Manatee Chamber Seeks Volunteers for Big Bank Theory Financial Literacy Program
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is calling on community members to volunteer for its Big Bank Theory program, set to return to local high schools this November. The initiative, now a cornerstone of financial literacy education in the county, reaches every 12th-grade student and equips them with real-world budgeting skills.
The Big Bank Theory provides students with a fictional profile of themselves at age 25, including an assigned income, family situation, and career. Students then navigate financial choices by creating a budget and visiting stations staffed by local business volunteers. At each station, volunteers guide them through decisions about housing, transportation, insurance, utilities, childcare, and other essentials, demonstrating how everyday choices impact financial stability.
The program will launch November 3–4 at Bayshore High and continue at high schools throughout the county through February 2026. Upcoming sessions include Manatee High, Southeast High, Palmetto High, Braden River High, Parrish Community High, Team Success, Lakewood Ranch High, and Manatee School for the Arts. Additional dates may be available as more charter and private schools join the program.
More than 400 volunteers are needed to make the program possible. Volunteers may choose to serve in the morning, afternoon, or for the full day. No prior training is required, though optional preparation sessions are available.
Since its introduction in Manatee County in 2012, the Big Bank Theory has reached thousands of high school seniors. Developed by the Manatee Chamber’s Education and Workforce Partnership, the program was created in response to concerns from local employers and educators that young adults were graduating without practical financial skills. Over the past decade, the Big Bank Theory has grown into one of the Chamber’s most impactful community initiatives, with local businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders volunteering year after year.
Organizers stress that the success of the program depends on community participation. By volunteering, residents play a direct role in preparing the next generation to make informed financial decisions and enter adulthood with greater confidence.
