Kindergartners in Darby, MT, are not just starting school this fall, they're starting to save for college. Three years ago, a group of locals formed Darby Brilliant Beginnings (DBB) and partnered with Bitterroot Community FCU to establish the first automatic savings account program in Montana. Since 2015, the DBB program has set up and deposited $100 into a college savings account at the credit union for each student entering kindergarten in the Darby Public School District. Students and their family members can contribute up to $2,500 per year into their account, and the money in that account can only be spent on costs related to higher education or career advancement. Bitterroot Community holds and manages the DBB accounts, President/CEO Kathy Transue is currently on the DBB board, and the credit union also makes an annual donation to the nonprofit and participates in other fundraising efforts.

So, why did the people in this small Montana community decide to make such a long-term commitment and investment in their young students? First, it's a great way to introduce financial education into the classroom and help kids learn about money. Second, research has shown that when kids know they have money set aside for college or career advancement, they are much more likely to continue their education after high school. What a great initiative!