Flagship The Stock Market Game™
A hands-on investing simulation. Teams manage a virtual $100,000 portfolio of real stocks, bonds and mutual funds from the NYSE and Nasdaq, with standards-aligned lessons for teachers.
Youth financial education since 1977
Helping young people understand the markets and plan their financial future
The SIFMA Foundation brings hands-on investing education to classrooms across the United States, free or at low cost. More than 23 million students have taken part since 1977.
23M+students since 1977750,000young people every year100%of Congress in the Capitol Hill Challenge17,000+industry volunteers
Our mission
The SIFMA Foundation is dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of the financial markets for individuals of all backgrounds.
The SIFMA Foundation is the nation's leader in youth financial education, filling critical gaps for communities nationwide since 1977. Through a portfolio of acclaimed programs, we have helped more than 23 million young people and their teachers and families become financially prepared for life and access the benefits of the capital markets.
Our online investing simulations and standards-based personal finance curriculum engage 750,000 young people every year. Roughly 90% of participants attend public schools, and nearly half of those schools qualify for federal assistance.
About the Foundation →Five programs, one learning path
Our programs
Every program builds on The Stock Market Game, our flagship investing simulation for grades 4–12.
I am
SMG InvestQuest™
A short investing experience focused on diversification and long-term investing. Start with $100,000 and make quarterly decisions over a simulated three-year market, at beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
InvestWrite®
A national writing competition for students in The Stock Market Game. Students write about long-term investing, teachers pick the best essays, and volunteer financial professionals judge the national round.
Capitol Hill Challenge™
Each spring, public middle and high schools are matched with their Senators and Representatives for a special edition of The Stock Market Game. The top 10 teams are honored at the U.S. Capitol.
Invest It Forward®
A skills-based volunteer program that connects financial professionals with Stock Market Game classrooms. Volunteers share their career paths and bring market concepts to life, in person or by video.
How they connect
One game at the center
The Stock Market Game is where most students start. SMG InvestQuest lets anyone try investing in half an hour; InvestWrite, the Capitol Hill Challenge and Invest It Forward take the game further with writing, civics and real professionals.
- SMG InvestQuest: a 30–40 minute taste of investing that anyone can play without registering.
- InvestWrite: students write an essay about long-term investing, judged by financial professionals.
- Capitol Hill Challenge: a spring edition of the game that matches public schools with their Members of Congress.
- Invest It Forward: financial professionals visit Stock Market Game classrooms, in person or by video.
Impact
Our impact Impact in numbers
23M+young people served since 1977
750,000students take part every year
100%of Congress has taken part in the Capitol Hill Challenge
17,000+financial professionals have volunteered
Figures from current SIFMA Foundation program websites; to be confirmed by SIFMA before launch.
Where to start
Find your way in
For educators
Lessons, a live simulation and support
- Register for The Stock Market Game
- Add InvestWrite to your class
- Request a volunteer speaker
For students & families
Try investing today, no sign-up
- Play SMG InvestQuest in 30 minutes
- Ask your teacher about the game
- Write an essay and win prizes
For volunteers
Volunteer in a classroom or online
- Speak to a class in person or by video
- Judge InvestWrite essays online
- Host a field trip at your firm
The Stock Market Game
Read about The Stock Market Game →I have been using the Stock Market Game with my students for about 14 years and what I love about the program is that it does not discriminate. The student participant can be from any background, any age, and they can find success and knowledge from this program.
Jason Majewski, High school teacher, Bethlehem Central High School, Delmar, NY
News
All news Latest from the programs
Congratulations to our 2025–2026 InvestWrite winners
Students competed among thousands to write the best essay in the country about long-term investing and capital markets.
Red Bank students earn 2nd place in national competition
Four Red Bank Charter School seventh-graders placed second in the 2026 Capitol Hill Challenge, competing against 7,300 students nationwide.
SIFMA Foundation launches free Family InvestQuest platform
A free investing platform helps families start financial conversations and understand long-term investing, including the new 530A accounts.
Supporters
All supporters →Made possible by our supporters
