As the proverb says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”   

This wisdom perfectly captures the essence of Money Matters, which equips teens and young adults with the essential financial tools and knowledge they need as they enter the workforce. Teaching Money Matters creates a lasting impact and promotes financial responsibility for America’s future workforce. 

Originally set aside as a day in September, Money Matters is now available as a year-round program. 

 The Money Matters curriculum covers key topics, including completing the Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, understanding payroll taxes, and exploring different methods of receiving a paycheck. By the end of the course, students will be better prepared to manage their finances and navigate adulthood, setting a strong foundation for their future success. 

Volunteering to teach Money Matters is a great way to not only give back to your community but also inspire a future generation of payroll professionals during National Payroll Week® (NPW). The updated curriculum now includes a “Payroll as a Career” section, encouraging students to explore a future career in payroll. As a volunteer, you have the unique opportunity to spark a passion for the payroll profession and shape the future of the industry.  

PayrollOrg is now offering two Money Matters scholarships in 2025—one in the spring and one in the fall. Encourage your students to apply (the deadlines are May 31 and October 10) for the chance to be awarded the “Bring Home the Gold” Scholarship, designed to help further their education and career prospects. Visit the NPW website to learn more.  

Once you sign up as a volunteer, you will receive an email with all the teaching materials. With the help of the Council for Economic Education, the Money Matters materials are formatted to accommodate both in-person and virtual classes, giving volunteers the freedom to teach in the way that best fits their needs.  

PayrollOrg rewards 1 RCH and a citation of recognition to each Money Matters volunteer who teaches the curriculum in their community. In 2024, more than 300 volunteers positively impacted their communities by teaching important paycheck basics. Sign up as a volunteer in 2025 and share your knowledge with the future workforce of America. 

Christy Gardner is the Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator for PayrollOrg.