KickStart to Career

KickStart to Career Muskegon County has identified a champion committee consisting of at least one representative from every participating school. The role of the Champion is to be an advocate for the program and the main contact for the school.

Click here to find your school's Champion!

KickStart to Career has partnered with 6 banks and credit unions to assist with not only deposit collection but also student and family financial literacy. Each financial institution has been partnered with a district based on location but families are able to enter any of their Muskegon branches to make a deposit into their students' KickStart to Career account. 

See branch locations here!

Deposit Days are the students' chance to contribute to their account within the school. Schools will be provided a half sheet of paper stapled to an envelope for each student. These will be sent home prior to the scheduled event for families to fill out, seal, and return to school. The district's Financial Champion will set up a "deposit station" for students to bring their KickStart to Career deposit envelopes.  Every student who makes a deposit will receive a receipt to take home verifying their deposit. 

Kindergarten- 

• 1 Deposit Day:

  • • Held during February-May: Classroom piece: Students will receive an age-appropriate program overview, our Financial Champions will provide a book reading around saving and what happens to their funds while with the bank/credit union, and then deposits will be collected. Depending on the number of deposits, the event could take 15-20 minutes per classroom. KickStart group will travel from classroom to classroom. 

1st-6th Grade-

•  2 Deposit Days: 

  • • FIRST held in November/December: The date of the event will be communicated to the Educator Champion and will be the same for all of Muskegon County schools. Envelopes are sent home to families prior to the event date. KtC Coordinator will travel to each school to gather deposit envelopes from the buildings' main offices. 

    • SECOND held between February and May: Financial Champions will set up a "deposit station" in the hallway near 1st-grade classrooms. Students with deposits will be excused from class (two at a time) to go to the "station" to make their deposit. Students will go right back to class when completed. The student should only be out of the classroom for a few minutes depending on the amount of change in the deposit.

Work with your school's Education Champion to schedule your Deposit Day!

In January of the kindergarten school year, the KickStart to Career accounts will open with a $50 deposit! Accounts will start automatically unless families choose to opt out of the program. If a family would like to opt out, they can contact the coordinator: kickstart@muskegonfoundation.org 

KINDERGARTEN TIMELINE: 

November-December: 

• Flyer/Document/Video notifying families of the upcoming account

January: 

• Accounts open - student information pulled from PowerSchool

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold (1) Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

• Prior to Deposit Day, families receive a KickStart to Career money pouch & informational packet. Items are delivered to the building's main office and sent home via backpacks/folders. 

KINDERGARTEN REWARD:

• First Deposit Reward: If a student or family makes a deposit of any amount during kindergarten - at a school Deposit Day or a financial champion branch - the Community Foundation will make a $5 reward deposit to the student's account.

KINDERGARTEN ACTIVITY: 

• Book Reading - During the Deposit Day our financial partners will provide a book reading and explain what happens with their money when held in the branch. 

• When I Grow Up Activity - This activity allows students to dream of their future career and use creativity to put it on paper- access document here.

1st-grade students already have a KickStart to Career account, may have already made deposits, and are saving toward a great career! If a student is new to your school starting in 1st grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

1st GRADE TIMELINE: 

October: 

• YouTube video sent home to families reminding them of the program. 

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold 1 Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

1st GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• No activity is scheduled for 1st grade unless requested. If desired, please contact Educator Champion for further planning. 

During the 2nd grade year, we hope to provide students and families with further knowledge of saving and career building for their future! If a student is new to your school starting in 2nd grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

2nd GRADE TIMELINE: 

October: 

• YouTube video sent home to families reminding them of the program. 

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold 1 Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

2nd GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• Career Project Opportunity: Explore careers with 2nd-grade students over a one-to-three-week period with 20-minute classroom lessons, using the books: “Whose Hat Is This?” “Whose Tools Are These?” and “Whose Vehicle Is This?” from the series by Sharon Katz Cooper. The 6 Career Zones will be introduced and discussion and activities will be created beyond there. Click here for more details, examples, and curriculum support. 

• Upon completing the Career Project activity, each student will be rewarded with $1 into their KickStart account. Students will receive a certificate reflecting this deposit. 

Students will continue to engage in career awareness activities with KickStart to Career as a building point for future saving classroom conversations. If a student is new to your school starting in 3rd grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

3rd GRADE TIMELINE: 

October: 

• YouTube video sent home to families reminding them of the program. 

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day tab for more information)

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold (1) Deposit Day (see Deposit Day tab for more information)

3rd GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• Teachers can register for Mini Medical School to explore the medical field. Students will then discuss what training and education is needed for each career and link with KickStart to Career savings account Click here for more details, examples, and curriculum support. 

We will continue to review with students what their KickStart to Career account holds and begin to provide financial literacy options to grow their understanding of saving for their future. If a student is new to your school starting in 4th grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

4th GRADE TIMELINE: 

October: 

• YouTube video sent home to families reminding them of the program. 

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold 1 Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

4th GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• Teachers can register for menu item activities to explore the local careers. Students will then discuss what training and education is needed for each career and link with KickStart to Career savings account. Click here for more details, examples, and curriculum support. 

As students are maturing and growing in their knowledge of the world, we want to assist with their financial planning skills. If a student is new to your school starting in 4th grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

5th GRADE TIMELINE: 

October: 

• YouTube video sent home to families reminding them of the program. 

• Money Smart Career Choices Activity- can be done from October to the end of April (See details and links below)

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day tab section more information)

February-May: 

• Each school building will hold 1 Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

5th GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• Students will use student-centered activities to learn how income is earned (by working and through investments) and will engage in assessing personal interests related to potential careers. Students will learn how education is a proven strategy to improve their lifelong earning potential and extend their knowledge of income by recognizing that earned income is taxed.  Click here for more details, examples, and curriculum support. 

