Mahogany & Friends Foundation

Mahogany & Friends Foundation is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to making financial education accessible, engaging, and practical for every generation. We believe financial literacy is not a privilege—it is a human right. Our mission is to empower children, youth, and families—especially those historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities—with the tools and confidence to build financial stability, achieve economic mobility, and develop lasting financial confidence. Through joyful, hands-on learning experiences, we meet people where they are—no shame, no jargon, just transformational learning. Our vision is a future where families are equipped to thrive—and where we’re not just teaching money, we’re raising the next generation of financially confident individuals.

Mahogany & Friends Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping youth and families build financial confidence and economic mobility through engaging, hands-on financial education that makes money make sense. We accomplish our mission through a range of interactive programs that combine real-world learning, behavior change, and family engagement. Our High Five Savings program is a five-week after-school experience in partnership with Charlottesville Middle School, serving 100+ students annually across multiple cohorts. Students learn how to earn, save, and manage money through hands-on activities, community service-based earning opportunities, and a matched savings incentive of up to $100. The program culminates in a Family Banking Day, where families engage in the learning experience and explore financial tools and resources together. Our Budget DOES IT™ program is a high-impact financial literacy workshop delivered during Financial Literacy Month, reaching 300+ youth annually. Participants learn the fundamentals of budgeting, income and expenses, and needs versus wants, and leave with financial literacy kits and a savings starter incentive to immediately apply what they’ve learned. In partnership with UVA Star Hill Pathways, our First Job Ready program supports workforce and entrepreneurship readiness by teaching youth essential financial skills such as understanding paychecks, using debit and credit, basic investing concepts, and making informed financial decisions. We also support families through Mahogany Parents: Financial Culture™, offering workshops and one-on-one financial coaching to help adults build strong financial habits and create long-term stability for their households. Through our PUSH initiative, we promote literacy and financial education by placing culturally relevant financial literacy books into the hands of youth, reinforcing learning both in and outside of the classroom. Through these programs, we create meaningful, engaging experiences that equip youth and families with the tools and confidence to build lasting financial futures.