Written by JP Reyes
Empowerment Begins with Understanding
Around the world, education opens doors. According to Oxford Academic, it’s one of the most powerful predictors of future opportunity. But behind every thriving classroom is a solid financial foundation: managed budgets, tuition planning, and sustainable school operations. This is where financial literacy becomes not just a practical skill, but a tool for transformation and a moving testament to God’s work.
At Edify, the mission goes beyond providing educational resources. We’re here to empower school owners, students, and communities in underserved areas with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to build lasting, meaningful change. True empowerment begins with understanding and is fulfilled through faith and action.
Financial Literacy: The First Step to Growth
Financial literacy is often defined as the ability to understand and manage personal finances including budgeting, saving, and planning for the future. But in education, it becomes something even more powerful: a key to independence, stability, growth, and stewardship.
For school leaders, managing cash flow, expenses, and planning ahead is about more than keeping books balanced. It means paying teachers on time, keeping classrooms open, investing in resources, and expanding when the time is right. These skills build resilience and enable schools to better serve students.
For students, especially from low-income backgrounds, financial literacy can be life-changing. Understanding how to manage money, savings, and budgeting early on prepares them for future responsibilities like student loans and financial independence. These skills help them see opportunity differently and take ownership of their futures.
When Schools Thrive, Communities Grow
Edify’s approach to financial empowerment is practical and proactive. We recognize that education and financial empowerment go hand in hand. Through tailored financial literacy and school leadership programs, we help build a culture of financial responsibility and confidence.
Through training, school leaders learn how to read financial reports, create budgets, and make smart decisions regarding growth. When a school leader can confidently negotiate with a supplier or project revenue for the next term, they’re not just improving their operations, they’re protecting and enhancing learning for every student in their care.
Loan programs are paired with mentorship to ensure school leaders not only access capital, but also gain the knowledge to manage it wisely. These are the tools that create schools that last and leaders who inspire.
For students, Edify transforms financial literacy not by direct teaching, but through the ripple effect of school leaders and teachers passing on the knowledge they gained through training. Educators implement strong financial practices into their schools, allowing students to experience financial stability firsthand. This unique environment, where resources are managed effectively and sustainably, inspires students to internalize responsibility for financial management, impacting their personal and professional futures, and fostering a financially aware generation.
A Personal Reflection
During my internship at Edify, I’ve seen this mission in action. Working alongside the accounting team, I’ve helped track expenses, review reports, and support systems that bring clarity and trust to school operations. It’s been inspiring to realize that financial knowledge, something we often take for granted as Americans, can be a turning point in someone’s journey. Financial literacy doesn’t just help people get by; it helps them build something that lasts.
As I’ve reflected on the deeper meaning behind this work, I’ve come to realize something even more powerful: this is a piece of God’s work. And through His doing, I’ve come to see: when we place God at the center of our work, even small efforts can lead to lasting change.
This experience has shown me that financial literacy, especially when rooted in faith, isn’t just about getting by. It’s about building something that reflects God’s heart for sustainability, opportunity, and hope. We’re not just stewarding numbers, we’re stewarding impact.
References
Farquharson, Christine, et al. “Education Inequalities | Oxford Open Economics | Oxford Academic.” Oxford Academic , 14 July 2024,academic.oup.com/ooec/article/3/Supplement_1/i760/7708059
