FinFe$t: Financial Empowerment at NJIT

Hosted in partnership with the Dfree Foundation, City of Newark, Prudential, and RWJBarnabas Health

Initiatives

About FinFe$t 2025 at NJIT

FinFe$t is a financial literacy event that empowers students and community members with essential skills in budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning. It reflects NJIT’s strong commitment to community engagement and economic empowerment through local partnerships.

Empowering Communities Through Financial Wellness

FinFe$t 2025 at NJIT was hosted and made possible by the Office of Public and Community Affairs, bringing together students, Newark residents, and community leaders for a full day of interactive learning focused on financial empowerment. Through strategic partnerships and thoughtful planning, the event featured over 17 workshops and panel sessions on topics such as budgeting, investing, debt reduction, and wellness. This initiative reflects the Office’s ongoing commitment to connecting the university with the Newark community and providing meaningful resources that promote financial stability and long-term success.

Collaborative Partnerships at the Core

The event was made possible through strong partnerships with key Newark-based organizations including the Dfree Foundation, Prudential, RWJBarnabas Health, and the City of Newark. The presence of Newark Council President Larry Crump and representatives from corporate and nonprofit sectors demonstrated a shared commitment to improving financial literacy and quality of life for the community.

Engagement Zone: Turning Insights Into Action

The Office of Public and Community Affairs hosted an interactive Engagement Zone at the event, which included:

  • A Vision Wall, where attendees posted their personal financial goals

  • A Takeaway Ticket activity to capture key learnings from the sessions

  • A playful but impactful FinFe$t Bingo to encourage workshop participation

  • A digital station promoting NJIT initiatives and community programs

One of the highlights of the Engagement Zone was a visit from the President of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Darrell K. Terry Sr., who stopped by the NJIT Office of Public and Community Affairs table to meet with student volunteers. Their presence underscored the strong community partnerships that make FinFe$t possible and reinforced the shared mission of promoting wellness, equity, and empowerment across Newark.

Building Lasting Impact

FinFe$t 2025 highlighted the power of strategic collaboration between higher education, municipal government, and local organizations to create positive social outcomes. The event reinforced NJIT’s role as an anchor institution committed to community development, financial equity, and public engagement.