Wells Fargo Foundation gives $40,000 to support JA

The Wells Fargo Foundation has donated $40,000 to Junior Achievement of the Heartland to support core mission learning experiences in Rock Island and Scott counties, JA said in a Tuesday, July 9, news release.

That funding will be used to enhance Junior Achievement‘s initiatives aimed at inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy through programs that focus on financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship, the release said.

Through the $40,000 Wells Fargo Foundation grant, JA curriculum will impact more than 21,000 students at 90 public elementary, middle, and high schools in Rock Island and Scott counties during the 2024-2025 school year. 

These programs help students gain a strong foundation for healthy money management skills. At 16 of these schools, 70% or more of students qualify as low-income. These students have less access to information about career pathways. They are also more likely to struggle with financial literacy as adults. Both conditions serve as barriers to lifting their families out of poverty.

‘Thrilled’ with the grant

 “We are thrilled to receive this grant, which reflects Wells Fargo’s commitment to education and empowering the next generation of leaders,” said JA of the Heartland President and CEO Dougal Nelson. “This funding will allow us to enhance our efforts in providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.”

JA said its curriculum provides instruction on economic understanding throughout the entire K-12 experience in a series of age-appropriate learning modules, covering topics such as savings, charitable giving, household budgeting, and taxes. 

Students also have the opportunity to experience day-long activities that place them in a city simulation where, through a series of activities, they get to see these concepts in action. Junior Achievement’s unique delivery system provides the training, materials, and support necessary to bolster the chances for student success. 

The impact is measurable, too, according to the release. Students who participate in Junior Achievement learning experiences demonstrate a significant understanding of economics and business concepts.