Our impact
What free financial education has changed.
GoVA Foundation gives military families a free place to learn about money, funded by bank and corporate partners. Here is what that has added up to so far.
Who we reach
- More than 11,000members on The EdgeRegistered Edge Users, GoVA Foundation.
- All 50 statesand Puerto Rico, where members liveRegistered Edge Users, GoVA Foundation.
Real results
Members in their own words.
- 23-point average credit score improvement among members with tracked credit activity The Edge member data (2026).
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Improved his credit score and bought a home.
Kelvin B. Navy Veteran Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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- 51.9% of members who retook the financial stress assessment reported lower stress GoVA platform data (2026).
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No longer lives paycheck-to-paycheck.
Linda C. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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More results from our members
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Paid off her mortgage and her car loan.
Shanna R. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Sold a business and headed into retirement debt-free.
Curtis Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Facing a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, organized everything she needed to protect her family.
Suzanne T. Veteran Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Won third place in the Fresh Start Contest, saving for a honeymoon twelve years in the waiting.
Marissa A. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Earned the highest XP of any Edge member in February.
Onoriode U. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Was January’s top Edge member, with 1,020 XP.
Esto J. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
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Won second place in the Fresh Start Contest, saving for her children’s college and to pay off her mortgage sooner.
Suzanna S. Edge member Read their words on Instagramopens Instagram in a new tab
Follow our members' stories on Instagram opens Instagram in a new tab
By the numbers
- 4,600+members added in 2026GoVA platform data, January 1 to November 7, 2026.
- 2,300+courses completedGoVA platform data, as of November 2026.
- 3,800+financial wellness checkups completedGoVA platform data, as of November 2026.
- 5,500+members have taken the financial stress assessmentGoVA platform data (2026).
- 260,000+interactions with The Edge’s financial toolsGoVA platform data, as of November 2026.
Our bank partners
- more than 20bank partners
- 100%renewal among prior-year bank partners
Bank partners have received CRA consideration for this program at examination. GoVA documents community development activity; examiners determine CRA credit.
Our mission is to enrich lives by serving others. By staying connected to our communities and partnering with GoVA, we’re helping close it with tools that support financial readiness and long-term stability.
Parke Bank is proud to stand alongside GoVA in their mission to make a difference in our community. This grant will help provide vital financial education to veterans and military families, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to build a stronger financial future.
Where we’ve presented
March 6, 2026
“Financial Health, Mental Wealth,” a National Consumer Protection Week webinar with the Federal Trade Commission, FINVET and Dr. Eric Elbogen.
Source: GoVA Foundation post.
August 1, 2025
An info session with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) on fraud protection for military and Veteran families, for Military Consumer Month, featuring Terri Miller of the FTC.
Source: the GoVA news archive.
March 19, 2025
The FDIC invited GoVA Foundation to present The Edge to Atlanta-area banks, one of a series of virtual presentations to banks in 2025.
Source: GoVA Foundation post and a later post in the series.
November 13, 2024
GoVA Foundation presented alongside the FDIC and the U.S. Small Business Administration at their virtual event, “Promoting Savings and Building Credit for Military Families.”
Source: GoVA Foundation post.
Why financial readiness matters
A July 2026 study in JAMA Network Open, led by Dr. Eric Elbogen of Duke University and the VA's National Veterans Financial Resource Center, found that financial stress was a strong, independent predictor of veteran suicide, even after accounting for depression, PTSD and substance use. It also found that link was weaker among veterans connected to care, which is why we connect military families to education and support early.
Read the study Read Duke's summary
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255.