Foundation Spotlight: Carleen & Eugene Charitable Foundation Invests in Education for What’s Next

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Friday, 05 Dec 2025

Sharing

Image of a woman helping two children with a laptop

Image caption: Thanks to the Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation, students participate in meaningful JA lessons that build financial capability and real-world skills.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) is honored to shine a spotlight on the Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation—an organization whose commitment to education, financial literacy, and opportunity continues to shape brighter futures for students across our region. Their recent support strengthens the real-world learning experiences that empower young people to build confidence, explore careers, and make informed choices that fuel lifelong success.

A Foundation Rooted in Education and Community Impact

For the Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation, supporting Junior Achievement (JA) aligns directly with one of their core focus areas: education. The Foundation is dedicated to funding programs in the greater Cedar Rapids area that give students the tools they need to understand money, imagine their futures, and chart meaningful career paths.

They shared that “today’s youth are the future of our communities and businesses,” and their investment in JA reflects this belief. By supporting programming that develops financial literacy and career awareness, the Foundation reinforces its mission to help students access the knowledge and skills that open the door to opportunity.

Supporting Today’s Students—and Tomorrow’s Workforce

The Foundation hopes its support will help students understand the wide range of career possibilities available to them—and the ways their choices today shape their futures. They believe strongly in equipping young people with sound financial practices and responsible decision-making skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Their investment helps power hands-on, experiential learning in classrooms, at JA BizTown® Mobile, JA Finance Park® Mobile, JA Career Inspire, and through programs like JA Economics for Success® and JA Career Speakers Series®. These experiences allow students to explore real-world concepts, test ideas, and better understand what it takes to thrive in work and life.

Hands-On Learning That Makes a Community Come Alive

One of the things that stands out most to the Foundation is JA’s ability to help students understand how a community works—and their role in helping it thrive. The board highlighted the importance of JA simulations and programs that allow students to see firsthand how individual roles, leadership, and cooperation play into the success of a community or workplace.

These lessons not only teach skills—they build confidence, teamwork, and leadership in ways that stay with students far beyond the classroom.

Why Investing in JA Matters

To other funders, the Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation emphasizes that JA’s work has a deep and lasting impact. Their responses underscore a shared belief that empowering students with financial capability, career awareness, and real-world skills is one of the most meaningful investments a community can make.

Their support ensures students gain:

Practical financial literacy
Early exposure to career pathways
A deeper understanding of how communities and businesses function
The confidence to make informed, responsible choices

It’s an investment in young people, certainly—but also in the future workforce, future leaders, and the future strength of Eastern Iowa.

A Shared Commitment to Education for What’s Next

The Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation’s generosity reflects a powerful commitment to ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to succeed. Their support helps drive JAEI’s mission forward—accelerating economic mobility through financial capability, work readiness, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

“Foundations like the Carleen and Eugene Charitable Foundation are essential partners in building opportunities for Eastern Iowa students,” said Kristi Brown, JAEI Development Director. “Their investment reaches far beyond a single classroom—it strengthens the future workforce, supports families, and empowers the next generation to thrive. We are truly grateful for their belief in the power of education.”

We are grateful for their partnership and inspired by their dedication to preparing youth for bright, opportunity-filled futures.