Save Up Program

Because of your support, families across Memphis are taking meaningful steps toward financial stability and long-term success. Recently, RISE Memphis had the opportunity to connect with families at the Memphis Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Vision Board Meeting, where participants spent an afternoon focused on vision, encouragement, and empowerment. Many learned about the Save Up Program’s powerful 2:1 savings match and the free financial counseling available through the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center. For many families, it was the first time they realized that building savings and reaching long-term financial goals could truly be within reach.

We also celebrated a major milestone as a new group of participants graduated from our January Save Up class. These individuals stayed committed throughout the program and are now equipped with the tools to take the next steps toward their financial goals. Thanks to our banking partner, Orion Financial, participants also gained valuable knowledge about building strong banking relationships and using financial products wisely. These lessons help participants not only save money, but also build confidence and make informed financial decisions that will impact their families for years to come.

The true impact of your generosity is seen in the personal stories that emerge from the program. One participant’s journey reminds us that success is often built through persistence. After not being selected during her first attempt, she returned with determination and earned her place in the program. With the support she received, she invested in equipment to strengthen her small business and enrolled in training opportunities to expand her entrepreneurial skills. Today, her business is thriving and she continues to grow both professionally and personally. Her story shows how resilience combined with opportunity can transform lives.

Another participant, Ms. Jones, joined Save Up in October 2024 with a clear goal: to complete her post-secondary education. She remained focused and disciplined throughout the program, steadily building her savings. By December 2025, she reached her savings goal and is now preparing to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. This is what saving with intention looks like. Because of donors like you, individuals like Ms. Jones are not just saving money—they are graduating, launching businesses, and building brighter futures for themselves and their families. Thank you for making these life-changing opportunities possible.

Links:

• http://www.risememphis.org

Entrepreneurship often begins with a dream — but turning that dream into reality takes more than passion. It takes planning, discipline, and financial know-how.

That’s why programs like Save Up, which combine a savings match initiative with financial education, are so powerful. Take Ms. Landrum, for example. After completing a financial education class, she began saving towards her entrepreneurial goals. With a clear budget, new financial confidence, and her esthetician certification, Ms. Landrum was able to use her funds to pay for space for her business, Luxe Lashes and Beauty Spa.

This story reminds us that financial education fuels empowerment — and when combined with the right resources, it helps entrepreneurs turn smart saving into sustainable success.