irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $524KJA BizTown program: JAAZ's JA BizTown is an experiential program that requires 4-6th grade students to participate in 14-20 hours of classroom instruction where they work together to create business plans, calculate operating costs, design a marketing campaign, apply for jobs, vote for city officials, and explore careers. For the safety of our students and community, our JA BizTown facility was closed during this year. In lieu, our students completed their program with a new virtual town simulation, JA Adventures, where they explored what it means to be both a consumer and employee. This year, 6,455 students from 80 schools participated in the JA BizTown program. Upon completion of the program, students who participated in JA BizTown experienced an overall 25% percent knowledge gain (on average) in financial literacy and work readiness skills. Of the educators whose students participated in JA BizTown, 98% indicated that they would recommend the JA BizTown program to fellow teachers. JAAZ partnered with 473 business, parent and teacher volunteers who delivered the JA BizTown program, donating $287,569 in their time. Including the value of all program volunteers in our expenses increases our program expense ratio to 63% reflecting the efficiency gained by leveraging the expertise of these volunteers.
- #2 $221KJA Finance Park program: Our second experiential program for students is JA Finance Park, which requires middle and high school students to participate in 14-20 hours of classroom instruction where they learn important personal money management skills. They then apply those newly acquired skills in a virtual simulation where they are given a fictional life scenario and are required to create and maintain a balanced personal budget. This year, 2,721 students from 22 schools received the JA Finance Park curriculum and were empowered to manage their money and navigate financial complexities in their future. Upon completion of the program, JA Finance Park students showed a 26% percent financial literacy knowledge gain. JAAZ partnered with 204 business, parent and teacher volunteers who delivered the JA Finance Park program, donating $120,781 of their time and mileage. Including the value of all program volunteers in our expenses increases our program expense ratio to 93% reflecting the efficiency gained by leveraging the expertise of these volunteers.
named programs · 8 · from sources
what they call their work
3DE by Junior Achievement
A program that re-engineers high school education to create engaging learning environments, empowering students with knowledge, skills, and confidence for economic opportunity through partnerships with school districts and businesses.
JA BizTown
An engaging, hands-on program for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders that introduces economic concepts, workplace skills, and personal/business finances through classroom lessons and a day-long simulation in a student-sized town.
JA BizTown Adventures
A self-guided virtual simulation of the JA BizTown experience, allowing students to understand business operations by taking on roles like CEO, CFO, and marketing director through online adventures.
JA Finance Park
An experiential, real-life simulation for middle school students that provides classroom lessons on personal finance, including budgeting, interest rates, earning potential, and saving, followed by an application of these skills.
JA Finance Park Virtual
A virtual platform for middle school students to apply personal financial planning and career exploration skills learned in classroom lessons.
JA Hand in Hand
Video resources specifically for JA BizTown supporting learning for deaf and hard of hearing students through American Sign Language, closed captioning, and audio.
JA Inspire
A premier career exploration and workforce readiness program for learners aged 12-25, designed to prepare them for post-secondary success.
JA Money in Motion
An on-site simulation for 3rd through 12th grade students in rural schools that teaches financial planning, budgeting, and identifies qualities employers look for, complemented by educator-led curriculum.
activities · 8 groups
what they do
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Youth Financial Literacy Education 14 activities
- Alumni Economic Mobility SurveyConducted a 2016 survey indicating a statistically significant shift in alumni reporting an increased standard of living between childhood and adulthood, suggesting economic mobility.
- Conduct research on financial literacy and alumni outcomesConducted a study with MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13–18 and commissioned surveys showing long-term impact, including business ownership rates among alumni and economic mobility between childhood and adulthood.
- Deliver financial literacy and career readiness programs to K-12 studentsProvides hands-on, age-appropriate curricula focused on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000–190,000 Arizona students annually, primarily low-income and diverse learners, through partnerships with over 400 schools and educational institutions. Programs are delivered in classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade and supported by nearly 8,000 volunteer mentors each year.
- Experiential Learning ProgramsProvides experiential, simulation-based programs to students, including hands-on activities that teach financial planning and budgeting.
- Financial Literacy Knowledge Gap StudyConducted a study with MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13-18.
