Finish Strong: Help Us Empower the Next Generation

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Friday, 30 May 2025

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Image caption: Students explore real-world budgeting during a Junior Achievement financial literacy lesson—building the money management skills they'll use for a lifetime.

As the school year wraps up, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is celebrating the impact made across our region. 36,968 students in 13 counties participated in Junior Achievement (JA) programs this year—each gaining practical skills that prepare them for real life. But our work isn’t over. 3,100 of the 36,968 students served remain unfunded this year—and we need your help to ensure their experiences are fully supported. It costs just $72.06 to sponsor one student, making a direct impact that prepares them for success in work and life.

Whether they were balancing budgets, exploring future careers, or pitching business ideas, students experienced learning in a way that’s hands-on, engaging, and deeply relevant.

Real-World Skills That Matter

At the heart of every Junior Achievement experience are three pillars that guide our mission:

Financial Literacy – Teaching students how to manage money, budget, save, and make informed decisions.
Workforce Readiness – Building skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork while exploring career paths.
Entrepreneurship – Helping students think creatively and take initiative to bring ideas to life.

We also offer 3DE™ by Junior Achievement, a dynamic high school model that brings the real world into the classroom. Through case challenges with local businesses, students connect academic content with practical application—boosting confidence and purpose in the process.

Powered by Volunteers. Focused on the Future.

Our programs are brought to life by dedicated volunteers—business professionals, retirees, educators, and community members—who share their stories and experience directly with students. These connections are powerful. Volunteers help students see what's possible, learn from real-world examples, and gain the confidence to envision their futures.

Whether it’s through JA BizTown® Mobile, JA Finance Park® Mobile, or JA Career Inspire®, our learning experiences are built around relevance, application, and impact.

Your Gift = Real Impact

When you support JA, you're investing in the future of Eastern Iowa—student by student. Here's what your donation can provide:

$72.06 sponsors 1 student
$360.30 sponsors 5 students
$720.60 sponsors 10 students
$1,801.59 sponsors an entire classroom

👉 Donate Today

More Ways to Give

There are many ways to support JA’s mission and maximize your impact:

One-time or recurring gifts via QGiv or by mail
Corporate sponsorships or ticket purchases to JA events
Donor-Advised Funds and IRA distributions
Appreciated asset donations (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
Bequests and planned giving to leave a lasting legacy
Wire transfers for efficient giving

To explore your options, visit our Ways to Give page.

Let’s Finish the Year with Purpose

With your support, we can continue to provide transformative experiences that give students the confidence and tools to succeed. Thank you for investing in their futures—and in the future of Eastern Iowa.