The Institute


These days, we are besieged with ever-increasing   responsibilities and demands on our time.Americans work more hours than ever before and statistics tell us that we are not taking adequate time to strategically organize and implement effective personal financial planning. The key to this type of planning begins with financial education – something that most of us never received in school, but which we all desperately need.

The Heartland Institute of Financial Education was founded to provide this education. Founder Alan Gappinger, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and long-time financial advisor, was well-aware of this need for financial literacy education and recognized the unique role that financial advisors could play in providing it. He also realized the tremendous benefit there would be for individuals, businesses and other organizations to have access to this education through a national consortium of colleges and universities.

The Objective
 
The Institute’s objective is to ensure affordable, easily accessible financial education for the American workforce. While this concept has often been discussed in the media, in the classroom and in the boardroom, little has been done to bring it to reality. However, a new model has been developed which offers hope that this goal may be achieved.
 
The Concept
 
After many years spent in course development through the Community College of Aurora (Colorado) and Colorado State University, the Board of Governors of the Heartland Institute recognized that consumers would be well-served if the success of these financial programs were duplicated in colleges and universities throughout the United States. The concept is simple:
  • Bring financial expertise and training on an educational, non-solicitous basis to employees at their work location for their convenience

  • Provide knowledgeable, qualified instructors equipped with practical course material

  • Require that an accredited college or university sponsor every course offered

Implementation

To achieve these objectives, the Heartland Institute partners with colleges and universities throughout the United States to provide financial education courses to businesses and their employees, organizations and their members, and even civic and community groups who desire this type of purely educational coursework and information. These courses are taught by CFE Certified Financial Educators®, who have both instructional and practical business experience.

The results have been amazing. Employees and private citizens who would never take the time to attend a course in financial education are joining their colleagues for class at the community center, office or plant after work. As a further incentive, spouses/partners are invited to join the class for no additional cost.

Our Commitment

We hold ourselves to a high standard of performance, judged primarily through our commitment to diversity, involvement and responsibility.
 
DIVERSITY
OUR COMMITMENT is to an open attitude of acceptance and a desire to encourage differing points of view. We value varying social and ethnic backgrounds, and the life experiences they bring to the educational process.
 
INVOLVEMENT
OUR COMMITMENT encourages all participants to take part in the exercises, case studies and course material. Our instructors provide valuable, pertinent information, while assisting all participants to learn and contribute.
 
RESPONSIBILITY
OUR COMMITMENT encourages all participants to learn from this classroom experience by applying the lessons to their own situation, accepting greater responsibility and striving to achieve personal goals for the future.


Click here to learn more about Our Mission.

                                            
©2010 Heartland Institute of Financial Education. All rights reserved.