#United States #Colorado Springs #Junior Achievement #Lilly Endowment #Character Development

Junior Achievement USA Receives $22.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

In a remarkable move, Junior Achievement USA (JA) has secured a groundbreaking grant totaling $22.5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. This funding is aimed at enhancing their educational curricula with a focus on character development. This initiative represents one of the most significant financial contributions in the history of Junior Achievement, marking a pivotal step in advancing the organization’s mission.

The Significance of the Grant

This grant will support JA’s Character Development Through Youth Programs, a Lilly Endowment initiative that encourages organizations dedicated to youth to adopt, implement, and maintain strategies that cultivate character in young individuals. By being one of just eight organizations selected for this funding, Junior Achievement stands at the forefront of shaping ethical leaders for tomorrow.

Jack Harris, CEO of Junior Achievement USA, expressed optimism about the grant, stating, "Junior Achievement is committed to promoting economic opportunity and mobility for the young people we serve. Character development is an essential part of giving students the tools they need to achieve their full potential as adults." This sentiment reaffirms the commitment to not just educate but to develop well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society.

Impact on Education

Each year, Junior Achievement reaches over 4.6 million students from kindergarten through high school across the United States. With the new focus on character development, the organization is set to further enrich its educational offerings. This initiative aims to ensure that character-building educational experiences are woven throughout the various programs, allowing students to thrive not only academically but personally as well.

Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education and youth programs, also highlighted the importance of the initiative. He noted, "From the earliest days of its grantmaking, the Endowment has supported projects to encourage character development, especially among young people." This collaboration promises to yield fruitful results as it targets the development of crucial character traits necessary for future success.

About Junior Achievement USA

Founded with the vision of empowering youth, Junior Achievement has become the largest organization focused on equipping young people with the skills they need for economic success, preparing them for their futures, and helping them make informed academic and economic choices. With a network of dedicated volunteers, JA provides hands-on experiences that teach financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Moreover, Junior Achievement is expanding its outreach to young adults aged 18-25 and even to pre-K children to ensure a solid foundation for future leaders. The organization’s global footprint extends to 99 markets in the United States, impacting countless lives both domestically and internationally, serving a collective total of 12.5 million students across over 100 countries.

The announcement of this grant signals a promising future for Junior Achievement USA and its ambitious goal to foster character development alongside academic learning. By investing in the holistic growth of young individuals, JA is poised to create impactful change within communities and contribute to the betterment of society at large.

For more information on Junior Achievement, visit www.ja.org.