Financial Futures Collective Launches in Greater Lowell
The free 8-week program started in March 2026 in the Highlands neighborhood of Lowell, combining peer support and personalized coaching to help women build savings, increase income, and improve credit scores.
Women’s Money Matters (WMM), a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that empowers women and girls living on low incomes to improve their financial health, is launching a Financial Futures Collective. The eight-week program meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 PM at 580 Chelmsford St., Lowell, MA – community space generously provided by the Lowell Housing Authority (LHA). The program covers essential topics including building and fixing credit, fighting fraud, creating sustainable spending plans, and setting long-term financial goals. Each participant is matched with a personal coach who supports them in reaching their financial goals. The free program begins March 18, 2026, and is open to women ages 22 and older in the Greater Lowell area. Participants do not need to be an LHA resident to participate.
The Financial Futures Collective addresses a critical need in Greater Lowell, where 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line (more than 1.5 times the Massachusetts rate) and more than 12% of families are living in poverty. Women living on low incomes face systemic barriers to financial stability, from the gender wage gap to limited access to quality financial guidance. Unlike traditional financial literacy classes that focus solely on knowledge, WMM’s approach combines group workshops with personalized one-on-one coaching and peer support, creating a comprehensive program where women and girls living on low incomes build both skills and confidence alongside a supportive community.
“What makes this program transformative is the community women gain: dedicated coaches who truly partner with them, and fellow participants who understand their journey,” said Carla Poulos, Associate Director of Programs and Advocacy at Women’s Money Matters. “When women have people walking alongside them, supporting them every step of the way, that’s when we see real, measurable change, not just in their bank accounts, but in their confidence and sense of what’s possible for their futures.”
Past Financial Futures graduates have achieved measurable results: participants increased their savings by 254% on average, raised their monthly income by 26%, and improved their credit scores by an average of 40 points. Beyond the numbers, 96% of graduates report feeling confident in their ability to manage their finances at program completion.
The Financial Futures Collective program brings together women from across the Greater Lowell region for group workshops and individual coaching, creating a supportive environment where participants learn from both expert coaches and each other. The program is completely free, with no prerequisites or financial requirements to join.
This expansion into Greater Lowell builds on WMM’s 16-year track record of reaching more than 3,000 women and girls across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and beyond. In fiscal year 2025 alone, WMM reached 1,207 women through financial wellness programs and wraparound services.