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.
Thanks to generous grant support, the FWI provides access to clergy-focused financial education programs, practical guidance, and resources. Some resources and opportunities are available to all clergy, while others are offered exclusively to participants of 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.
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.
Visit the First Call Grant Application page to learn more.
*While funds last.
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.
*While funds last.
What’s your plan? To learn more about the financial planning process, visit churchbenefits.org/financialplanning.
Minister’s Compensation Guide
There is much more to a compensation package than simply a salary and there is much more to consider than simply what the church finances can support. Because of the grave importance of this topic and the lack of training on the subject, Church Benefits Board (CBB) created the Minister’s Compensation Guide. This is for both churches and ministers. Our hope is that it will empower the church and the minister to create a mutually beneficial compensation package that empowers both to answer the call of God.
View additional resources for ministers and churches on our Resource page.