TD awards second $25,000 financial literacy grant to Vermont State Colleges

Vermont Business Magazine Today the Vermont State Colleges System received a grant of $25,000 from the TD Bank Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, to fund financial literacy education at each of its colleges and universities. The grant continues TD Bank Charitable Foundation's previous support for financial literacy activities within peer mentoring programs at Northern Vermont University, Castleton University, the Community College of Vermont and Vermont Technical College.

Phil Daniels, TD Bank Market President for Vermont and Update New York, presented the check to Vermont State Colleges' Chancellor Jeb Spaulding at the Community College of Vermont in Winooski on Monday. In 2016, the TD Bank Charitable Foundation provided a $25,000 grant to get the program off the ground.

"The financial literacy education supported by TD Bank Charitable Foundation will enable students at Vermont State Colleges to better manage their budgets and make more informed financial decisions," observed Daniels.

From Left – Heather Weinstein, Dean of Students, Community College of Vermont, Krishna, student, Community College of Vermont, Jeb Spaulding, Chancellor, Vermont State Colleges System, Phil Daniels, TD Bank Market President for Vermont and Update New York, Churchill Hindes, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Vermont State Colleges System

Over the past year, VSCS peer mentors and student support staff reached over 500 students with financial literacy education. Each college has developed a program suited to their students’ needs, and each shares the same objectives, which are to help students better understand and navigate college financing, learn budgeting skills, and build confidence in financial decision-making.

Some of the activities funded in the previous grant include peer-led financial literacy workshops, financial reality games, financial literacy competitions, stipends for peer financial literacy tutors, among others. Student support staff collaborate among the four colleges on best practices and good ideas for their programs.

“Smart and confident financial planning can make a difference in whether or not students complete their degrees, complete them on time, and set themselves up for success after college,” said Chancellor Spaulding. “We are grateful for TD Bank’s support for the good work our colleges are doing to support students with financial literacy education.”

A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank® and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.

About the TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to support, respect and improve the quality of life in the diverse communities where we live and do business. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed more than $174.1 million and more than 17,000 grants in charitable donations from Maine to Florida. The TD Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting the following community needs: affordable housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, financial literacy, and human services. Recently, more than 90 percent of the grants awarded by the Foundation benefited low-and moderate- income communities and individuals. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at www.TDBank.com.

About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com.

About the Vermont State Colleges System

For the benefit of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges system provides affordable, high quality, student-centered, and accessible education, fully integrating professional, liberal, and career study, consistent with student aspirations and regional and state needs. The system comprises Castleton University, the Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. Visit www.vsc.edu for more information.

Source: VSCS 4.9.2018