Sharing the money knowledge we wish we'd had growing up.
Lilypad Learning Foundation is a student-led, Alberta-registered not-for-profit dedicated to empowering youth through financial literacy, delivered by peers, grounded in real stories, and measured every step of the way.
Five business students, one uncomfortable realization.
We were studying finance at the Haskayne School of Business, and still felt like nobody had ever taught us the basics of managing our own money.
Lilypad Learning was founded by five University of Calgary students who wanted to change that for the next generation. Combining lessons from our own experiences with what we've learned in the classroom, we built "Turn Your Cents Into Sense": a workshop that makes budgeting, debt and investing feel personal, practical and possible.
Our first pilots at Cardel Rec South confirmed what we suspected: youth are hungry for this. Participants left curious, confident and asking for more. Since then we've grown into a team of educators, curriculum designers and community builders, delivering workshops with schools and community organizations across Calgary and surrounding communities, including newcomer youth and Indigenous communities.
Empower youth to achieve financial literacy.
By welcoming and fostering a community of collaboration and relatability, we aim to redesign traditional financial literacy, making it more personal and more impactful.
A community lifted by each other's stories.
We envision a society that better understands unique financial challenges, where youth feel connected, empowered and educated, and are uplifted by the diverse perspectives and experiences of others.
Canadian youth are facing a financial literacy gap.
Young people are entering adulthood without the practical skills to make informed decisions about money, and it contributes to financial stress and long-term economic vulnerability.
of Canadian high schoolers are aware they lack the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.
of students don't understand fundamental concepts like debt.
of students believe their generation will be financially worse off than their parents.
Financial literacy, brought to life.
Rather than being told what to do, youth are invited into a conversation about why financial literacy matters now and how it empowers their future. Our workshops are built on three core principles.
Peer-led delivery
Our sessions are facilitated by University of Calgary students who are close in age and stage of life to the youth they teach. Students hear from young people who have navigated the same financial questions they're beginning to face.
Interactive & story-driven
Interactive activities and open conversations help students connect emotionally with the content, leading to better retention and greater motivation to actually apply what they learn.
Community-informed
We're committed to offering workshops within communities across Alberta, with a particular emphasis on underserved youth, and we incorporate community members' perspectives when developing our programming.
We don't just hope it works. We measure it.
In 2025 we hosted 13 financial literacy workshops reaching approximately 150 youth across Alberta. Our program evaluation (pre- and post-session surveys analyzed by our Director of Educational Psychology) shows measurable gains across all three pillars of financial literacy.
Statistically significant improvement
Overall financial literacy scores increased significantly after a single workshop (p < 0.001).
95% knowledge retention
Students averaged 95% on post-workshop knowledge assessments.
High financial confidence
59% of students reported high or highest confidence in managing their finances after one session.
Strong behavioural intent
72% expressed high or highest intention to take financial action, like opening a savings account or building a budget.
Statistical Report 2025
Read the full 2025 Statistical Report
Methodology, survey instruments and complete findings on financial confidence, knowledge and behaviours. Prepared by Skylar Earle, B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology Candidate, University of Calgary.
Download the reportWhat a Lilypad session looks like.
Delivered in trusted community spaces.
Collaboration with schools and local organizations lets us reach youth where they already learn and gather, reducing barriers to participation.
Lilypad Learning Foundation · Alberta Corporate Access Number 5027005866 · Business Number 770270569
Partner with us to build a financially confident future.
Whether you're a school, a community organization, or a sponsor who believes in economic empowerment, let's talk.