Honoring the Wisconsin Financial Literacy Foundation: Driving financial education forward
Every year, SecureFutures recognizes one individual volunteer and one partner organization for their contribution to our mission of teen financial empowerment. The award is named in honor of our founder, and this year, we are excited to celebrate the Wisconsin Financial Literacy Foundation as the 2025 Lloyd Levin Difference Maker Organization.
More than a decade ago, a conversation about a struggling golf outing sparked an idea that would grow into something much bigger. When approached about taking over the CFA Society Milwaukee member golf outing, Erik Gauger saw an opportunity—not just to revive the event, but to transform it into something with purpose. Participation at the time was dwindling, but Erik proposed turning the outing into a charitable fundraiser open to more than CFA members. His chosen cause was one close to his heart: SecureFutures.
As a former classroom volunteer, Erik had witnessed firsthand the gap in financial knowledge among teens. He recalls a student who believed banks were only for the wealthy and another who thought a credit card was simply “free money.” Those moments stayed with him. “Working with clients, I always knew financial literacy was low,” he shared, “but it wasn’t until I was in the classroom that I realized just how great the need was, and I was excited about SecureFutures’ focus on under-resourced communities, and the need to level the playing field. I wanted to help in a way that made the best use of my skills, by raising money.”
From that vision, the Wisconsin Financial Literacy Foundation’s golf outing was born. What started as a small effort with just over 50 golfers has since grown into a premier annual event that sells out year after year. Together, Erik, Ryan Bushman, Jason Scherer, and Joe Fredrick have built a committee that not only sustains the outing but continually expands its reach and impact. Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has raised more than $165,000 for SecureFutures, helping bring critical financial education to thousands of teens across Wisconsin.
For Ryan and the Foundation team, the motivation is simple: seeing the impact SecureFutures has on young people’s lives. “We’re proud of the role we’re playing to raise funds for this important endeavor and grateful for our sponsorship partners,” Ryan said. “We strongly believe in the power of educating teens on the subject of financial literacy and in the long-term positive impact that will have in our community.”
Looking forward, the Foundation hopes to build on its momentum by bringing new people and organizations into the mission of financial empowerment. And as for what the award means to them, Ryan sums it up: “We are honored to be recognized as the 2025 Organizational Lloyd Levin Difference Maker and to play a part in driving Lloyd’s vision of empowering teens through financial education and mentorship.”
Because of the leadership and dedication of the Wisconsin Financial Literacy Foundation, thousands of teens have gained the tools to navigate their financial futures with confidence. For that, SecureFutures is proud to recognize them as true Difference Makers.
To learn how you can help support SecureFutures’ mission of teen financial empowerment, visit our website.
