This Marin County blog post profiles TeenNavigate, a student-run nonprofit based in Mill Valley. The group teaches financial literacy to high school students prepping for college and offers scholarships.
Founded by two local teens, the program brings in local mentors, donors, and a hands-on online process. It aims to help Marin County students from Sausalito to San Rafael plan for their financial futures.
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The organization has already raised strong community support and enrolled dozens of students around Tamalpais Valley, Corte Madera, and Larkspur. They’re looking to grow across Marin and beyond.
A locally grown mission in Marin County
TeenNavigate runs free for participants, making sure students in Mill Valley, Tiburon, and the North Bay can access the program. So far, about 35 students have joined, and the group has raised $21,000 from local financial firms and businesses.
Scholarships range from $500 to $3,000. They’ll hand out the awards in June after the application window closes, with hopefuls from Marin City to Novato and everywhere in between.
Families and schools in Sausalito, Fairfax, and San Rafael have welcomed TeenNavigate’s online format. It keeps weekday schedules flexible for busy students in the greater Marin area.
The program’s impact stretches from the wine country of Larkspur to Tiburon’s waterfront. Teens in Marin’s diverse communities get a boost to think about money, careers, and STEM paths.
Founders and inspiration
Two Mill Valley residents started TeenNavigate: Cole Lawson, a junior at Tamalpais High School, and Wyatt Janover, a junior at Marin Catholic High School. Both live in Mill Valley, which feels like a hub for youth leadership in Marin County.
Lawson got the idea from an online investing program at Wharton and wanted to provide expert interviews and resources about finance and STEM careers to high schoolers. Their goal? Connect local success stories with real guidance for peers across Marin.
The founders point out that the program includes interviews with successful local businesspeople. These guests highlight steps to achievement and why financial literacy matters for launching careers, whether in San Rafael’s tech scene or manufacturing in Corte Madera and Ross Valley.
How TeenNavigate works
The online process is straightforward and unfolds in three steps. First, participants complete a financial literacy lesson.
Next, they take a brief quiz. Finally, they tackle a hypothetical financial case study where they advise on investing, spending, or saving decisions.
A panel of student and adult judges reviews the case-study responses. Prizes follow a three-tier structure: first place up to $3,000, second place up to $2,000, third place up to $1,000, and some $500 awards as well.
Lawson says the program’s real value comes from the conversations it sparks and the practical insights it teaches. Students learn about budgeting for college, understanding loans, and handling credit—stuff you wish someone had told you sooner.
Mentorship and real-world examples give students in Novato, San Rafael, and beyond a way to connect academic lessons to careers in finance and STEM.
Impact and expansion plans
Operating in a county as varied as Marin means purposeful growth. Lawson and Janover say their work has taught them a lot about outreach and scaling, and honestly, getting participants isn’t always easy.
They’re teaming up with about 40 schools and several nonprofits to broaden their reach, including groups in Sausalito, Tiburon, and Corte Madera. The team’s eager to welcome more participants and donors as they build a sustainable pipeline for financial literacy across Marin City, San Anselmo, Ross, and San Rafael.
If you’re curious about getting involved or just want to learn more, TeenNavigate.org has info on how to participate, donate, or partner. The program’s expanding across Marin County—from Mill Valley to the east side near San Rafael and Novato.
Get involved in Marin
Are you a student, parent, or maybe a local business hoping to support financial literacy or STEM opportunities for Marin County teens? TeenNavigate offers a few ways to jump in and help out.
- Students: Sign up for the free program. Just complete the three-step online process, and you could earn a scholarship.
- Donors: Offer scholarships or sponsor the program. Your support lets more Marin students access financial literacy education.
- Schools: Join forces with TeenNavigate and help open doors for teens across Marin County, from Sausalito and San Rafael all the way to Novato.
- Mentors: Got experience in finance or STEM? Share what you know in interview series or intro sessions for Marin teens.
TeenNavigate started in Mill Valley and now reaches into Larkspur, Corte Madera, and other nearby towns. It’s a pretty cool example of how Marin communities can come together for youth-led projects that help teens build real-world skills and explore future careers.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County teen nonprofit promotes financial skills
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