AFCPE Celebrates Receiving the 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Summit Award for Military Spouse Fellowship

AFCPE Recognized with 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Summit Award

The Association of Financial Counseling, Planning, and Education (AFCPE) has recently been celebrated for its remarkable contributions with the 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Summit Award. This prestigious recognition, presented by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), highlights organizations that effectively bring together stakeholders, promote collaboration, and instigate meaningful change.

The award is particularly focused on AFCPE's impactful work through the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship. This program significantly enhances workforce mobility for military spouses, emphasizing the importance of financial readiness in the communities involved.

Understanding the Fellowship’s Impact

The Military Spouse Fellowship addresses two critical issues affecting military spouses: financial stress caused by frequent relocations, deployments, and life transitions, and persistent underemployment stemming from the challenges of accessing portable, credentialed job opportunities. Through this fellowship, AFCPE provides a structured and fully funded pathway to the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) certification for up to 30 qualified military spouses each year.

Each fellowship covers education and examination expenses, supporting participants throughout their coursework, the required proctored certification exam, and the hours of practical experience needed for the AFC credential. Importantly, fellows gain access to an extensive alumni network and volunteer-led regional ambassadors who foster peer support, leadership skills, and consistent service delivery tailored for military communities.

Since its inception in 2006, this fellowship has seen the graduation of 743 fellows who collectively have supported over 288,000 military families as part of their experiential training. Many of these graduates have progressed to establish rewarding careers, serving military families worldwide, thus amplifying the fellowship's broader impact.

Quote from ASAE Leadership

Michelle Mason, President and CEO of ASAE, remarked, “The Power of Associations Awards celebrate the peak achievements of what our community can accomplish. This recognition honors organizations that not only advance their own missions but also unite individuals to overcome complex challenges, strengthen respective industries and professions, and generate lasting benefits for society. AFCPE has shown remarkable vision, leadership, and dedication, and we are thrilled to highlight the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship as one of this year’s outstanding accomplishments.”

A Collaborative Solution

Rachael DeLeon, AFCPE’s Executive Director, emphasized the collaborative spirit underlying the fellowship’s success. “This Fellowship exemplifies the power of partnerships towards a shared goal. We identified real needs—military spouses needed credentialed career paths, and military families required access to trusted financial guidance. By collaborating closely, we have developed an effective solution.