Real Data, Real Voices,
Real change.
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
A multi-state financial literacy program empowering youth across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio — 2023 through 2025.
Expanding economic opportunity.
Building generational wealth.
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation expands economic opportunity for youth and young adults in underserved communities by delivering culturally grounded programs in education, financial literacy, and career pathways — empowering the next generation to build lasting economic security and generational wealth. "Closing the Wealth Gap," powered by Money Vehicle, is our flagship financial literacy initiative — a 12-chapter curriculum covering budgeting, credit, investing, insurance, taxes, and wealth-building.
"When access is limited, potential is too often left unrealized. But when we invest in young people — when we truly see them, hear them, and equip them — that is when change becomes generational."
Malcolm Jenkins · Founder & Chairman, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
Seven communities.
One mission.
From Newark to Columbus, the program has reached students across urban schools, universities, and community organizations — meeting young people where they are.
Real growth.
Real data.
Pre- and post-assessments document measurable shifts in financial knowledge, confidence, and behavior across all sites.
Applied learning
in action.
Students didn't just learn the concepts — they built real financial plans for their futures through the Money Vehicle Character Project capstone.
Projected herself as a dual-certified trauma surgeon and neurologist in Manhattan by age 27 — $0 in debt, investing $4,000/month toward a $5M financial freedom goal in 25 years.
Modeled life as a registered nurse earning $89K/year. Improved her Money Vehicle plan score from 56.5 to 85.2 — a B+ — through disciplined budgeting and automatic payments.
Nursing assistant earning $31K/year. Set a 10-year goal of $100,000 in savings with zero debt — defined financial freedom as "not having to worry about money at all."
Civil engineering graduate earning $86K dual income in Columbus. Opened a Vanguard Roth IRA, invested in S&P 500 index funds, and calculated $733/month to reach $10,000 in one year.
In their own words.
"The budgeting sheet for our future planning gave me a deeper understanding of how to manage income and start building wealth."
Piscataway High School student
"Compound interest has motivated me to start saving and investing as soon as possible. I now have a plan."
Piscataway High School student
"Financial freedom is having every asset in my life being paid in full, and owning it 100%."
Kassadi Avent · Camden, NJ
"The concept of R.I.C.H. goals has resonated with me deeply. I'm excited to apply what I've learned to both personal and professional areas of my life."
OSU CARE Program student
"Financial freedom would be not having to worry about money at all and not having any debt."
Yhara Guizar · Camden, NJ
"Now I feel more confident about applying for college and managing my expenses."
Piscataway High School student
Growing the movement.
The growth witnessed across all sites is a testament to what becomes possible when young people are equipped with practical, empowering financial knowledge. Our goal is to expand access — broadening reach, deepening impact, closing the wealth gap one learner at a time.
"Together, let's ensure financial literacy isn't a privilege — it's a promise we deliver to every student, every classroom, every future."
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation · Celebrating 15 Years of Impact