The "Columbus Saves" educational program is a broad-based community coalition made up of more than 40 local organizations from the education, nonprofit, government, faith-based, and private sectors. Common goals of partners in reaching Columbus, Ohio's 1.5 million residents are to: (a) promote increased savings through education and social service programs, and (b) encourage the accumulation of wealth via systemic change by means of new bank and credit union financial products. Thoughtful coalition building and planning have enabled a system to be created that will address these goals. This collaborative effort is one way partnering organizations can contribute to developing a vital community where individuals and families learn to build wealth and save money. Many family and consumer sciences extension educators provide leadership for this partnership between the Cooperative Extension System and "America Saves," a national campaign to encourage Americans to save by building wealth and reducing debt. This campaign is a component of the 2001-2006 national Extension Initiative, "Financial Security in Later Life." In Ohio, "Columbus Saves" enrolled more than 100 savers during the 3-month, pilot phase. Preliminary research findings suggest families, individuals, and communities benefit from the win-win collaborative efforts of "America Saves." It is projected that families will change how they perceive money, which will affect their life-style choices.