#USA #Des Moines #Principal Foundation #Money Chronicles #Trove

Principal Foundation's 2025 Short Story Contest

The Principal Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization striving to empower communities toward financial security, has released the results of its third annual national short story contest, Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative. This year, Cedric Rose from Cincinnati, Ohio, clinched the top prize with his evocative story titled "Trove," which delves into the complexities of working-class life and the impact of wealth on a child's worldview. The contest aims to leverage storytelling as a means to destigmatize discussions around money and personal finance.

Jo Christine Miles, the director of the Principal Foundation, highlighted the profound connection between individual identities and financial realities: "Each year, the stories we receive remind us just how deeply money shapes identity, belonging, and opportunity. This year's collection poignantly explored how unequal access to financial resources, the unspoken rules that guide financial behavior, and the emotional journey towards stability influence our confidence in handling financial matters."

Founded in 2023 in collaboration with Short Édition and The Center for Fiction, the Money Chronicles initiative has attracted over 600 submissions since its inception. Each story submitted sheds light on the changing landscape of financial norms and how individuals perceive financial security across different demographics.

The 2025 Finalists

A total of 18 finalists were celebrated alongside the winner, showcasing a rich tapestry of narratives exploring diverse experiences with money:

• - Tricia Vita, New York, New York: Money Apron Melody
• - Angie Curneal Palsak, South Bend, Indiana: First Blush
• - Renee Tawa, Evanston, Illinois: Finding Frank Sinatra
• - Miriam Alex, New York, New York: Wedding Fever
• - Sean Cho Ayres, Kennesaw, Georgia: Annotations of Distance
• - Rachana Pathak, New York, New York: Rocking the Boat
• - Jennifer Gibbs, Piggott, Arkansas: Ledger of Lives
• - Melanie Lau, Fincastle, Virginia: Safekeeping
• - Emmanuel Ikeh, Upper Marlboro, Maryland: Money, Mama, and the Mango Tree
• - Katherine Cart, Charlottesville, Virginia: I See a Big Boy Cry
• - Jaimee Wriston Colbert, Whitney Point, New York: Skins
• - Matt Goldberg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Pass-through
• - Yolanda Wiggins, San Jose, California: What The Money Knows
• - Yvette Saenz, Tucson, Arizona: Crookedness
• - M. Morton, Atlanta, Georgia: Quicksand Street
• - Jen Schneider, Dresher, Pennsylvania: Plastic (Rights) Rites
• - G.E. Motz, Lincolnton, North Carolina: A Simple Life
• - Jon Gluckman, Haddonfield, New Jersey: Money for Nothing

Each finalist was awarded $150, while the overall winner received a $1,000 prize, reinforcing the initiative's commitment to rewarding creativity in financial storytelling.

To further strengthen the conversation surrounding financial awareness, the Principal Foundation has scheduled a live virtual event on February 12 at noon CT. This exciting one-hour session will feature this year's winner, Cedric Rose, who will share insights into his inspiration for "Trove" and discuss financial confidence with acclaimed personal finance author Paco de Leon.

Participants will have the chance to engage directly with Rose and discover how his narrative grapples with themes of class, survival, and the dichotomy between perceived and actual wealth. Those interested in attending this conversation can register for free via Zoom.

As part of the initiative's mission, stories from the 2025 contest will be distributed through Short Story Dispensers across various libraries and bookstores, including locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Seattle, Washington. This also includes high-profile displays in Times Square, showcasing the importance of financial narratives in a public forum.

For readers eager to explore these compelling stories and learn more about the Money Chronicles initiative, further information can be found at Principal Foundation's official page. The Principal Foundation remains dedicated to building financial security and engagement through creative storytelling, an effort that empowers both individuals and communities alike.