Morgan Franklin Fellowship Foundation
Financial independence is the cornerstone of success.
At Morgan Franklin Fellowship, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to become financially independent. To support that mission, we have created exciting new opportunities to explore more about financial freedom.
The Morgan Franklin Fellowship (MFF) was formed with the mission of teaching how money works in real world situations – with real money. Our three-tier program introduces financial concepts and provides exposure to real-world investing. We provide these opportunities through financial literacy programs, mentoring and business opportunities..
The “Why” is Over 200 Years Old
Peter Morgan, the founder of MFF, believed in Benjamin Franklin’s idea to promote civic virtue through the power of compounding monetary interest. Franklin was certain that by investing in carefully constructed partnerships, even the smallest sums of money would grow, thus providing the foundation for the promotion of social philanthropy. He understood that offering financial support, no matter its size, would encourage civic responsibility.
In his will, Franklin left 1,000 pounds sterling each to the citizens of his native city of Boston and his adopted city of Philadelphia. He calculated how those funds would grow over a 200-year period and directed that the proceeds be used solely for philanthropic and civic improvements. Over the first hundred years after his death, microloans from the funds were given to entrepreneurs, and the two trusts grew substantially – Philadelphia’s to $100,000 and Boston’s to over $431,000.
His prediction came true. When the financial experiment ended in 1990, Philly had a value of $2 million and Boston $4.3 million.
With Franklin’s concept for building financial independence, Peter realized his for-profit businesses could create similar funding models to support the work of a non-profit, hence Morgan Franklin Fellowship Foundation.
“I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan and … makes the execution of that same plan his sole study.” – Benjamin Franklin
MFF Programs
Fundamentals of Financial Literacy
First-year students acquire the fundamentals of financial independence through budgeting, managing credit and financial planning knowledge, based on curriculum from the National Standards for Financial Literacy. The program is designed to easily fit into the lives of people with rigorous schedules, whether academic, work or extracurricular activities. Upon successful completion of the Fundamentals of Financial Literacy Curriculum, students earn the title Morgan Franklin Financial Fellow (MFF Fellow). As a MFF Fellow, you will gain access to additional learning opportunities, courses and projects. Earn your way toward our Level 02 program through accumulating Earn While You Learn points. Applying to Level 02 provides you with the ability to earn real money managing foundation funds while you learn.
Fundamentals of Investing
In Level 02, MFF Fellows learn the basics about investing. They learn terminology, gain knowledge about the stock market, test the boundaries of their risk tolerance and have the opportunity to earn real money through managing investment portfolios set up through the foundation.
The curriculum defines the essentials of understanding and making real-life investments. Fellows are encouraged to work with mentors from the world of finance and business to gain valuable knowledge not learned inside textbooks or online.
Fundamentals of Business and Finance
Fellows who make it to Level 03 follow their passions toward financial independence along three pathways:
- Advanced stock market investing
- Real estate investing (including commercial, residential, affordable housing and property management)
- Business and entrepreneurship
Check Out Our Latest Blog Posts
Liam’s Big 3 Business Thoughts – September 2019
By: Liam Deselle, 2016 Pioneer - MFF Fellow Liam and his Dad, Andy, like to read and discuss business news. Then they compile a list of the ones they feel will be a good read for and will benefit other Fellows. ~Enjoy Trade Wars We have certainly heard a lot about...
Ella’s School Shopping Spree
By Ella C. - 2019 MFF Fellow This weekend was my trip to Boston. My mother allowed me a five hundred dollar budget with the promise of what I did not spend I was able to keep. This is what I managed to buy! What I noticed while shopping is that brands heavily...
Book Club: Rich Dad, But Not Just The Book!
by Liam Deselle Life lessons, financial literacy, assets and liabilities, things they don't teach you in school. MFF Pioneer Fellow, Liam, knows he has a "rich dad." His Dad, Andy, mentors him through life lessons, his financial studies at Morgan Franklin Fellowship...
One Starfish Inspires the Journey
Everything that shapes and grows MFF is inspired by the journey of one individual, and sending that individual – or starfish – down the right path. Founder Peter Morgan believes that author Loren Eiseley’s short story below perfectly demonstrates the passion behind this project:
“Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out, ‘Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?’
The young man paused, looked up, and replied, ‘Throwing starfish into the ocean.’
‘I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?’ asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, ‘The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.’
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, ‘But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference.’
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, ‘It made a difference for that one.’”
Your financial future awaits you.
