Design Your Dream Money Contest

To celebrate Financial Literacy Month this April, FAME and the Alfond Scholarship Foundation invite students in grades 1-6 across the state to unleash their creativity and design their very own $500 bill! This exciting contest is part of FAME’s Invest in ME Reads initiative, helping Maine’s young people develop important financial skills for a bright future. Please review our Official Rules prior to participating.

Who Can Participate

  • All Maine students in grades 1-6
  • One entry per student

Important Dates

  • Submission Period: April 1-30, 2025
  • Deadline: All entries must be postmarked by April 30, 2025

How To Enter

  1. Get the Template: Download and print the official $500 bill template
  2. Create Your Design: Use your imagination to design a unique $500 bill
  3. Label Your Work: Include student name, grade, school, and teacher’s name
  1. Mail Your Entry: Send your flat artwork (no tubes please) to:

    Attn: Mary Dyer
    Finance Authority of Maine
    PO Box 949
    Augusta, ME 04332

What Makes a Winning Design?

Our judges will look for:

  • Theme Connection: How well does your design reflect currency, saving money, or the $500 Alfond Grant?
  • Creativity and Imagination: How unique and inventive is your take on what money could look like?
  • Artistic Quality: How well does your design use the whole space and incorporate elements like color, shape, and texture?
  • Craftsmanship: Does your work show care, attention to detail, and neatness appropriate for your age?

Remember!

  • Use only the template provided by FAME
  • Your artwork must be 100% your own creation
  • No digital images, magazine cutouts, or other copyrighted materials
  • Artwork submitted cannot be returned

Amazing Prizes!

For Students

ALL participants receive a special water bottle sticker

Grade-level winners (one from each grade 1-6) receive:

  • Custom t-shirt featuring their money design
  • FAME drawstring bag filled with fun goodies
  • $25 Amazon gift card

Winning Designs:

  • May be showcased at the FAME office and other state offices
  • May be displayed on the FAME and Alfond Scholarship Foundation websites

For Schools

  • The school of each grade-level winner will be entered into a drawing
  • One lucky school will receive a special Invest in ME Reads event at their school!

Ready to create your dream money? 

Download the template and start designing today!

FAME Finance Authority of Maine logo
MyAlfondGrant logo