Money Mentors

Money Mentors volunteers help community members achieve their financial goals.

Currently, the Money Mentors program is available in Champaign, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, McLean, Vermilion, Will, and Woodford counties. Mentors are available to help via phone, email, or online meeting. Sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, the Money Mentor program is a network of trained volunteers who work one-on-one with individuals who request help with personal money management.

Money Mentor volunteers build financial capacity in our local communities by providing financial education and coaching to individuals. In addition to mentoring, individuals work to increase financial capacity in local communities by providing community outreach through displays, community talks, or other outreach. For more information, please contact the Consumer Economics staff located at the bottom of this page.

How Can a Money Mentor Help Me?

Money Mentors are available to assist individuals with personal finance strategies, including:

  • Budgeting
  • Establishing Financial Goals
  • Building Savings
  • Managing Credit
  • Organizing Finances 


There is no cost to meet one-on-one with a Money Mentor. To be paired with a Money Mentor please fill out the registration form.

How Do I Become a Money Mentor?

You do not need to be a financial professional to be a mentor-we'll train you! Mentors receive approximately 30 hours of instruction during a 6-8 week training class. Training includes face-to-face classes as well as "homework". People who are well organized, good communicators, and an ability to work independently are encouraged to apply.

Mentor Volunteer Hours

It is the responsibility of each Money Mentor to record their volunteer hours. Please report all hours you work as a Money Mentor at volunteer.extension.illinois.edu/. You may want to bookmark and remember this link, which is available 24/7 and allows you to report your hours with ease. A tutorial is available on the website to help you through the process.

Money Mentors volunteer hours include these activities:

  • Appointments with Mentees
  • Planning and preparation to meet with Mentees
  • Doing community outreach through displays, community talks, and other projects
  • Participating on committee workgroups within University of Illinois Extension

Money Mentors continuing education hours include attending activities like these:

  • Money Mentors staff meetings
  • Talks, fairs, and other presentations in the community related to personal finance
  • Financial education events sponsored by University of Illinois Extension
  • Other events as approved by University of Illinois Extension
  • Other financial education events as approved

Mentee Participant Resources

Budgeting Excel Form
Plan and evaluate your spending. 

Dollars from Dimes
How do small, regular habits add up over time? Check out this worksheet! 

Finding and Using Community Resources  
Where to find a variety of community resources, including food banks, shelters, support for children or seniors, physical and mental health information, and even factual consumer information. 

Goal and Action Plan Worksheet
Create goals and decide on steps to take to improve your financial future. 

Inventory of Accounts
An inventory of financial accounts can be very helpful to family members when you are incapacitated or die. Too often assets go unclaimed because family members are not aware of financial assets. 

SMART Goals
You can write achievable financial goals. 

Weekly Expenses
Track how you spend your money. 

We're here to help.