Future Bound Miami
Future Bound Miami is a program that helps young children save money for their future education. It provides a children's savings account (CSA) to kindergarten students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). These accounts are free and long-term, and help kids prepare for college or other postsecondary education. In 2023, the Future Bound Miami program reached scale, establishing a CSA for all kindergarten students across the M-DCPS system.
While CSAs are becoming a popular savings tool across the country, Future Bound Miami is the first of its kind in Florida. At scale, it has the potential to be the largest CSA program in the country. This program better positions Miami-Dade County students to attain a postsecondary education and have greater earning potential.
“With time and intentionality, it will grow into an opportunity towards equity and access for young children who are often shut out of college and universities.”
- Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent
Facts and Figures
a. CSA programs improve early childhood development and academic performance.
b. CSA programs improve a child’s future financial capability and reduce the wealth gap.
c. Research shows that just the act of opening a savings account increases the chances of a child pursuing a postsecondary education. Among low-and-moderate income children, those with school savings of $1-$499 are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate. Among all youth expected to attend college, those with savings are six times more likely to enroll and graduate.
d. As of December 2018, CSA programs were serving 457,000 children in more than 34 states.
History
In 2017, Catalyst Miami, in partnership with Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, led a group of public and private organizations and community leaders to explore creating a CSA program for the children and families of Miami-Dade County. The team examined other CSA programs from across the country and researched various models to launch an initiative that would meet the needs of our county’s youth and their families.
With initial funding from Citi Community Development, The Children’s Trust and United Way of Miami-Dade, Future Bound Miami set out to invest in our community’s children by offering the first program of its kind in Florida. Now with more than a dozen partners, Future Bound Miami provides a tool for expanding educational and economic opportunities for our next generation.
News Links
Unique Universal Children’s Savings Accounts holds key to a more prosperous future for our students - The Miami Herald
Thousands of Miami kindergartners will now be eligible for savings accounts - WSVN
Miami Kindergartners Eligible For New Savings Accounts — And Up To $50 Deposits To Start - WLRN
First-Of-Its-Kind Children’s Savings Account Launches In Miami-Dade - CBS Miami
Niños de escuelas públicas de Miami recibirán una cuenta de ahorro de hasta $50 - Univision
Coast to Coast: Los Angeles and Miami Pave the Way With Two New CSA Programs - Prosperity Now
Other Links
Future Bound Miami website: www.futureboundmiami.org
Social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
CONTACT:
Chris Moreno, [email protected]