Closing the opportunity gap for young women of color
Our approach is holistic: financial education, mentorship and a community that grows with you.
OUR VISION:
By 2030, we aim to equip 25,000 young women of color with the tools, funding, and community to build financially secure, purpose-driven lives.
Our Story
FRNDS Inc. was created by a group of friends who saw how poor financial education, bad credit, and limited resources can shape someone’s future. Many of us grew up in communities where money wasn’t openly discussed or where opportunities felt out of reach. Some of us were fortunate to receive early guidance from parents, mentors, or programs that provided us with some direction.
As we moved through school, jobs, and adulthood, we realized how many young women of color were navigating these same transitions alone. FRNDS was built to change that.
Originating in Boston in 2020, FRNDS Inc. is a nonprofit that helps young women build strong financial foundations, pursue higher education, and prepare for meaningful careers. Through our three pathways: Financial Freedom, Beyond, and Level Up—we provide real-world education, mentorship, and community that meet students where they are and grow with them. We believe in the power of preparation, representation, and support. Every young woman deserves the chance to build a future she’s proud of.
Our mission is to close the opportunity gap by providing young women with personalized financial education, academic guidance, and career mentorship. We meet students at the age where direction matters most, when confidence is built, habits are formed, and futures take shape.
Our approach is practical and personal. We connect young women with mentors who guide them through our three pathway programs: Financial Freedom, Beyond, and Level Up. Each program provides real-world tools and personalized support, and students are incentivized to reach key milestones, because growth should be celebrated, and every step forward builds lasting confidence.
Since 2020, over 1000+ students from high schools and colleges across the U.S. have participated in FRNDS pathway programs, building financial confidence, academic clarity, and professional skills that last.
In 2016, two friends financed their first cars after college. One ended up paying $75 more monthly for a car worth $30,000 less—all because of her limited credit history and a high interest rate. That moment was more than just a frustrating financial mistake. It was a light bulb moment.
It revealed how early financial education—or the lack of it—can shape someone's future. That realization became the spark for FRNDS. A reminder that real change starts with real knowledge.