The Investor Education Fund (IEF) seeks partners to develop financial literacy programs in our communities. We are looking to improve the financial capabilities of targeted groups that have an identifiable need for extra assistance in learning how to manage their financial or investment matters.

We seek out projects and educational initiatives by non-profit, community-based organizations and educational institutions. To be considered, these initiatives must contribute measurably to the development of consumers’ financial and investment know-how. The expected results from each project must be clear and measurable.

All funding requests must pass the Fund's Merit Assessment process. Priority is given to proposals that accomplish one or more of the following objectives:

1. Develop innovative financial education products or resources relevant to the needs of the target population's members and constituents that are also replicable for use by other community groups.
2. Work with community groups to instruct or distribute educational products or resources related to financial literacy.
3. Develop the skills, knowledge or abilities of retail investors.
4. Promote financial and investment literacy programs in schools, for adult learners, or the educational system in general.

A strong preference will be given to projects that are national in scope which will improve the long term financial literacy of Canadians in a measurable way, but the IEF will also give serious consideration to projects that benefit Ontarians.

Past projects have benefited groups such as students, the elderly, new Canadians, people with learning or physical disabilities, the financially disadvantaged, and other similar groups.

The application submission deadline for 2010 is October 8.