JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BENEFITS FROM $70,000 GRANT FROM STATE FARM
Funding Supports Junior Achievement Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurial-Focused Learning Experiences for Underserved and Underprivileged Youth
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Mar. 12, 2025 – The Junior Achievement Florida Foundation announces that a total of $70,000 in funding has been allocated to support the eight Junior Achievement chapters across Florida through a grant from State Farm. This funding is part of a national grant awarded by State Farm to Junior Achievement USA, which then distributed the funds to JA chapters in various states.
Each Junior Achievement chapter in Florida will receive a portion of the funding to support locally tailored learning experiences, ensuring thousands of young people have access to Junior Achievement’s nationally recognized financial literacy and career readiness programs.
State Farm has been a dedicated supporter of Junior Achievement for the past nine years, contributing over $510,000 to support programs that empower students with essential skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.
“Financial literacy education is critical to inspiring and preparing our next generation of leaders in order to help them build stronger and more resilient communities,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “We are proud to support Junior Achievement K-12 financial literacy and career readiness programs across Florida.”
Each of the eight Florida-based Junior Achievement chapters will use the grant to enhance learning experiences that address the specific needs of their communities. At Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, State Farm’s support will enable us to provide the following learning experiences to local students:
- Support comprehensive K-12 educational programs to foster financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness among local students
- Offer programs that provide skills and knowledge for future economic success
- Host career-oriented events that welcome students to learn about multiple industries and engage in hands-on learning to determine a future path
- Provide programs that enhance critical thinking and life skills
Additionally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will offer volunteer opportunities for State Farm associates, allowing them to engage with students either in person or virtually. The length and scope of volunteer participation will vary by learning experience.
“We are very grateful to State Farm for their support and encouragement of our future generations with this grant,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “Grants like this allow us to continue to prepare our youth with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed in their future careers and life. We appreciate this investment in Junior Achievement’s success, as it helps equip students to fully explore their potential.”
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills and pre-K youth to ensure children get a solid head start. Today, JA reaches more than 4.4 million students annually in 102 markets across the United States as part of 12.5 million students served by operations in more than 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.
Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with classroom business volunteers during the 2023-2024 school year to provide 185,918 hours of instruction to 27,285 students throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit www.JASWFL.org, call (239) 225-2590, or email [email protected].
About Junior Achievement Florida Foundation
Chartered in 2010 the JA Florida Foundation represents the nine Florida JA chapters joining forces to link to schools across the state of Florida. This collaboration has allowed us each to grow our impact on our area’s marginalized youth through statewide funding and support. Junior Achievement delivers K-12 programming for entrepreneurship, financial literacy and career readiness. For more information on the organization, visit www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-floridafoundation