Junior Achievement USA
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy through classroom programs and simulations that focus on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Since 1981, Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast has inspired the next generation to be financially capable and tenacious; equipped with the tools to solve problems creatively, manage risk effectively, and welcome opportunity. Through our innovative and experiential financial literacy, job readiness and entrepreneurship K-12 programs taught by community volunteer role models, we inspire the next generation to navigate their path toward their dreams.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 862
- Highest pay
- $141,416, former ceo
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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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 2523 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $492,352 spent. JA In-Class Programs are either taught over the course of a few weeks, completed in a one-day format, or taught after school. Trained community volunteers prepare students from kindergarten through 12th grade for the real world by showing them how to generate and effectively manage income, create jobs to benefit the community, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. The weekly and after school JA In-Class Program format consists of five to eight 45-minute classroom visits. The JA-In-A-Day Program enables volunteers to present the curriculum in one five-hour day is an excellent opportunity for corporate or community groups to volunteer.
- $293,063 spent. 3DE by JA is an innovative high school instructional model proven to accelerate student engagement and academic outcomes in traditional public high schools. The instructional model at 3DE schools is based around case method, wherein the cases are a platform to connect an interdisciplinary project-based approach to standards-based learning. Case Method integrates real-world concepts and experiences across all disciplines and subject areas, allowing students to gain access and skills to navigate careers in high-growth industries. The program is designed to expose students to hands-on, project-based learning challenges provided by local and national business partners. Students learn through real-world experiences to develop competencies for competitiveness, while increasing in-class engagement, discovering individual value, and accelerating academic comprehension. This comprehensive approach unlocks the creative capital of educators and fosters the behaviors, skills, and mindsets that drive student access and opportunity.
- $163,096 spent. In JA Career Speaker Series, a volunteer guest speaker visits the classroom or participates virtually and shares information about his or her career, work, and education experience. The speaker may bring props, work samples, or other visuals to help engage students. JA Career Speaker Series is part of the JA work and career readiness pathway and can be placed in grades K-12. The learning experience is available in classroom based, remote synchronous, recorded video, or after-school/out-of-school implementation. JA learning experiences support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness.The JA Career Speaker Series Program was utilized by school counselors during their career exploration lessons with students in grades K-5. These local videos helped to expose students to real careers available in our community. 96% of school counselors agreed that these videos enhanced their lessons and they were eager to participate again each year!
- $91,902 spent. The JA High School Heroes and JA College Champion programs transform high school and college students into role models who inspire elementary students by teaching the Junior Achievement curriculum. High school or college students are matched with an elementary school teacher and grouped into teams of 2 to 4 to teach a series of five 45-minute sessions, either weekly or in a day, to an elementary class. Heroes and Champions develop and enhance team building, public speaking, and leadership skills, while elementary students learn financial basics through fun and interactive lessons. The JA Programs are aligned to State standards. All JA programs focus on one or more of our three pillars of student success: financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. Each lesson is activity-based, reinforcing important concepts through hands-on learning.
- $86,500 spent. JA Launch Lesson recruits entrepreneurs and business owners to commit one hour of their time to share their stories and open the eyes of high school students to the opportunities of creating their own companies. Entrepreneurs and business owners are paired with a school that works best for their schedules and provides discussion guidelines for shaping their talk and engaging with students. The experience offers volunteers the opportunity to connect with students, provide relevant information about their company and entrepreneurial journey, and share advice and next steps for students who are interested in starting their own businesses.
- $78,314 spent. JA Inspire is more than a career fair; it brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch middle school students into their future high school, college, careers and beyond. The program is both classroom- and event-based and consists of three segments: 1. In-class sessions presented by the classroom teacher; 2. the hands-on JA Inspire Expo; and 3. an in-class debrief. During the JA Inspire Expo, students participate in hands-on activities, often using equipment or tools used on a job. The multi-hour experience is configurable to align with local industry and career opportunities. JA Inspire is part of the JA work and career readiness pathway and is intended for middle school students (grades 6-8). JA programs support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness.JA Inspire provides opportunities for students to learn about different career industries. Not all students receive career mentorship at home or have access to all the career options that may be available to them. Through JA Inspire, students get the opportunity to learn about careers from caring mentors in time to plan their high school coursework, have a better path to success, and a pathway to prosperity. For businesses, this is their chance to build their future workforce through experiential and hands-on learning.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.