Downtown LA Family Financial Literacy & College Pathways Pilot

A collaborative, place-based initiative bringing together families, creativity, college savings, and higher education access in Downtown Los Angeles.

The Big Idea

Majestic Art Gallery is proposing a community-centered pilot that helps families begin planning for their children’s educational futures through a welcoming, creative, and informative experience.

By combining art-making, financial literacy, and higher education resources, this initiative creates a low-pressure entry point for families to explore college savings pathways and learn what educational opportunities are available to them and their children over time.

This is not a one-time workshop. It is designed as a relationship-driven engagement pipeline rooted in trust, access, and long-term possibility.

How the Pilot Works

Each session is hosted in Downtown Los Angeles and designed to be family-friendly, intergenerational, and accessible.

1. Creative Art Experience
Families and children participate in a guided art activity that invites reflection on goals, dreams, and future aspirations. Art serves as the on-ramp, helping families feel comfortable, engaged, and open to learning together.

2. Financial Literacy & College Savings
ScholarShare 529 provides an educational overview of college savings options, how 529 plans work, and how families can begin planning at their own pace. All participation is informational and opt-in, with no pressure to enroll.

3. Higher Education Pathways
ASU Local shares information about education pathways, youth programs, and resources that help families better understand what higher education access can look like long before application season.

    • Families with children (elementary through middle school focus)

    • Downtown Los Angeles residents, workers, and school communities

    • Families interested in learning more about education and long-term planning, regardless of current income or prior knowledge

    • Many families want to plan for their children’s futures but lack access to clear, trusted information about saving for college or navigating higher education systems.

      This pilot meets families where they are by:

      • Reducing intimidation around financial and educational systems

      • Creating a positive, shared family experience

      • Introducing long-term planning as something hopeful, attainable, and human

      The Downtown LA focus reinforces this work as a place-based goodwill effort that strengthens community trust and opportunity.

Partner Value Snapshot

    • Clear, trustworthy information about college savings

    • Early exposure to higher education resources

    • A welcoming environment that centers creativity and possibility

    • Community-based engagement with families actively thinking about education

    • High-trust, values-aligned outreach

    • Educational exposure without transactional pressure

    • Early pipeline engagement with families and future students

    • Reinforces ASU’s role as a neighborhood-based education partner

    • Mission-aligned community goodwill in Downtown Los Angeles

    • Advances its mission of helping families build educational wealth through art

    • Serves as connector and facilitator across systems

    • Builds a scalable, replicable engagement model

Pilot Structure (Proposed)

  • Format: In-person, family-centered sessions

  • Location: ASU Local (Downtown Los Angeles)

  • Length: 90 minutes

  • Frequency: Initial pilot of 2–3 sessions

  • Approach: Educational, opt-in, relationship-focused

Let’s Explore What’s Possible

This pilot is designed to be collaborative, flexible, and responsive to partner goals. It can be adapted, expanded, or replicated based on shared learning and community needs.

If you’re interested in exploring this initiative further or discussing potential alignment, we’d love to start with a conversation.

Start the Conversation