SIFMA and the SIFMA Foundation today launched the annual Capitol Hill Challenge (CHC), a hallmark national competition supported by Charles Schwab Foundation that continues to be a cornerstone of promoting financial education, touching the lives of thousands of students in high-needs schools across the country.
Started more than 20 years ago, the Capitol Hill Challenge stands out for its unique approach by pairing members of Congress with up to two public schools in their congressional districts. In addition to imparting financial knowledge, CHC fosters mentorship, encourages civic engagement, cultivates community ties, and creates opportunities for lifelong financial empowerment. Students not only learn the essentials of saving and investing, but also gain invaluable insights into the workings of government and the importance of active citizenship. Over the past decade, schools in every congressional district, representing 100% of Congress, have participated in the program. The schools participating in the CHC are Title I Schoolwide or Community Eligible Provision schools.
“We’re pleased to kick off the 2025 Capitol Hill Challenge, a program that highlights the power of education, mentorship, and cross-sector engagement,” said Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., SIFMA President & CEO. “Our industry is committed to helping students learn the importance of saving and investing early in life, while also providing them a solid foundation to achieve their future financial goals. With the generous support of Charles Schwab Foundation, we are not only teaching financial capability—we are building stronger communities and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential.”
Recognizing the transformative impact of the Capitol Hill Challenge and the broader mission of youth financial education, Charles Schwab Foundation generously pledged a 3-year, $1.2 million grant to the SIFMA Foundation in 2024. In addition, Charles Schwab Foundation committed to scaling the SIFMA Foundation’s impact by supporting a number of technological and programmatic enhancements that will help reach thousands of additional students. This significant contribution underscores a shared vision: empowering every student, regardless of background, with the tools and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
“Charles Schwab Foundation’s commitment to the Capitol Hill Challenge and SIFMA Foundation extends our mission to empower people through financial education so everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial well-being,” said Lisa Hunt, director, Charles Schwab Foundation board of directors; managing director, head of International Services for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; and vice chair, SIFMA Foundation board of directors. “The benefits of youth financial education extend far beyond the classroom. By equipping students with fundamental financial skills, we are nurturing a generation capable of making informed decisions, managing resources effectively, and planning for a secure future, which can help them achieve their financial dreams and benefit all of society.”
CHC student teams manage a hypothetical $100,000 online portfolio of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, impact investments, and cash, and learn integral workplace skills such as collaboration and critical thinking. At the end of the competition, the top 10 performing school teams are recognized at a reception and meetings with Representatives and Senators in Washington, D.C., in June 2025.
“Financial education is a catalyst for change, opening doors and creating opportunities that span generations,” said Melanie Mortimer, president of the SIFMA Foundation. “The Capitol Hill Challenge is a testament to what we can achieve together—educators, policymakers, and community leaders. For years, we have teamed up with US Senators and Representatives, SIFMA, and Charles Schwab Foundation to achieve this vision by ensuring students navigate the financial markets and understand the power of saving, investing, and wealth-building opportunities in their lives. We extend our deepest gratitude to Charles Schwab Foundation for their unwavering commitment to youth financial empowerment and community development.”
The Capitol Hill Challenge features the SIFMA Foundation’s acclaimed Stock Market Game™, an online, curriculum-based financial education program that reaches more than 700,000 students annually – either virtually or in the classroom – and gives students a better understanding of fiscal policymaking, capital markets, and global economic trends. It is proven to advance students’ performance on math and economics tests and improves students’ and teachers’ personal financial behavior.
Since the Capitol Hill Challenge began in 2004, the program has coordinated over 8,000 matches of U.S. Representatives and Senators with schools, reaching nearly 175,000 middle and high school students from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. For more details and to view updates about this year’s program, visit the Capitol Hill Challenge website at www.stockmarketgame.org/capitol-hill-challenge.html
