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Junior Achievement of Utah Inc

EIN 87-0225875 · Salt Lake Cty, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy via partnerships with business, schools and volunteers. To teach key concepts of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
44
Volunteers
11,104
Highest pay
$259,100, president & chief executive officer

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    81 of 81 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $2.9 million spent. Many great success stories begin with the same words: It's not possible.At Junior Achievement, we believe in possible. By building a wide range of skills and nurturing self-belief through volunteers serving as mentors, Junior Achievement prepares young people for the future of work, teaches them how to think entrepreneurially, and ensures they have the tools to be financially capable adults. Our mission is to empower young people to discover their purpose. We help students connect what they're learning in school with life outside the classroom. We facilitate a deeper understanding of how the world works, encourage our youth to invest in their futures, and inspire them to follow their dreams. Junior Achievement's In-Class Programs are innovative, hands-on learning experiences that equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and in life. The curriculum is focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness and is facilitated by volunteers who mentor, inspire, and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. These volunteers come from all walks of life; they are community members, parents, business leaders, retirees, and college students and we know the connection with them is making the difference, especially to our most at-risk students. A recent JA alumni study reports 56% of our alumni have worked or are currently working in the same field as one of their JA volunteers. Junior Achievement's programs are especially impactful to our at-risk students who seldom see the various career opportunities available to them in their future. The Spencer F. Eccles JA City in Salt Lake has served students since 2007, and we are pleased to announce that we opened a second location, Woodbury JA City in Orem, in the spring of 2023. Together, the two JA Cities host over 19,000 fifth and eighth grade students annually and are each home to storefronts and kiosks sponsored by local businesses. Each JA City is a 10,000 square foot learning facility, and students bring these spaces to life as they learn about 21st century skills including critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, problem solving, financial literacy, and communication, both from a business and personal perspective. JA City hosts two vibrant experiences: JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. The JA BizTown interactive program creates an unmatched experience where fifth grade students participate in a simulated economy and take on the challenge of operating a business. Students not only learn the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, but also discover the abundance of opportunities available within their city. At JA Finance Park, students have the rare opportunity to experience their personal financial futures first-hand. Eighth grade students are given a personal scenario in an immersive simulation that enables them to develop skills to successfully navigate our complex economic environment and discover how decisions made today can impact tomorrow and a lifetime. Junior Achievement of Utah and Junior Achievement of Idaho joined in 2022, and together they are committed to providing quality education to Utah's and Idaho's 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 November 6, 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 November 4, 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.