Roots & routes - A financial capability toolkit for Opportunity Youth. July 8, 2026 Financial capability is about more than budgeting or reading a paystub - although those skills matter. It is about ensuring that young people have the knowledge, confidence, relationships, and access to financial products and systems they need to navigate important financial decisions and build long-term economic wellbeing. Over the past five years, the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), in partnership with MyPath, the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, and communities across the Opportunity Youth Forum (OYF) network, has explored how financial capability can be meaningfully integrated into workforce and education pathways for opportunity youth. This toolkit brings together those lessons. It examines four models - from summer employment programs and national partnerships to locally driven collaborations and asset-building strategies while also exploring broader factors that shape implementation, including staff wellbeing, changing income pathways, digital financial learning, and emerging technologies. Throughout, one theme emerges consistently: financial capability is most effective when it is embedded in the real moments when young people are earning income, navigating systems, making financial decisions, and building their futures. It is not a standalone service. It is part of how workforce, education, and community systems support long-term economic mobility. Whether you are a workforce practitioner, intermediary, funder, policymaker, or community leader, this resource is designed to provide practical ideas for strengthening financial wellbeing as an integrated part of opportunity youth pathways.

Economic Mobility & Inclusion Grant Round | Spring 2026. May 15, 2026 - News SV2 is thrilled to announce its Spring 2026 Economic Mobility & Inclusion Grantees: Fortitude Careers and MyPath! Each organization receives an annual unrestricted grant of $30,000 for a total of $90,000, paired with SV2's "beyond-the-dollars" support and collaborative partnership. This selection was made possible by the dedicated participation of 38 Donor Partners and its Staff. SV2 Partners would like to extend a special thank you to Steve Mazer and Sophie Vong-Karlage for their compassionate, conscientious, and catalytic leadership as Co-Leads of this Grant Round. Fortitude Careers. Mission: To offer free eight-week programs designed to teach critical life skills alongside an introduction to the construction trades. The program aims to strengthen futures by combining "Life Mastery" training - including financial literacy and career services - with hands-on trades introduction and industry certifications. "Fortitude is part of the reason I keep going. Even now, when I'm going through challenges, I always think of Fortitude!" - A.D. Summer Build Participant Nicole founded Fortitude Careers with a commitment to reaching young people often overlooked by traditional systems - those navigating economic instability, learning challenges, trauma, or a lack of direction and support. Through persistence, community partnerships, and her unwavering belief in the potential of every participant, she has helped build pathways into trades careers that offer dignity, economic mobility, and purpose. Her leadership continues to shape Fortitude's mission of helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and the fortitude to redefine their futures. MyPath. Mission: To promote economic mobility and financial wellness for low-income youth by connecting them to savings and credit-building tools and pathways to economic power. "I joined MyPath my senior year in High School because I was interested in learning about the United States' financial system and financial tools. Since joining MyPath, I have felt more comfortable working and negotiating with financial service providers. I have also been able to expand other youths' knowledge about financial services and even advocate for our needs at the federal level. I believe youth's voice is power and we need to be supported every step of the way because we are the future." - Maria E., Youth POWER Member Margaret launched MyPath in 2007 in partnership with young people to design economic mobility models for youth from communities historically excluded from financial access. Based on the resulting financial capability innovations and impact - the country's first college savings program, first banking and savings program for youth employment programs and first financial mentoring model for young adults - Margaret and MyPath are recipients of the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, the National Innovation Award from Credit Builders Alliance, and the Soaring Eagle Award from Rise Economy. Beyond the selection of these two organizations, this Grant Round served as a profound learning experience for the SV2 community. Its Donor Partners did more than just evaluate applications; they immersed themselves in the complexities of the Bay Area's economic landscape. By engaging directly with the missions of Fortitude Careers and MyPath, its partners gained fresh perspectives on what it takes to build systemic equity. Upon reflecting on the journey, SV2 Donor Partners shared: "I was able to revisit a sector I care deeply about and re-think for myself what is most important and impactful. I learned not just about some new organizations but also about the sector as a whole, and felt like we were able to build community at the same time." - Deb Dauber, SV2 Donor Partner "I really appreciated learning about different organizations doing valuable and important work in the Bay Area and considering the many facets of and approaches to increasing economic mobility." - Linda Solon, SV2 Donor Partner These reflections underscore the heart of the SV2 model: that SV2 Partners grow as givers even as SV2 Partners support those doing the work. SV2 Partners is deeply grateful to have learned from so many inspiring and insightful examples of economic mobility and inclusion. SV2 Partners look forward to continuing its journey alongside its new Grantees and the entire SV2 community!