BROOMFIELD, Colorado (Nov. 2025) — NBA star Christian Braun of the Denver Nuggets has teamed up with Meritrust Credit Union to launch a powerful new initiative aimed at promoting financial literacy and breaking poverty cycles among young athletes and communities across Denver.
The partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Braun’s newly formed foundation and Meritrust CU, which recently expanded into the Denver market through a merger with Premier Members Credit Union. Together, they aim to educate and empower individuals to build sustainable financial futures.
Christian Braun Uses His Platform for Financial Education
Christian Braun, known for his energy and leadership both on and off the court, is leveraging his influence to bring attention to a cause he believes in deeply — financial education.
“Financial education and money management are very important to me,” Braun said. “I want to use my platform as a professional basketball player to help educate people in our community, especially young athletes. Partnering with Meritrust just made sense because this is what they do.”
As a former University of Kansas basketball standout, Braun has long been connected with Meritrust CU, which serves as the Official Financial Well-Being Partner of Kansas Athletics. Having participated in Meritrust’s financial education sessions as a student-athlete, Braun now takes on a new role as a community ambassador dedicated to financial empowerment.
Meritrust’s Mission: Building Financial Well-Being for All
Meritrust Credit Union, with over $4 billion in assets, has built its reputation on helping people improve their relationships with money. According to Jamie Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at Meritrust, this partnership reflects the credit union’s mission to drive financial inclusion and community development.
“Our entire purpose is helping people improve their relationship with money, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Christian Braun and his foundation,” said Harrison. “This collaboration allows us to leverage the influence and passion of a respected athlete who shares our belief that financial well-being is a cornerstone of personal and community growth.”
Through this alliance, Meritrust becomes the Official Financial Well-Being Partner and exclusive banking partner of the new Braun Foundation, working hand in hand to promote lifelong financial skills.
Financial Literacy Workshops and Community Outreach
The initiative will roll out a series of financial education camps, workshops, and outreach programs across Metro Denver neighborhoods, focusing on key topics such as:
- Budgeting and savings fundamentals
- Smart investing and credit management
- Understanding debt and financial planning
These programs are designed to reach both youth and adults, especially those in underserved communities where access to practical financial education has historically been limited.
By combining Meritrust’s financial expertise with Braun’s influence as a professional athlete, the program aims to inspire financial responsibility, reduce economic inequality, and empower the next generation of community leaders.
A Model for Community Partnerships
The collaboration between Christian Braun and Meritrust CU showcases how local institutions and public figures can work together to create meaningful social change. In an era when financial insecurity continues to affect millions of Americans, initiatives like this highlight the power of financial literacy as a tool for empowerment and poverty reduction.
As Braun continues his basketball career with the Nuggets, he is equally committed to building a legacy that goes beyond sports — one rooted in education, opportunity, and financial freedom for all.
“This isn’t just about teaching numbers or bank accounts,” Braun said. “It’s about changing lives and giving people the tools to create a better future.”
Looking Ahead
Meritrust CU and the Braun Foundation plan to expand their financial education programming over the next several years, with future goals of reaching schools, athletic programs, and community centers across Colorado and Kansas.
Their joint mission—to make financial literacy accessible, practical, and inspiring—underscores a growing recognition that economic knowledge is key to breaking cycles of poverty and building long-term stability.
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