Securities Education Trust Fund (SETF) Instructional Guide and Application

Michigan, Uniform Securities Act (2002), Section 605, MCL 451.2601

The Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL) supports business growth and job creation while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Michigan's citizens through a simple, fair, efficient, and transparent regulatory structure.

Non-profit, 501(c)(3), groups that provide investment education within Michigan’s communities.

Of interest to CSCL Bureau are projects that:

• Expand the body of knowledge and/or provide practical materials that will have a positive impact on investor
  education or protection.
• Research methods to improve disclosure to investors about investments and financial services.
• Encourage investors to check the background of financial professionals prior to doing business with them.
• Encourage Michigan investors to take control of their financial future through investor education.
• Advance practice, policy, and thought in the fields of investor education and protection.

The Bureau seeks to fund projects that advance its mission through:

• Securities investment educational projects or programs. Funding is for programs that respond to an unmet financial education, investor education or investor protection need for a target audience.
• Research. Funding is for research that expands the body of knowledge and offers solutions in the field of financial education, investor education and investor protection.
• Combination of research and educational program. Funding is available for initiatives that lead with a research element and follow with a high-impact financial education, investor education or investor protection project based upon the results of the research.

The highest amount each grantee can request per application is $50,000. Grants will be awarded based upon the merit of the program, other resources and the number of individuals educated in investment related topics.

Eligible applicants are non-profit, 501(c)(3), groups that provide investment education within Michigan communities.

Activities in the grant will need to be completed within 365 days of the delivery start date.

Grant funds may be used to purchase any appropriate educational resources, software materials, or equipment for instruction geared towards investment securities. Certain items will not be funded, such as video cameras and unrelated events/workshops.

Grant requests will be accepted throughout the year. The Final report must be submitted to CSCL within 10 days of the last day of grant activity (LARA Grant Contract 1.4.C). The final report must include measurable project outcomes and a financial accounting of the actual program expenditures (LARA Grant Contract 1.4.C.3). See Sample LARA Grant Contract template. Failure to submit either the outcome report or the financial report will forfeit future grant award consideration.

Submit Grant Application 3 months prior to grant implementation.

More information regarding the Grant Application process can be found here.

Submitted applications are not a guarantee funds will be provided.

Securities Education Trust Fund (SETF) Application