Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, in partnership with JA of Northern Indiana and JA of Southwestern Indiana (collectively, Junior Achievement) has received a $319,000 grant through the Youth Program Resilience Fund of Lilly Endowment Inc.
Junior Achievement will use the grant to transition traditional, in-person middle and high school programs, including JA JobSpark and JA Career Fairs, to an engaging, experiential virtual platform to deepen the impact of programming for virtual learners during the pandemic and beyond. With this support, Junior Achievement will be able to continue its commitment to empower young people to own their future success and shrink the learning gaps that will be caused by COVID-19.
“We are especially grateful for this generous support from Lilly Endowment,” said Jennifer Burk, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for our students and educators, it has also presented opportunities to reimagine, expand and enhance Junior Achievement’s career exploration initiatives. By creating exceptional programs delivered via robust virtual platforms, we can expand our geographic footprint and empower even more young people to own their future success.”
The grant to Junior Achievement is one of 297 that Lilly Endowment has made through the Youth Program Resilience Fund to help youth-serving organizations across Indiana adapt their work to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants from this fund are part of more than $170 million in grants Lilly Endowment has made to help organizations serve individuals and communities amid the pandemic.
For more information or to find ways to get involved in Junior Achievement programs, visit juniorachievement.org/web/ja-indy.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. Learn more at lillyendowment.org.
About Junior Achievement of Central Indiana
Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, in partnership with the business and education communities, empowers young people to own their future success. JA educates and inspires young people in the areas of career exploration, employability/life skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and philanthropy through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for children in kindergarten through high school. For more opportunities to get involved or volunteer, visit jaindy.org.