- Financial Literacy ResearchConducts studies on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13-18 and surveys alumni to assess economic mobility and business creation rates.
- Financial Literacy ResearchConducts studies on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13-18 and surveys alumni to assess economic mobility and business creation rates.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness EducationDelivers hands-on, age-appropriate programs focusing on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000 Arizona students annually, primarily low-income and diverse K-12 students, in 393 schools, supported by nearly 8,000 volunteer mentors. This includes in-classroom programs, experiential learning, and specific programs for rural and tribal communities.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness EducationDelivers hands-on, age-appropriate programs focusing on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000 to 190,000 primarily low-income K-12 students annually in Arizona, including those in rural and tribal communities. This education is provided through in-classroom programs, experiential learning, and customizable curricula, supported by approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors and 3,200 teacher partners.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness EducationDelivers hands-on, age-appropriate programs focusing on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000 Arizona students annually across 393 schools, including those in rural and tribal communities. These programs are supported by approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors and are offered in-classroom, experientially, and through customizable curricula for educators.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness ProgramsServes 175,000 Arizona students annually through financial literacy and career readiness programs, including in-classroom and experiential learning opportunities.
- Research on Financial LiteracyConducts research studies, including a survey on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens and the impact of JA programs on alumni's economic mobility.
- Support educators with curriculum and trainingProvides educator-led, customizable curriculum in financial literacy and career readiness, delivered through JA staff and integrated into classrooms by over 3,200 teacher partners across Arizona. Offers free online Spanish content and lesson plans to expand accessibility.
- Volunteer Mentor ProgramUtilizes approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors annually to teach financial literacy and career readiness to over 175,000 students in Arizona.
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Career Pathways & Workforce Training 4 activities
- Deliver virtual career exploration and workforce readiness programsOffers JA Inspire, a career exploration program serving over 96,000 learners aged 12–25, and a virtual platform connecting middle and high school students to Arizona’s top industries and businesses. The virtual exhibit hall features over 100 Arizona companies and includes digital simulations such as JA BizTown Adventures for remote classroom access.
- JA Inspire Career Exploration ProgramOperates JA Inspire, a career exploration and workforce readiness program in Arizona for over 96,000 learners aged 12-25, connecting students to Arizona's top industries and businesses through virtual career exploration platforms and a virtual exhibit hall featuring over 100 Arizona companies.
- JA Inspire Career Exploration ProgramOperates JA Inspire, a career exploration and workforce readiness program in Arizona for over 96,000 learners aged 12-25. This program connects students to Arizona's top industries and businesses through virtual career exploration platforms, featuring over 100 Arizona companies in a virtual exhibit hall.
- JA Inspire ProgramOperates the JA Inspire program, connecting over 96,000 learners aged 12-25 to Arizona's top industries and businesses through career exploration platforms.
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Translation and Bilingual Support Services 3 activities
- Development of Free Online Spanish ContentDevelops free, online Spanish content to expand accessibility of its educational programs.
- Development of Free Online Spanish ContentDevelops free, online Spanish content to expand accessibility of its educational programs.
- Development of Online Educational ContentDevelops free, online Spanish content to support its educational programs.
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Youth Financial Literacy Simulations 3 activities
- JA Finance Park Experiential Learning ProgramLaunched the experiential program JA Finance Park in 2009, providing students with practical financial management experience.
- JA Finance Park Experiential Learning ProgramOperates the experiential program JA Finance Park, launched in 2009, which provides students with tools to pursue and accomplish their financial goals.
- JA Finance Park Experiential ProgramLaunched the experiential program JA Finance Park in 2009, providing students with tools to pursue and accomplish their goals.
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College Preparation with Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Alumni Entrepreneurship SurveyAn Ipsos survey showed that 60% of Hispanic alumni, 52% of Black alumni, and 51% of white alumni have started one or more businesses during their careers.
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Regional Service Center Operations 1 activity
- Expand geographic reach through regional officesMaintains a presence in Southern Arizona through an office in Tucson, launched in 1957, to serve students and educational partners across the region.
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School-Based Youth Workshops and Curriculum Programs 1 activity
- Partnerships with Educational InstitutionsReaches over 190,000 primarily low-income, diverse K-12 students annually through partnerships with over 400 public, private, charter, and homeschool educational partners.
