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Our History
History of Financial Foundations of America
Founding and Vision (2023)
Financial Foundations of Virginia was founded in 2023 in Suffolk, Virginia by David Swinson and Austin Hale. They were driven by a clear and pressing mission: to empower individuals through accessible, understandable financial education. The organization was built around the belief that everyone—regardless of age, background, or income—deserves to understand how money works and how to make informed decisions that lead to financial security.
From the beginning, Swinson and Hale were joined by Chris Phelps and Ken Kerr, forming the original team that began laying the foundation for the organization’s educational platform and operational strategy.
Mission and Core Philosophy
The founding team shared a deep commitment to education as a means of empowerment. From day one, they also recognized that the most scalable and relevant way to reach modern learners—especially younger and underserved communities—was through digital-first strategies. Online courses, virtual workshops, webinars, and social engagement were not afterthoughts, but built into the vision from the start.
This digital-first approach allowed the organization to reach far beyond what physical resources alone would permit, and it continues to guide the structure of every new initiative launched by the team.
Early Program Development
Throughout 2023, Financial Foundations of Virginia launched its first suite of educational seminars, online tools, and guidance resources. These programs were built to meet people where they are—whether that was learning the basics of budgeting, understanding credit, or preparing for major financial decisions like loans, investments, or buying a home.
Organizational Growth (2024)
In mid to late 2024, the team welcomed Lloyd Martinez as Chief Financial Officer. His arrival added depth to the organization’s financial operations, including budget planning, grant alignment, and long-term sustainability strategies.
Also during this period, the organization acquired the domain financialfoundationsofamerica.org, a move that signaled broader ambitions to scale its mission beyond Virginia, while continuing to strengthen its foundation at the state level.
National Rebrand (July 2025)
After two years of growth, community impact, and strategic planning, the organization officially rebranded as Financial Foundations of America in July 2025. The rebrand represented both a culmination of its initial success and a signal of its readiness to address financial literacy needs across the nation.
While the name changed, the mission did not. The rebranding allowed the team to amplify its digital strategy, pursue national partnerships, and scale outreach to underserved populations across state lines.
Digital Strategy & Social Media Presence
Since inception, the organization has placed digital engagement at the core of its mission. The team intentionally designed Financial Foundations as a digital-first nonprofit, recognizing that:
- The next generation of learners lives online.
- Online platforms offer scale, affordability, and accessibility.
- A digital ecosystem could outperform any single physical location in reach and relevance.
The organization’s social media platforms—built out as part of its early roadmap and actively expanding post-July 2025—include:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- YouTube
- Spotify (for podcasts and audio content)
These platforms are used to deliver financial education, promote events, share coaching tools, and highlight stories of transformation. The team continues to invest in their expansion and envisions additional channels and formats in the future.
Timeline of Key Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Founded by David Swinson and Austin Hale in Suffolk, Virginia |
| Late 2023 | First seminars and digital course launches |
| Mid–Late 2024 | CFO Lloyd Martinez joins; FFoA domain acquired |
| July 2025 | Official rebrand to Financial Foundations of America |
| 2025–Present | National digital expansion; broader platform development and partnerships |
Leadership Team
- David Swinson – President & Executive Director
- Austin Hale – General Counsel
- Chris Phelps – Director of Educational Content
- Ken Kerr – Director of Network Administration
- Lloyd Martinez – Chief Financial Officer (joined 2024)
Looking Ahead
As Financial Foundations of America moves into the next chapter of its journey, it remains rooted in the values that began in Virginia:
- Clear, empowering financial education
- Equitable access for all
- Digital-first delivery with real-world impact
The team continues to evolve its content, deepen its partnerships, and extend its reach—while staying true to the mission that launched it.
