ST. PAUL, Minn.– The Affinity Plus Foundation, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), said it has awarded a $100,000 Member Impact Fund grant to LSS Financial Counseling, a service of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, to offer free Train the Trainer financial literacy workshops statewide to nonprofit professionals. 

This multi-year grant will equip 300 nonprofit professionals – including case workers, social workers and employment counselors – with tools and training to empower Minnesotans on the path to financial stability.

“LSS Financial Counseling is doing powerful, on-the-ground work to expand financial literacy across Minnesota, and we’re honored to help bring their Train the Trainer program to even more communities,” said Jacquie Twedt, Board Chair of the Affinity Plus Foundation. “This is about meeting people where they are – supporting families as they build household budgets, navigating uncertainty and regaining control of their financial future. By investing in local leaders who people already trust, we’re equipping our communities with the tools and confidence they need to make a lasting impact.”

Six Workshops

Launching in October, the program will deliver six in-person workshops over the next three years, providing accessible, practical financial education for navigating today’s economic landscape, the organizations said. 

The initiative will start with a 50-person cohort session at LSS Financial Counseling’s St. Paul location at 1605 Eustis Street. Participants will walk away with tools, training materials and ongoing support from the LSS team to help their clients face challenges such as debt, credit repair, budgeting, saving and crisis planning – all at no cost to them or their organization.

“We’re thrilled to launch this six-part Train the Trainer program at a time when nonprofit budgets are stretched and demand for financial guidance continues to grow,” said Nichole Szczesniak, Counseling Director at LSS Financial Counseling. “This funding opens the door to serve more communities across Minnesota, expanding our impact and connecting a diverse network of nonprofit educators. We’re calling on nonprofit educators and frontline anti-poverty staff across Minnesota to join us and learn alongside peers, gain tools you can use right away and be part of a legacy that’s committed to building stronger, more financially resilient communities.”

Follow-Up Learning

In addition to workshops, LSS Financial Counseling plans to conduct follow-up learning and peer support opportunities, where participants can return to share how they’ve implemented the training, exchange best practices and continue to build confidence as local financial educators.

The grant is part of a $1 million statewide initiative supporting 41 nonprofit organizations. Through a 3-to-1 match on member institution contributions from the FHLB Des Moines, the Affinity Plus Foundation is significantly boosting the ability of local nonprofits to serve Minnesotans in need while reinforcing its commitment to building stronger communities through financial support and long-standing partnerships.