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Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina

EIN 57-0511131 · Columbia, SC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER SOUTH CAROLINA (JAGSC) IS DEDICATED TO INSPIRING AND PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO THRIVE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY. THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, JA FOCUSES ON THREE CORE AREAS: FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WORKFORCE READINESS. JAGSC LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO BE HANDS-ON AND INTERACTIVE, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH PRACTICAL TOOLS AND REAL-WORLD INSIGHTS. FROM ENGAGING SIMULATIONS TO CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES, JAGSC HELPS STUDENTS OF ALL AGES CONNECT ACADEMIC LESSONS TO EVERYDAY LIFE AND FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. BY COLLABORATING WITH EDUCATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND VOLUNTEERS, JAGSC ENSURES THAT THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE RELATABLE AND IMPACTFUL, HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, CAREER SUCCESS, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING. WITH A FOCUS ON MAKING EDUCATION BOTH ENJOYABLE AND RELEVANT, JAGSC STRIVES TO SPARK A PASSION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND EQUIP STUDENTS WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO PU

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
19.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 35%
Employees
10
Volunteers
575
Highest pay
$152,363, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $272,900 spent. JA FINANCE PARK IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SIMULATION DEVELOPED TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND CAREER EXPLORATION. THIS PROGRAM GIVES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE CAREERS OF TOMORROW. STUDENTS GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND THE ABILITY TO SUSTAIN A DESIRED LIFESTYLE. AFTER IN-CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A DAY LONG HANDS-ON BUDGETING SIMULATION. JAGSC SERVED OVER 4,000 STUDENTS WITH JA FINANCE PARK.
  2. $185,809 spent. SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME (HOF) IS A STUDENT LED PROGRAM THAT RECOGNIZES THE STATE'S MOST RESPECTED LEADERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO AND INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM TAKES PLACE OVER A DINNER WHERE 10-12 STUDENTS ARE SELECTED TO LEAD THE EVENING'S EVENTS. IN ADDITION TO RECOGNIZING THE HONORED AWARDEES, THE COMMUNITY IS ALSO EDUCATED ABOUT THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT TEACHES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. THE HALL OF FAME ALSO LIVES IN JA BIZTOWN MOBILE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WHERE OVER 5,000 STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE LAUREATES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME. JAGSC SERVED OVER 700 STUDENTS WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME KIOSK. SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME (HOF) IS A STUDENT LED PROGRAM THAT RECOGNIZES THE STATE'S MOST RESPECTED LEADERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO AND INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM TAKES PLACE OVER A DINNER WHERE 10-12 STUDENTS ARE SELECTED TO LEAD THE EVENING'S EVENTS. IN ADDITION TO RECOGNIZING THE HONORED AWARDEES, THE COMMUNITY IS ALSO EDUCATED ABOUT THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS THAT JUNIOR ACHIEVMENT TEACHES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. THE HALL OF FAME ALSO LIVES IN JA BIZTOWN MOBILE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WHERE OVER 5,000 STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE LAUREATES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME. JAGSC SERVED OVER 700 STUDENTS WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME KIOSK.
  3. $212,282 spent. TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM - ECONOMIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS BENEFITTING STUDENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THESE CLASSROOM BASED PROGRAMS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE COVER A RANGE OF TOPICS RELATED TO THE FOUNDATIONS OF A LOCAL/GLOBAL ECONOMY, FINANCIAL LITERACY, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND OVERALL CAREER PREPARATION/ READINESS. THESE HIGHLY INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED BY BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS WHO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO A "REAL WORLD" PERSPECTIVE AND SERVE AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND MENTORS TO STUDENTS. JAGSC SERVED OVER 40,000 STUDENTS DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
  4. $364,321 spent. JA INSPIRE IS A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BROUGHT TO LIFE BY SOUTH CAROLINA EMPLOYERS. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM FEATURED A MEGA ONLINE CAREER EVENT FILLED WITH OVER 65 LOCAL BUSINESS EXHIBITS PROVIDING DOWNLOADABLE CAREER INFORMATION AND EXHIBITOR VIDEOES. AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO EDUCATORS IN SC, JA INSPIRE VIRTUAL IS ADAPTABLE FOR IN-CLASS OR REMOTE LEARNING AND IS AVAILABLE 24/7 FOR 6 MONTHS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. JAGSC SERVED OVER 12,000 STUDENTS WITH JA INSPIRE. JA TAKE STOCK IN YOUR FUTURE IS A TECHNOLOGY-BASED SIMULATION OF THE STOCK MARKET IN WHICH EVERY 60 SECONDS REPRESENTS A DAY OF TRADING. BEGINNING WITH A HYPOTHETICAL ACCOUNT BALANCE OF 1 MILLION, TEAMS RUSH TO AMASS THE HIGHEST NET-WORTH PORTFOLIO BY THE END OF 60 DAYS (ONE HOUR IN REAL-TIME). STUDENT TEAMS COMPETE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE NATIONAL JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE. JAGSC SERVED OVER 150 STUDENTS WITH STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE. JA BIZTOWN MOBILE IS A EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SIMULATION DESIGNED TO EQUIP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CAREERS AND WORK READINESS SKILLS, BY ALLOWING THEM TO EXPERIENCE AN INNOVATIVE, REAL-LIFE SIMULATION WHILE CHALLENGING THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE A TOWN OF 20 BUSINESSES AND MANAGE THEIR PAYCHECK. JA BIZTOWN SERVED OVER 700 STUDENTS.
  5. JA INSPIRE IS A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BROUGHT TO LIFE BY SOUTH CAROLINA EMPLOYERS. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM FEATURED A MEGA ONLINE CAREER EVENT FILLED WITH OVER 65 LOCAL BUSINESS EXHIBITS PROVIDING DOWNLOADABLE CAREER INFORMATION AND EXHIBITOR VIDEOES. AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO EDUCATORS IN SC, JA INSPIRE VIRTUAL IS ADAPTABLE FOR IN-CLASS OR REMOTE LEARNING AND IS AVAILABLE 24/7 FOR 6 MONTHS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. JAGSC SERVED OVER 12,000 STUDENTS WITH JA INSPIRE. JA TAKE STOCK IN YOUR FUTURE IS A TECHNOLOGY-BASED SIMULATION OF THE STOCK MARKET IN WHICH EVERY 60 SECONDS REPRESENTS A DAY OF TRADING. BEGINNING WITH A HYPOTHETICAL ACCOUNT BALANCE OF 1 MILLION, TEAMS RUSH TO AMASS THE HIGHEST NET-WORTH PORTFOLIO BY THE END OF 60 DAYS (ONE HOUR IN REAL-TIME). STUDENT TEAMS COMPETE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE NATIONAL JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE. JAGSC SERVED OVER 150 STUDENTS WITH STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE. JA BIZTOWN MOBILE IS A EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SIMULATION DESIGNED TO EQUIP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CAREERS AND WORK READINESS SKILLS, BY ALLOWING THEM TO EXPERIENCE AN INNOVATIVE, REAL-LIFE SIMULATION WHILE CHALLENGING THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE A TOWN OF 20 BUSINESSES AND MANAGE THEIR PAYCHECK. JA BIZTOWN SERVED OVER 700 STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.