• Upon completing the Career Project activity, each student will be rewarded with $5 into their KickStart account. Students will receive a certificate reflecting this deposit. 

As students are entering middle school, we want to encourage their exploration of careers, engage families in their career exploration, and encourage students to continue their savings journey as they are halfway to graduation. If a student is new to your school starting in 6th grade, they will automatically receive an account but will not be eligible for the initial $50 seed deposit. 

6th GRADE TIMELINE: 

September - June: 

• Did You Know 6th Grade Families - Brochure sent home to families informing them of the program. 

• Students work on completing four 6th grade lessons in Xello

• Families connect to Xello Family account via email sent from Xello

November/December: 

• Community Deposit Day (see Deposit Day tab section more information)

February: 

• Each middle school building will hold 1 Deposit Day (see Deposit Day section for more information)

• 100th day of school celebrating students are halfway through the school year and halfway to graduation

6th GRADE ACTIVITY: 

• This year, all 6th graders will have two different opportunities to earn $5 deposits into their accounts.  One $5 deposit is for completing Xello career exploration lessons during school and linking their Xello Family account to continue career conversations at home! 

• Please look for the email invitation from Xello and login to connect to your Xello family account!

• Another $5 will be deposited on the 100th day of school, February 7, 2025, as we will be celebrating your student is halfway through the school year and halfway to graduation!

• At the beginning of February, we will also be sending home a savings deposit envelope with your child so they have the opportunity to add money into their own savings account by bringing it back to school on the designated deposit day, February 6, 2025.

• You can check your students account balance and deposits when you login to PowerSchool and open the KickStart tab.

If you have additional questions, please checkout the website, www.ktcmuskegon.org, or email kickstart@muskegonfoundation.org 

What is KickStart to Career?

KickStart to Career is designed to encourage hope, build savings, assist with career training or college expenses, and increase financial education. The program is managed by the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Each kindergarten student attending a public, private, or charter school in Muskegon County has the opportunity to be the beneficiary of an account, opened with a $50 deposit from the Community Foundation.

What type of account is it?

This is a deposit-only savings account, which means the funds remain in the account until the Community Foundation approves a withdrawal for future education and training expenses. The Community Foundation holds the accounts for the benefit of the student. Your child will be named as beneficiary on the account.

I already have a Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) 529 account for my child or was planning to start one. Can we still participate?

Yes, you can still be part of the KickStart to Career program in addition to other education savings plans. As a KickStart participant, your child will be part of a classroom of students learning about careers, money, and planning for the future! Please see a financial advisor to ask questions about the MESP 529 or other college savings plans.

How do I start my child’s account?

Accounts are started automatically for all kindergarten students. If parents would like to opt out of a KickStart account, please contact the KickStart Coordinator at kickstart@muskegonfoundation.org or 231.767.3655.

Do I have to provide my child’s Social Security Number or other identifying information?

No. Because the Community Foundation is the owner of the account and it is held for the benefit of the child, a student’s name, address, date of birth, and school ID number are all that is needed. This information is provided to the Community Foundation and the Financial Champions by the school district.

What information about my child will be collected and shared?

Student name, address, date of birth, and student ID number will be shared with the Community Foundation and the program’s Financial Champions. Additional information may also be shared to receive a student reward. Shared data will never include things like individual grades or test scores. This information will not be shared outside of the program.

What fees will be charged to the account?

The account is not subject to fees.

Is there a minimum deposit amount?

No, deposits of any size are welcomed and encouraged.

How do I make deposits to my child’s account?

Financial Champions will offer “Deposit Days” in your child’s school. You can also go to one of our Financial Champion branches to make a deposit. Please see the full list of champion locations.

How can my child earn reward deposits?

Each school year, you will receive information about specific reward deposits your child can earn that year.

How will I know what my child’s account balance is?

If your school uses PowerSchool, log in to your child’s account, and on the left-hand side you will see a KickStart to Career tab. This will show your child’s deposits and balance. If your school does not utilize PowerSchool or if your child attends Oakridge Schools, no worries! Contact the KickStart to Career Coordinator to ask for an account balance update.

How can funds in the account be used?

Funds can be used for any qualifying educational expenses after high school. Such expenses may include, but are not limited to: tuition, mandatory fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance, or for any other necessary cost of attending school, including travel to and from school, or for school application fees.

How do I make withdrawals from my child’s account?

As graduation nears, information will be provided to explain the withdrawal process. The Community Foundation will approve your withdrawals for qualifying educational expenses.

What if my family encounters a hardship?

Please contact the KickStart to Career Coordinator to discuss the possibility of an early withdrawal of family deposit funds.

How long does my child have to use the funds in the account?

The account will close in December of the year your child turns 26.

What if my child joins the military before college or takes longer than normal to complete their education?

Please contact the KickStart to Career Coordinator to arrange an extension to the closing date of your child’s savings account.

What if my child doesn’t use all the funds in the account?

If there are any funds remaining, you can contact the KickStart to Career Coordinator and complete an Education Completion Withdrawal form. They will then pay your child the total family deposit fund balance (deposits that you have made).

Does the account earn interest, and if so, how is it paid?

Yes, accounts earn interest. Interest will be compounded periodically and will be credited to accounts at that time as a savings reward.

Do I or my child have to claim the interest earned as income?

The Community Foundation owns the account and any interest earned will not need to be claimed as income for the child or family.

Are my deposits tax-deductible?

No, they are not.

What if we move?

If you move within the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, your child is still considered a participant in the program and can continue to make deposits and request withdrawals for qualifying educational needs. If moving outside the district, you will still have access to your account but will not be eligible for reward deposits. Update your address by contacting the KickStart to Career Coordinator.