Financial markets, explained in the classroom.
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.
The Stock Market Game™Investing simulation for grades 4–12 and adults
600,000+students every yearDetails →
SMGIQ
SMG InvestQuest™30–40 minute investing challenge, no sign-up
30–40 minto play, no sign-upDetails →
IW
InvestWrite®National essay competition for SMG students
300,000students have submitted essaysDetails →
CHC
Capitol Hill Challenge™Public schools matched with their Members of Congress
8,500+school–Congress matches since 2004Details →
IIF
Invest It Forward®Financial professionals volunteer in classrooms
17,000+volunteers have supported SMG classroomsDetails →
Figures from current program sites; SIFMA to confirm.
About each program
SMGThe Stock Market Game™Grades 4–12, post-secondary, adults
A hands-on investing simulation that builds financial confidence through experience. Using a virtual $100,000 portfolio, participants research real stocks, bonds and mutual funds, make investment decisions, and track how market events move their portfolio, all in a risk-free environment.
- Who
- Grades 4–12, college, adults
- Portfolio
- $100,000 virtual
- Teams
- 2–5 students
- Length
- Several weeks to a school year
SMGIQSMG InvestQuest™Anyone; great for classes
An interactive investment simulation that challenges you to think strategically, diversify your assets and plan for the long term. It gives a glimpse of The Stock Market Game in a single sitting, as a standalone activity or a warm-up for the full game.
- Who
- Anyone, no age limit
- Time
- 30–40 minutes
- Starting cash
- $100,000 virtual
- Simulated time
- 3 years, in quarters
IWInvestWrite®SMG students, grades 4–12
An innovative national writing competition offered exclusively to teachers and 4th–12th grade students in The Stock Market Game. Students turn what they learned into an essay about long-term investing, and thousands of financial professionals volunteer to judge it.
- Who
- SMG students, grades 4–12
- Divisions
- 4–5 · 6–8 · 9–12
- Format
- Individual essay
- Fall 2026 deadline
- Wed, Dec 9
CHCCapitol Hill Challenge™Public middle and high schools
A national financial education competition that reaches every U.S. Congressional district. Student teams manage a hypothetical $100,000 portfolio, learn how markets and policy connect, and meet the Members of Congress who represent them.
- Who
- Public middle and high schools
- Selection
- By invitation, Title I priority
- Teams
- Up to 15 per school, 3–5 students
- Portfolio
- $100,000 hypothetical
IIFInvest It Forward®Financial professionals and SMG educators
Invest It Forward connects volunteers with teachers and classrooms to expose students to new career pathways and deepen their understanding of the financial industry. Over 17,000 volunteers have helped bring financial education and career exploration to life.
- Volunteers
- Financial professionals at SIFMA member firms
- Classrooms
- Grades 4–12 playing SMG
- Format
- In person or video chat
- Session
- About 45–60 minutes
Financial education for every student
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.
Our history and team →The Stock Market Game begins. It has since grown from a paper-based stock-picking contest into an online trading platform with bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and a full curriculum.
InvestWrite and the Capitol Hill Challenge launch, adding writing and civics to the game.
Learning Point Associates, now the American Institutes for Research, runs a FINRA-funded randomized study of the game in nearly 600 classrooms.
Schools from every congressional district take part in the Capitol Hill Challenge.
Invest It Forward launches to connect financial professionals with classrooms.
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
Recent announcements
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.
Capitol Hill Challenge announces its 2026 top 10 schools
7,300 students competed in this year's 14-week competition. The ten top-performing teams will be honored at a June 10 reception at the U.S. Capitol.
2026 Capitol Hill Challenge launches in every congressional district
The annual competition pairs Members of Congress with up to two public schools each, with support from a three-year, $1.2 million Charles Schwab Foundation grant.
Volunteer, partner or donate
Financial professionals volunteer through Invest It Forward and judge InvestWrite essays. Firms and individuals fund free access for high-need schools.