Treasurer Sprague Announces 2025 Compass Award Honorees
Recognition program highlights leaders in financial literacy and empowerment
COLUMBUS – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced the latest round of Compass Award honorees for 2025. The annual recognition program commends organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.
“Financial literacy is a lifelong skill that’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Treasurer Sprague. “This year’s Compass Award honorees have shown dedication and success when it comes to teaching Ohioans about the value of money, how to use it, and ways to plan for their financial futures. We are honored to recognize these three exemplary organizations and the work each of the programs is doing in their communities.”
The 2025 Compass Award honorees are:
The Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati - StEP
The Alpaugh Family Economics Center’s Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) encourages children to engage in positive and productive behaviors in their classrooms. Using a token economy system, students are rewarded for attendance, achieving goals, and more. In addition to students having the ability to save and donate the money they’ve earned, the Alpaugh Center creates on-site school stores where students can choose how to spend the money. Through the program, students also have the ability to create business ventures and highlight those businesses at a special event at the University of Cincinnati. Financial education efforts by StEP empower children in 20 schools across Ohio and Kentucky to think critically about the value of strong money management.
Franklinton Development Association – Financial LifeSkills Program
In addition to providing a number of housing-related services and connecting individuals to other critical services, the Franklinton Development Association works to educate its residents on personal finance through the Financial LifeSkills Program. The six-week program consists of six 2-hour sessions that cover topics such as budgeting, credit, debt management, relationships with money, entrepreneurship, and more. In 2024, the program had 113 graduates with 11 cohorts of students completing the full 12-hour program. In 2025, the program had 131 graduates. The Financial LifeSkills Program supports the ongoing financial education of Franklinton residents and empowers them to take control of their financial futures.
Toledo Zoo – ADaPT Program
The Advocates for Disabilities and Partners Team (ADaPT) program empowers teens with disabilities to learn skills and achieve goals independently. The program also provides financial education to teens with disabilities volunteering at the Toledo Zoo. Participants complete coursework and exercises in personal finance. Through a simulated economy, program participants earn Zoo Teen Bucks from volunteering at the zoo. With their Zoo Teen Bucks, participants are tasked to pay “bills” and make decisions related to spending through a program store. The ADaPT program uses financial education as a tool to help teens with disabilities build confidence and learn the importance of money management.
To see a full list of previous Compass Award honorees and to learn more about other financial literacy programs from the Ohio Treasurer’s Office, visit our website.
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