About Us

Team of financial educators in El Salvador office

Our Story

The National Financial Literacy Program of El Salvador was founded in 2015 by a coalition of economists, educators, and government officials who recognized a critical gap in the country's educational system. Following the economic instability that affected many Salvadoran families in the early 2010s, it became evident that a lack of financial knowledge was contributing to cycles of debt and economic vulnerability throughout the nation.

Our founding team, led by economist Dr. Rafael Menéndez and educator María Guadalupe Fuentes, secured initial funding through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador. What began as a pilot program in 20 schools in San Salvador has since expanded to a comprehensive national initiative reaching hundreds of thousands of citizens across all 14 departments of El Salvador.

In 2019, we established our headquarters in San Salvador's financial district, creating a central hub for curriculum development, teacher training, and program administration. The adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador in 2021 presented both challenges and opportunities for our organization, leading to the rapid development of specialized educational modules on cryptocurrency and digital financial tools.

Today, the National Financial Literacy Program operates as a public-private partnership, combining government funding with support from international organizations and the private sector. Our commitment to advancing financial education for all Salvadorans remains at the heart of everything we do, as we continue to innovate and expand our reach across the country.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower all Salvadorans with the financial knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make informed decisions throughout their lives. We believe that financial literacy is not merely a set of skills but a fundamental right that enables individuals to achieve economic security and pursue their dreams.

We are committed to developing and delivering high-quality, accessible financial education that addresses the unique economic context of El Salvador and meets the diverse needs of our population—from school children to seniors, urban professionals to rural farmers, entrepreneurs to employees.

Financial literacy workshop in rural El Salvador

Our Values

Accessibility

We believe financial education should be available to all Salvadorans regardless of location, background, or economic status. Our programs are designed to be accessible across various platforms and adaptable to different learning needs.

Practical Relevance

We focus on providing knowledge and skills that participants can immediately apply to their daily lives, addressing real financial challenges and opportunities within the Salvadoran context.

Innovation

We continuously evolve our teaching methodologies and content to embrace new financial technologies, trends, and best practices in education, ensuring our programs remain current and effective.

Collaboration

We partner with educational institutions, government agencies, financial organizations, and community groups to maximize our impact and create sustainable financial education initiatives.

Empowerment

Beyond providing information, we aim to instill confidence and agency, empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures and make decisions aligned with their goals and values.

Integrity

We maintain the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct in all our operations, ensuring our educational content is unbiased, accurate, and trustworthy.

Our Leadership Team

Meet the dedicated professionals guiding our mission to improve financial literacy across El Salvador

Dr. Isabella Martínez

Executive Director

With over 20 years of experience in economic development and education policy, Dr. Martínez leads our organization's strategic vision and operations. She previously served as an advisor to the Ministry of Economy and holds a PhD in Economic Development from Universidad Centroamericana.

Carlos Rodriguez

Director of Educational Programs

Carlos oversees the development and implementation of our curriculum across all educational levels. A former high school economics teacher with 15 years in education, he brings practical classroom experience and a deep understanding of effective teaching methodologies.

Gabriela Hernandez

Director of Digital Innovation

Gabriela leads our digital education initiatives, including our online learning platform and cryptocurrency education programs. With a background in fintech and a Master's in Educational Technology, she is passionate about leveraging technology to expand financial education access.

Jorge Delgado

Director of Community Outreach

Jorge coordinates our rural and underserved community programs, ensuring financial education reaches all Salvadorans. With extensive experience in community development and a deep connection to rural El Salvador, he has been instrumental in expanding our program's national reach.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2015, we've made significant progress in advancing financial literacy throughout El Salvador

1

National Reach

Our programs now operate in all 14 departments of El Salvador, reaching over 500,000 citizens annually through schools, community centers, and digital platforms.

2

Educational Integration

Our financial literacy curriculum has been officially integrated into the national education system, reaching students in over 800 schools across El Salvador.

3

Certified Educators

We've trained and certified more than 2,000 financial education instructors who now teach throughout the country, creating a sustainable network of knowledge.

4

Digital Transformation

Our online learning platform serves over 100,000 users, making financial education accessible even in remote areas with limited educational resources.

5

Cryptocurrency Education Leadership

Following El Salvador's Bitcoin adoption, we developed the country's first comprehensive cryptocurrency education program, which has since been recognized internationally.

6

Measurable Impact

Independent assessment shows participants in our programs demonstrate a 68% improvement in financial knowledge and a 45% increase in positive financial behaviors.

What People Say

Hear from the individuals and organizations who have benefited from our financial literacy programs

Ana Sofia Campos

Elementary School Teacher, San Miguel

"Implementing the Financial Literacy Program in my classroom has transformed how my students think about money. The curriculum is engaging and age-appropriate, with activities that make financial concepts tangible for young learners. I've noticed my students not only understanding basic financial principles but also sharing what they learn with their families. Parents frequently tell me about 'money conversations' their children initiate at home. This program is creating a generational shift in financial awareness."

Miguel Portillo

Small Business Owner, La Libertad

"As someone who started my business without any formal financial training, the entrepreneurial workshop series was life-changing. I learned practical skills in cash flow management, pricing strategy, and business planning that I applied immediately. Within six months, my profits increased by 30%, and I finally have organized financial records. The most valuable aspect was the personalized mentoring that helped me address specific challenges in my furniture business. I now feel confident making financial decisions that will support long-term growth."

Luisa Morales

Retiree, Sonsonate

"At 67 years old, I never thought I would learn to use digital banking or understand Bitcoin, but the senior financial workshop changed that. The patient instructors took time to explain concepts clearly and provided hands-on practice with mobile banking apps. Now I manage my retirement funds digitally, send money to my grandchildren without fees, and even made my first small Bitcoin investment. I appreciate how the program respected our pace as older learners while still empowering us to participate in El Salvador's changing financial landscape."

Join Our Mission

Whether you're interested in attending a workshop, bringing our program to your school or organization, or supporting our work, we'd love to hear from you.

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