named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Digital Financial Education Outreach
Hybrid initiative using online platforms to deliver financial literacy content, including tips, budgeting tools, and investment education, to expand reach beyond physical locations.
In-Person Financial Education Workshops
Direct mentorship and classroom-based financial literacy programs for students, historically conducted in schools and community spaces.
National Financial Literacy Month Initiatives
Annual programming during April that includes community events, online content, and financial education campaigns to promote financial literacy among youth and adults.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Financial Literacy Education Programs 4 activities
- Deliver financial education through hybrid in-person and digital platformsProvides financial literacy education using a hybrid model combining in-person conversations, mentorship, and digital platforms to increase reach and impact. Delivers instruction through interactive formats including classes, workshops, conference sessions, and webinars.
- Deliver multi-year financial education programs for high school studentsOperates "Invest in Success," a three-year financial education program for high school students, and a two-year preparatory institute that teaches personal finance and investing skills including budgeting, saving, checking account management, and investing. Programs include structured curricula with monthly Finance Academy sessions on Saturdays and require participation in summer educational and enrichment programs.
- Host community financial education events and conferencesHosts and co-hosts financial education events for urban citizens, including the National Financial Literacy Month Conference in New York City and a series of community events during April. Events are conducted in partnership with community organizations, educational institutions, and government entities, with attendance reaching 500+ people.
- Partner with organizations to expand financial literacy outreachCollaborates with external partners such as Benjamin Talks to promote financial literacy for children and amplify program reach. Engages in partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and government entities to deliver financial education programming.
-
-
Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Facilitate mentorship programs pairing students with professionalsOperates a three-year mentorship program that pairs high school scholars with professionals from diverse industries. Mentors are required to attend monthly Finance Academy sessions and engage in at least one interactive activity per month with their mentee, such as a phone call or in-person meeting.
-
-
Youth Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Education 1 activity
- Provide hands-on financial literacy training through capstone competitions and account accessEngages students in capstone competitions such as the Personal Finance Case Competition and the Stock Pitch Competition, including the 2018 Invest in Success Stock Pitch Competition in New York City. Awards cash prizes to winning scholars to initiate individual investing journeys and provides opportunities to open savings and individual brokerage accounts as part of financial literacy training.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7K
Contributions & grants$3K38%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K62%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$5K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$1K
balance sheet
Total assets$168K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$168K
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -29.1%
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Benjamin Talks Partner — Co-Founders of Benjamin Talks, Nikki and Carissa, joined D.R.E.A.M.'s Board of Advisors to provide thought leadership and guidance on financial literacy education for youth.
- Benjamin Talks Partner — Partner organization collaborating with D.R.E.A.M. to promote financial literacy for children through purposeful products, accessible content, and impactful giving.
- Benjamin Talks Partner — Partnership to promote financial fitness for youth through purposeful products, accessible content, and impactful giving.
- Capital One 360 Partner — Partner organization linked from the Partners & Sponsors page
- Centri Alliance Partner — Website design partner responsible for designing the Dream-USA.org website
- Jump$tart Coalition Partner — Collaborates within the financial literacy ecosystem; mentioned as a key organization advancing financial literacy in schools and underserved communities.
- Khan Academy Partner — Recommends Khan Academy online content as a resource for personal finance education.
- Operation HOPE Partner — Collaborates within the financial literacy ecosystem; mentioned as a fellow organization advancing financial literacy in underserved communities.
- Success Mentors Partner — Mentors provide guidance on financial management, college preparation, and other topics for program participants.
- Zolio Partner — Partner organization linked from the Partners & Sponsors page
- educational institutions Partner — Co-hosts financial education events with educational institutions.
- for-profit businesses Partner — Co-hosts financial education events with for-profit businesses.
- local community based organizations Partner — Co-hosts financial education events with local community-based organizations.
- state and local governments Government — Co-hosts financial education events with state and local government entities.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Centered Financial Capability Buildingmethodology: equity_centered_financial_educationBy targeting financial literacy education to underserved communities affected by racial and class disparities, the organization promotes responsible economic citizenship because addressing structural inequities in financial access creates more meaningful and lasting economic advancement.
- Mentor-Supported Financial Literacy for Youth in Under-Resourced Communitiesmethodology: mentor_supported_financial_literacyBy integrating one-on-one mentorship with financial education, the organization fosters economic self-sufficiency because sustained, relational guidance from professionals increases accountability, personalizes learning, and builds long-term financial habits.
- Practical and Culturally Relevant Financial Habit Formationmethodology: practical_habit_based_educationBy emphasizing immediately actionable financial practices—such as budgeting, saving, and investing in familiar companies—within a culturally-enriched context, the organization builds long-term financial freedom because relevance and practicality increase engagement and habit adoption among urban youth.
- Progressive Financial Education with Experiential Reinforcementmethodology: progressive_experiential_learningBy delivering a curriculum that builds from foundational budgeting to advanced investment concepts over two years and reinforcing it with hands-on simulations and a capstone stock pitch competition, the organization produces deeper financial capability because applied, scaffolded learning increases retention and real-world readiness.