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Uncategorized 7 activities
- Career-Readiness and Entrepreneurship Program for Minority YouthPilots a career-readiness and entrepreneurship program for two cohorts of minority youth in Arizona.
- Career-Readiness and Entrepreneurship Program for Minority YouthPilots a career-readiness and entrepreneurship program for two cohorts of minority youth in Arizona.
- JA BizTown Experiential Learning ProgramOperates two JA BizTown facilities in Tempe, Arizona, which are on-site learning facilities featuring over 40 different businesses and industries. This program provides an experiential, simulation-based learning environment where students work with community volunteers to build a budget and experience real-world financial scenarios. A digital program, JA BizTown Adventures, offers a virtual simulation for classroom access, and specific video resources support deaf and hard of hearing students.
- JA BizTown Experiential Learning ProgramOperates two JA BizTown facilities in Tempe, which are on-site learning facilities featuring over 40 different businesses and industries, providing experiential, simulation-based programs for students. This includes a digital program called JA BizTown Adventures for virtual classroom access and video resources supporting deaf and hard of hearing students.
- JA BizTown Experiential Learning ProgramOperates two JA BizTown facilities in Tempe, which are on-site learning facilities featuring over 40 different businesses and industries, providing experiential, simulation-based programs where students work with community volunteers to build a budget. The program also offers a digital version, JA BizTown Adventures, and video resources for deaf and hard of hearing students.
- JA BizTown OperationsOperates two JA BizTown facilities, providing experiential learning environments where students engage in simulated business activities.
- Operate experiential learning facilities (JA BizTown and JA Finance Park)Runs two physical JA BizTown® facilities in Tempe and launched JA Finance Park® in 2009, offering on-site simulation programs where students engage in real-world financial planning and career exploration. These facilities feature over 40 simulated businesses and industries, and include accessible resources such as ASL, captioning, and audio support for deaf and hard of hearing students.
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financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$4.44M
Contributions & grants$4.33M97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$215K5%
Other revenue$-98K
expenses
Total expenses$2.97M
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising28%
Salaries & benefits$2.04M
Grants paid out$10K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.58M
Cash$1.24M
Investments$1.71M
Liabilities$1.18M
Net assets$5.40M
Liquid reserves11.9 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020
who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine K Cecala | President | 60 | $247K |
| Sam Alpert | Chief Development Officer | 45 | $173K |
| Joss Francheterre | SR VP Major Gifts | 45 | $130K |
| Colleen Cox | Sr. VP. Education | 55 | $112K |
| Anne Landers | VP Strategic Impact | 50 | $108K |
| Elizabeth Clements | VP People & Technology | 50 | $108K |
| Amy Schaefer | VP Finance | 42 | $95K |
board members · 11
- Arturo Perez — Member
- Brad Harper — Vice Chair
- Cary Smith — Member
- Charlie Smith — Vice Chair
- Chrisie Koury-Ballard — Member
- Frank Marino — Chair
- Karen Quick — Treasurer/Secretary
- Kimberly A Anderson — Member
- Marcia Wepfer — Member
- Patricia Watterkotte — Member
- Pete Rathwell — Member
relationships · 11
who they work with
- Bechtel Partner — Introduced an alumna to the company, where she now works as an Employee Relations Coordinator.
- Central Arizona District Board of Directors Partner — Regional governing body overseeing operations in Central Arizona.
- Emeritus Board Partner — Board composed of former directors providing ongoing advisory support.
- Foundation Trustees Partner — Governing body responsible for foundation-related oversight and support.
- Junior Achievement Partner — 3DE is a program by Junior Achievement, combining core competencies with school districts and the broader business community.
- Junior Achievement USA Network — Member of the national Junior Achievement network.
- Junior Achievement Worldwide Network — Member of the global Junior Achievement network, recognized by JA Worldwide at its Global Leadership Conference.
- MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation Partner — Partnered to conduct a study on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens.
- Southern Arizona District Board of Directors Partner — Regional governing body overseeing operations in Southern Arizona.
- State Board of Directors Partner — Governing body providing strategic oversight at the state level.
- Toyota Partner — Administers the Toyota Scholarship Program for students.