LEAF Commercial Capital has announced its new partnership with Operation Hope, an organization that creates opportunities in underserved communities through financial education, which in turn fosters economic empowerment. As one of Operation Hope’s financial industry partners, LEAF team members including key executives will participate in quarterly school events to teach financial literacy to students in grades 4 through 12.

According to Crit DeMent, CEO of LEAF Commercial Capital, “The new alliance is an excellent opportunity for LEAF to deliver on one of the primary tenants of our ‘LEAF 360°’ business principles, giving back to the community in which we work. That’s why we are so excited to be a part of the Operation Hope initiative. All of us at LEAF believe that tremendous economic benefits can be realized, both by individuals and society as a whole, by helping young people to raise their financial IQ.”

In addition to the partnership itself, LEAF is also showing its added commitment by augmenting its financial and manpower contribution to Operation Hope. For the first 1,000 new “Likes” LEAF receives on its corporate Facebook page through May 31, 2012, the company will donate $5 to Operation Hope’s Banking on Our Future program. Michelle Speranza, vice president, Marketing and Communications for LEAF said, “LEAF has a strong social media following and we are, as an organization, very passionate about Operation Hope’s mission. We want to make sure our social media network is aware of our commitment to improving financial education all around.”

Operation Hope has a successful 20-year track record of providing economic empowerment for adults and youth through economic education. With the Banking on Our Future (BOOF) program, Operation Hope provides financial education to young people between the ages of 9 and 18 at no cost to school districts, as well as to faith- and community-based organizations. The programs are generally targeted towards low- and medium-income communities across the country.

Introduced into the Philadelphia area in 2003, over 44,000 youth have completed the BOOF financial literacy program. The BOOF program is entirely funded by financial organizations such as LEAF, with financial professionals from the partner companies actually teaching the programs. “We take our involvement with Operation Hope very seriously, and we are eager to get started,” said DeMent. “It is a perfect fit for our team, who look forward to using their extensive financial expertise for the benefit of the community.”