The Take Charge America Institute
Welcome to The Take Charge America's official webpage.
Find out more about the Institute and our programs below.
The Take Charge America Institute
The Institute’s mission is to create research-based educational outreach programs to improve financial literacy and help consumers to make informed financial choices in today’s complex markets. A major endowment gift to the University of Arizona in 2003 from the credit counseling agency Take Charge America established the Institute. Located in the Norton School of Human Ecology, the TCAI has focused its efforts during its first five years on educating young people how to manage their finances and make informed choices as they move into adult life.
Building Financial Security
Do credit reports or the idea borrowing money feel overwhelming? Would you like a clearer picture of how you spend and save your money? Building Financial Security for Self, Family, and Community takes an in-depth look at managing money. Take control by prioritizing expenses creating a spending plan & making SMART goals. Learn how to build and use an emergency fund. Understand different types of insurances and how they can support you. Learn to use credit responsibly and decrease the time and interest you pay on loans. Understand how your credit report is made, how to read it accurately and dispute inaccurate information. Discuss strategies to keep your information safe and improve your credit score.
Take Charge Cats
The Take Charge Cats, formerly the Credit-Wise Cats, began in 2000 with just 5 University of Arizona students, educating their peers on campus. Today, the Cats have grown to a team of 15 ambassadors. The Cats have extended their educational outreach efforts by improving the financial literacy of youth throughout Tucson high schools, middle schools and community organizations.
Financial Coaching Cats
Financial Coaching Cats provides free, confidential financial coaching to University of Arizona students and to individuals and families across Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Through one-on-one, judgement-free conversations, trained coaches help people feel more confident about money, clarify goals, and take steps that feel manageable - meeting them where they are and moving at their pace.
The program also prepares University of Arizona Personal and Family Financial Planning students through its hands-on, supervised coaching skill development experience while expanding access to community-based support.
Littles Count: Big Change!
Financial literacy starts early! Littles Count: Big Change! introduces financial literacy to children through storytelling and play.
University of Arizona volunteers provide interactive story times, activities and take-home resource to families in community spaces.
Take The Arizona Saves Pledge
Interested in saving towards a financial goal? Take the America Saves Pledge and America Saves will send you financial resources and tips to keep you on track towards your savings goal. Become part of an entire community of savers. Get started now by
Volunteer With Us!
Interested in working with the Take Charge America Institute?
We're currently accepting volunteers for these financial literacy programs:
- Littles Count: Big Change!
- FAFSA Awareness
- Arizona Saves
- Where Does Your Money Go?
Want help bring financial literacy to your community?
More Resources!
Financial Capability Dashboard
Coming Soon- FAFSA Resources
Coming Soon- Money Habitudes
The Take Charge America Institute Personnel
