Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

K-12 in-class programs: through ja's proven in-classroom programs, jawpa empowered 57,787 youth in kindergarten through age 25, in 279 schools to own their future success. Our hands-on, age-appropriate programs were delivered by 3,030 corporate and community volunteer mentors. Our traditional in-classroom programs give students important knowledge and skills around financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship and prepare them to think critically. Our survey shows that 95% of educators would recommend the programs to fellow educators. Furthermore, elementary school students who receive junior achievement programs demonstrate significantly higher (27% higher) critical thinking and problem-solving skills than their counterparts.ja biztown program: jawpa's ja biztown is an experiential learning program that helps students connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world. The curriculum requires 4-6th grade students to participate in 12, teacher led of classroom instruction where they work together to create business plans, calculate operating costs, design a marketing campaign and apply for jobs, vote for city officials, and explore careers. Upon completion of the program, students who participate in ja biztown experience an overall 23% knowledge gain (on average) in financial literacy and work readiness skills. Of the educators whose students participate in ja biztown, 97% indicate that they would recommend the ja biztown program to fellow teachers. This year, 8,076 students participated in the ja biztown program. Jawpa partnered with over 49 businesses.ja inspire is jawpa's premier career exploration and work readiness program that allows students in6th-12th grade to explore careers of the future. This year over 4,004 students participated in the program. Ja inspire offers an engaging experience where students can participate in a guided or self-directed career readiness curriculum, explore a diverse career marketplace, and connect with Pennsylvania employers from various industries and career clusters through multiple virtual career exhibit halls the activities teach students to develop a career plan, interviewing techniques, important soft competency standards and career readiness credentials. This program provides valuable context for career and educational pathway planning and critical work readiness skills. Jawpa's educational events have equipped students with skills for life through professional and leadership development, career exploration and financial literacy. The educational events include, 18 under eighteen, empower her, and the stock market challenge. Jawpa serves students "off the field" opportunities which hone skills that will last a lifetime. These signature programs have helped students start their own non-profits, small businesses, and lead within their communities. Corporate partners, government leaders, and entrepreneurs help students discover opportunities and empower them to take charge of their future.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77.9%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 72.9%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.9 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.4%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.24; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.5; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.8%; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.6% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings