Grants Approved in 2004

Boston College Center for Retirement Research Chestnut Hill, MA

Empowering Women: Impediments and Solutions in Financial Decision Making
The Boston College team developed an interactive game-based educational program to provide investor education, with an emphasis on retirement planning, primarily to 45-60 year old women. The project was a collaboration with the Northeastern University Education Technology Center and Matthew Greenwald & Associates. To download the game, which is designed to be played in a moderated group setting, visit the project Web site.

Grant Amount:
$150,000 Project Term:
18 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Education

Consumer Federation of America Washington, DC

Consumer Knowledge of Mutual Fund Products and Information Services
Using feedback from experts, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) identified the knowledge required for sound mutual fund investing. Researchers analyzed investor knowledge levels about mutual fund products and examined educational resources available to the investing public. CFA also convened experts to discuss the research findings, the ways consumers wish to receive the information and the resulting implications for educating investors. The research findings are posted in the Resource Center.

Grant Amount:
$73,760 Project Term:
12 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Research

Education and Research Foundation of The Better Business Bureau serving Metropolitan New York New York, NY

Get More Money Now: How To Have Better Credit and More Money For Things That Matter
Metro New York BBB Foundation created simple materials, in English and Spanish, to guide financial decision making. These materials discuss investment issues in a way that appeals to people who may not be seeking investment advice. The project has a dedicated Web site, with comprehensive resources.

Grant Amount:
$75,000 Project Term:
24 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Education

First Nations Development Institute Longmont, CO

Building Native Communities: Investment Skills for Families
First Nations added an investor education component to its financial education model for Native American populations. They created a curriculum and trained a pool of Native Americans to deliver the new material. The complete curriculum is available online at the project Web site.

Grant Amount:
$92,070 Project Term:
19 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Education

Iowa State University Ames, IA

Understanding Significant Factors that Explain Gender Differences in Investments
Researchers at Iowa State analyzed gender roles in investment behavior through a national survey examining personal, environmental, and cultural factors. The study identified "teachable moments," key topics and educational strategies. The project also developed recommendations for educators and practitioners, with the goal of promoting wise investment behaviors in women. Findings are now available in the Resource Center.

Grant Amount:
$202,708 Project Term:
30 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Research

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge, LA

A Saving and Education Model for Elementary and Secondary School Employees
The Louisiana State Agricultural Center is developing, implementing and testing a model for workplace investor education tailored to specific occupations. The pilot model focuses on K-12 school system employees, primarily women, in Louisiana.

Grant Amount:
$74,492 Project Term:
36 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Education

Northwestern University School of Law Chicago, IL

Investor Protection Clinic
Northwestern Law School has established the first securities arbitration clinic in the Midwest to provide legal representation for small investors with limited income. The Clinic is also developing a start-up guidebook for establishing a securities arbitration clinic.

Grant Amount:
$120,000 Project Term:
24 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Education

Princeton University Princeton, NJ

Overcoming Psychological Biases to Promote Wise Investing
Princeton researchers examined psychological biases that play a role in poor investment decisions, and developed and tested a set of interventions to promote wise investing by mitigating these biases. Summary research results are now available in the Resource Center.

Grant Amount:
$77,400 Project Term:
24 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Research

Rutgers University School of Business Camden, NJ

Exploring Solutions to the Fund Assortment Problem
The Rutgers team examined the correlation between fund assortment and the quality of investment decisions. Through a national survey imitative of a 401(k) fund enrollment process, researchers studied the role demographic, attitudinal and decision-making styles play in decision quality. They also identified those investors most susceptible to mistakes and tested solutions to mitigate the problems created by large fund assortments in 401(k) plans. Summary research findings are posted in the Resource Center.

Grant Amount:
$73,404 Project Term:
24 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Research

WISE Senior Services Santa Monica, CA

Off the Hook Again: Understanding Why the Elderly are Victimized by Economic Fraud Crimes
WISE Senior Services and its research team conducted focus groups and surveys with victims and nonvictims to learn more about why the elderly are frequently victimized by investment fraud. Findings have advanced our understanding of fraud vulnerability among the elderly, and provided a basis for shaping practical marketing messages to increase investment fraud awareness among seniors. The project was a collaboration with AARP. Complete research findings and presentation materials are posted in the Resource Center.

Grant Amount:
$127,729 Project Term:
18 months Grant Cycle:
2004 General Type:
Research