Grow Wisdom:
Mission & Vision
Our Story
Creek & Lyells is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to teach financial education at a younger age, especially for students who may not have access to these resources at home or in school. The name honors our founder’s boyhood homes, each marking a distinct chapter: one offering stability, the other a necessary turning point. Together, they serve as a reminder that financial decisions are never just about money—they carry lessons that shape identity, values, and future choices.
The truth is that many young people enter adulthood without basic financial knowledge. Creek & Lyells exists to change that by planting seeds of prosperity early in life so students can grow into confident, informed decision-makers.
Vision & Impact
We envision a future where every young adult, regardless of background, has the financial knowledge and confidence to make informed life decisions.
To bring this vision to life, we are committed to:
Offering free, personal finance courses several times a year to help students develop essential money management skills through a flexible online format.
Partnering with high schools, colleges, and community organizations to provide financial education tailored to the real needs of young adults, both inside and outside the classroom.
Designing courses based on effective instructional design, making content accessible, engaging, and relevant to real-world decisions.
Empowering students with practical assignments, ending in a personalized Capstone Project that connects financial concepts to their career goals and income potential.
Building a comprehensive digital library of microlearning modules in important areas such as investing, insurance, entrepreneurship, and taxes, accessible long after the course concludes.
Supporting students beyond instruction by providing scholarship opportunities and community mentorship.
Listening, learning, and evolving as a learning organization that constantly improves by reflecting on student feedback, partner insights, and outcomes.
Our programs are 100% donor-funded and tuition-free—ensuring that cost is never a barrier to building a strong financial future.
Rooted in Success
Education Creates Knowledge
Accessible content equips students with the skills to make informed choices.
Knowledge is Power
Relevant instruction empowers students to take more control of their lives.
Power Uplifts Communities
Positive connections foster a supportive network for learning and growth.
How We Give Back:
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Our courses cover essential financial topics, including budgeting, debt management, insurance, investing basics, and taxation. Designed to respect students’ cognitive load, our multi-week curriculum employs visual, auditory, and hands-on methods to make complex concepts both understandable and practical from a young adult’s viewpoint.
At the end of the 10-week Financial Foundations course, each student develops a personalized financial plan aligned with their career goals and real-world income data, linking knowledge with application and preparing them for life’s financial challenges.
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Creek & Lyells aims to work with schools and their students to combine financial literacy with academic achievement. Getting good grades and pursuing education beyond high school can result in more job opportunities and higher wages. Employers not only use educational qualifications as screening tools, but many well-paying careers require specific educational credentials.
Aligning academic, career, and financial education helps ensure that student’s long-term aspirations are achieved.
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Outreach events enable our leadership and volunteers to engage with the community, collaborate with those passionate about similar causes, raise crucial funds, and gather feedback on how to serve the community better.
Establishing these connections enables Creek & Lyells to further our mission of enhancing financial literacy among young adults.
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Throughout our programs, we encourage students to think beyond the classroom, considering their future careers, financial responsibilities, and educational goals. We are committed to supporting those pursuits whenever possible.
While our scholarships may not cover all educational expenses, we believe that a little can go a long way. Our scholarship program is designed to lower barriers to higher education and aligns closely with our mission to promote financial literacy and opportunity.
More than just financial aid, our scholarships recognize student effort and motivate students to take ownership of their financial futures and continue striving toward academic success.
Leadership Team
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Edward Anderson III
Founder | Program Director
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Alvin Fitzgerald II
VP | Program Director
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Calvin Royster II
CFO | Program Director
Make Lasting Change!
Your contributions support the following:
Developing and implementing educational programs
Investments in technology and other resources that preserve program infrastructure
Outreach efforts, including organizing community events, distributing educational materials, and raising awareness about the nonprofit's mission
Scholarships for tuition fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses