Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative
3rd Edition
Let's talk about money!
Our relationship with money is one of the most personal—and complicated—parts of our lives. How we earn it, spend it, save it, or struggle with it can shape how we see ourselves and how we live. It’s also what makes money one of the hardest things to talk about.
Principal Foundation believes sharing stories about experiences with money is an important stepping stone to building a more financially secure future, and that's why they're proud to launch the third edition of their national short story contest, in partnership with Short Edition and The Center for Fiction.
For the past two years, hundreds of writers have submitted short stories touching on themes related to money and personal finance, using the universal art of storytelling to encourage conversations around this challenging topic. Now it’s your turn!
Your story might be a quiet lesson passed down through generations. A sudden loss. A job that changed everything. Or a dream that just couldn’t wait. Whatever it is, we want to read your imaginative and meaningful short stories.
Send us your fiction or creative nonfiction short stories featuring characters whose relationship to money may be on the verge of unexpected or needed change. Every voice matters and yours could inspire someone to rethink their own story.
Join Principal Foundation in their mission to remove barriers and empower each other to build stronger, more financially secure futures.
Contest Timeline
Adults aged 18 and up who live in the United States can submit a short story between September 8, 2025 12:00 am PDT and October 12, 2025 11:59 pm PDT.
The winner and the finalists will be announced around January 12, 2026.
Winner & Prizes
The first 400 submissions will be read by Short Edition’s editorial team and the winner will be selected by a panel of esteemed authors, curated by The Center for Fiction.
Up to 20 finalists will also be awarded.
The winner will receive a $1000 honorarium, and each finalist will also receive an honorarium of $150.
The winner and the finalists’ stories will be distributed across Principal Foundation’s Short Story Dispensers throughout the year in these 6 locations:
- Times Square Alliance (42nd Street & Broadway, New York, NY 10036) New location!
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (7015 Carnegie Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28211)
- Prairie Lights (15 South Dubuque, St. Iowa City, IA 52240)
- Elliott Bay Book Company (1521 10th Ave., Seattle WA USA, 98122)
- Sip & Sonder (108 S Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301)
- Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008)
In addition, Short Edition will consider the winner and all finalists for international publication in their 300+ Dispensers worldwide, located in universities, public libraries, airports, public transportation centers, retail, and many other locations.
Spread the word!
Post on social media and let your community know you’re participating in the 3rd edition of this contest. You can also encourage people around you to share their own story as well.
Use #MoneyChronicles and #PrincipalFoundation to pass on the message.
Outline
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| September 8, 2025 – October 12, 2025 | January 12, 2026 |
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Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (“Principal Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.