Research shows that investing any amount into a children’s savings account can dramatically increase a child's expectations for education and training after high school because they know that their family and community care about their future.*

Who can participate?

All District 65 kindergarten students, 1st graders, and 6th graders are eligible starting in Fall 2024.

Receive up to $200 in your first year!

$50 will automatically be deposited into your Savings for Success account after you enroll in the S4S program and open an Illinois Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan account for your child

An additional one-time deposit of $50 will be added to the accounts of families who qualify for free and reduced lunch

Receive a dollar-for-dollar savings match of up to $50 in the first year of enrollment

Get additional funding up to $50 for participating in the Savings for Success Walk Into Your Future event in Spring 2024 and other YWCA financial wellness workshops that take place throughout the year

*According to the Institute for Higher Education Policy and Prosperity Now, children with college savings of just $1-$499 are 3x more likely to attend college, and 4x more likely to graduate.

**This is in partnership with Evanston-Skokie School District 65, Evanston Cradle 2 Career and the Evanston Community Foundation.

QUESTIONS...? CONTACT:

Kristin Drake, Economic Advancement Director

kdrake@ywca-ens.org

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