What is the Financial Wellness Initiative?
The Financial Wellness Initiative (FWI) is designed to support ministers, church staff, and nonprofit leaders in building lasting financial well-being—so they can focus more fully on their calling and the people they serve.
Financial stress can follow leaders through every stage of ministry, affecting not only their personal stability, but also their families and their ability to remain present in moments that matter most. When financial concerns are reduced, leaders are better equipped to care for others, make thoughtful decisions, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Through grant-supported programs and resources, the FWI provides access to financial planning, education, and practical guidance. Some opportunities are available to all clergy, while others are offered exclusively to participants in the Church Benefits Board 403(b)(9) retirement plan.
By strengthening the financial well-being of those who serve, this initiative also supports the health of congregations and communities. When leaders are supported, their ministries are strengthened—and the impact extends far beyond the individual.
Your financial wellness is our ministry.
Programs and Resources
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
EDUCATION EXPERIENCES
Financial Wellness Education Experiences (FWEEs) provide expert-led, clergy-focused financial education that addresses both the practical and unique financial realities of ministry. Participants explore foundational perspectives on:
- Money and stewardship
- Ministerial compensation structures
- Tax-wise strategies specific to clergy, including housing allowance
- Social Security
- Retirement planning
- How financial wellness positively impacts your ministry.
Church Benefits Board (CBB) provides complimentary lodging and meals during the event for clergy and their spouses. Participants must cover the cost of travel.
FWEEs are open to all CBB participants and their spouses. If you are not currently a CBB participant but are interested in attending, reach out to us at churchbenefits@churchbenefits.org.
Please note: To secure your registration, a non-refundable $50 deposit is required (covering both the registrant and a spouse, if applicable).
Upcoming financial wellness EDUCATION experiences:
Raleigh, NC
August 23-25, 2026
FREE FINANCIAL PLANNING
$500 INCENTIVE
Active participants of the Church Benefits Board 403(b)(9) Retirement Plan can build a comprehensive financial plan with an Empower CFP® professional, free-of-charge.
When an active participant of the Church Benefits Board 403(b)(9) retirement plan completes their financial plan with Empower, Church Benefits Board will add $500 to their Church Benefits Board 403(b)(9) retirement account* **.
CBB provides this financial planning incentive through generous grant support. Our goal is to encourage every participant to improve their financial well-being by building a financial plan.
*The $500 incentive is available while funds last. This incentive is only available the first time a participant completes their financial plan with Empower.
**The $500 incentive is processed on a quarterly basis. Deposits of the $500 incentive into a participant’s Church Benefits Board 403(b)(9) retirement account can take up to 90 days.
What’s your plan? To learn more about the financial planning process, visit churchbenefits.org/financialplanning.
FIRST CALL GRANTS
Are you a soon-to-be or recent seminary graduate getting ready to serve your first church? Are you changing careers and about to serve your first church? If either of these scenarios describe your stage of ministry, then you may be an excellent candidate for a First Call Grant.
The First Call Grant assists those in the first-call stage of ministry with a $500 grant* to start a 403(b)(9) retirement account with Church Benefits Board (CBB). After you are enrolled in the CBB retirement plan by your first-call church, CBB will add an initial $500 employer contribution from the Financial Wellness Initiative grant to your retirement account as a full-time, first-call minister.
If you have questions about the grant or your eligibility, contact the CBB team at churchbenefits@churchbenefits.org
*While funds last.
Minister’s Compensation Guide
Develop a comprehensive compensation and benefits plan that meets the needs of the congregation and the minister with Church Benefits Board’s Minister’s Compensation Guide.