ACE Cash Express Donation Exceeds $100K for Underfunded Classrooms

DALLAS, TX – December 16, 2025 – In a significant boost for educators across the country, ACE Cash Express, a brand of Populus Financial Group, has raised more than $100,000 for the national nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org. The donation, a combination of customer-driven micro-donations and a dedicated employee fundraising campaign, will provide essential supplies and materials for 51 teachers and their students in seven states, directly addressing the critical funding gap that forces many teachers to pay for classroom needs out of their own pockets.

This initiative highlights a growing trend of corporate philanthropy integrating directly with consumer financial tools, turning everyday purchases into a source of support for community needs. The funds are earmarked for classrooms in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Oregon, ensuring the impact is felt across a wide geographic area.

Bridging the Gap in America's Classrooms

The financial burden on American teachers is a well-documented crisis. According to AdoptAClassroom.org, educators spend an average of $895 of their own money each year to equip their classrooms and provide students with the tools they need to succeed. This figure represents a stark reality where school budgets often fall short, leaving teachers to fill the void. The nonprofit reports that 90% of the classrooms it supports are considered high-needs, underscoring the importance of external funding.

ACE's contribution provides a direct lifeline. Among the beneficiaries is the Fenton Primary Center in Pacoima, California, which received a dedicated $5,000 donation presented in a September event attended by California State Senator Caroline Menjivar. "Fenton Primary Center is deeply grateful to ACE Cash Express and AdoptAClassroom.org for making it possible to bring joy back to our students who have endured challenging times in the past year," said Richard Parra, Director of Fenton Charter Public Schools. "Your support of Fenton Primary Center reminds us how powerful community partnerships can be in creating safe and happy spaces for children to learn and play."

For teachers on the ground, these donations are transformative. They can mean the difference between having basic supplies and going without. "I will be forever grateful for this donation," shared one funded teacher from Florida. "As a teacher, having enough funds at the beginning of the school year to make sure our students are ready and have the tools necessary to succeed is so important. I was able to provide a variety of supplies that our families sometimes have difficulty accessing.”

The Power of Passive Philanthropy

A substantial portion of the total donation, $53,564, was generated through two innovative programs that embed charitable giving into customers' daily financial activities. Populus Financial Group's Flare Account® 'Chip In For Charity' and Porte® '#DoorToChange' initiatives allow customers to contribute passively, without any additional cost to them.

Through the 'Chip In For Charity' program, customers using a co-branded AdoptAClassroom.org Flare Account® debit card trigger a donation from ACE Cash Express with every purchase. For each $100 spent, the company contributes five cents (0.05%) to the nonprofit. Similarly, members of Porte, another financial brand under Populus, can select AdoptAClassroom.org as their charity of choice in the app. Populus then donates 0.05% of every debit card purchase to the organization.

This model of integrated philanthropy democratizes giving, enabling a broad base of consumers to participate in a collective effort. While individual contributions are small, their cumulative power is significant, as demonstrated by the more than $53,000 raised. This approach represents a modern form of corporate social responsibility, leveraging a company's core products to create a sustained stream of charitable funding and empowering customers to become partners in the mission.

A Long-Term Corporate Commitment

This year's fundraising success is not an isolated event but the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership. The collaboration between ACE Cash Express and AdoptAClassroom.org is part of the ACE Community Fund, a charitable-giving program that has donated over $12 million to various organizations since 2004. The relationship with AdoptAClassroom.org specifically has been in place for over a decade, with total contributions now exceeding $675,000.

In addition to customer-driven programs, ACE employees played a crucial role, raising an impressive $49,747 through the company's annual in-store fundraiser, the 'Give A Little Campaign.' During this event, AdoptAClassroom.org was selected as a charity of choice, and employees encouraged customers to make donations at checkout, with the funds going to support local teachers in the communities served by ACE stores.

"At Populus Financial Group, we are incredibly proud to partner with AdoptAClassroom.org and support educators," said Sally Aiello, Vice President of Government Relations at Populus. "Thanks to the generosity of our employees and customers, these donations of over $100,000 will empower 51 teachers and benefit students in seven states, providing them the supplies and materials needed to be successful."

A Dual Role in Community and Commerce

Populus Financial Group operates a family of brands, including ACE Cash Express, that provides a wide array of financial products, including short-term consumer loans, check cashing, and card services. The industry in which the company operates has historically drawn scrutiny from consumer protection advocates over its fee structures and lending practices. This context makes the company's deep and sustained commitment to corporate social responsibility a noteworthy aspect of its public identity.

By directing significant resources toward pressing social issues like educational equity, Populus demonstrates a multifaceted corporate role that extends beyond its primary business functions. The extensive, long-term support for AdoptAClassroom.org and other charities positions the company as an active participant in community welfare. The positive impact of these philanthropic efforts is tangible and provides a powerful counterpoint in the company's overall narrative.

The real-world effects of these funds are perhaps best captured by the educators who receive them. A STEM teacher at a Phoenix, Arizona academy expressed her gratitude for a donation that enabled her to purchase advanced learning tools. "This makes a world of difference for our STEM classroom," she stated. "We will use your donation for STEM bits and robots for coding. Being a first year STEM teacher, I would not have been able to provide these tools without your donation."