Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida proudly announces it has received a $40,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to help prepare middle and high school students in the region for the workforce. The foundation has generously supported Junior Achievement’s efforts with annual grants for the past eight years.

“With the generous support of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, we will empower nearly 20,000 students across Southwest Florida with the critical knowledge and skills to thrive in the workforce,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “The hands-on learning and guidance offered through JA programs provide students with valuable experiences that set them up for future success.”

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida connects students from both public and private schools with local business professionals who serve as role models. These professionals teach practical lessons and inspire students by sharing their real-world experiences. They guide young people toward success by highlighting the importance of education and essential life skills. In addition to working within schools, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida also partners with after-school programs and groups that serve at-risk youth. The grant will support vital programs to prepare students for the workforce, including the region’s largest career expo, JA Inspire, Career Connect, Career Success, and the JA Career Exploration Fair.

Equipping young students with practical knowledge helps them smoothly transition into adulthood, emphasizing financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement alumni have a strong track record of earning college degrees, confidently managing their finances, and achieving career success. Many have even gone on to launch their own businesses.

“We’re honored to collaborate with an incredible organization like Junior Achievement,” said Mary Beth Geier, Florida Director of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. “The impact they have on preparing the next generation will leave a lasting mark on the Southwest Florida region. We’re thrilled to support their mission of empowering young people with the skills and confidence to succeed.”

For more information about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, its programs, and its impact on the community, please visit JASWFL.org.

About the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze, to give back to the communities where Dick and his family grew up – in Minnesota, where he built Best Buy to become the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer, and in Florida, where he now maintains a permanent residence. The Schulze Family Foundation creates grant partnerships with organizations that generate meaningful results in human and social services, education, and health and medicine. In all its activities, the Foundation embraces its founder’s vision to strengthen and support initiatives that lead to change within our communities. For more information, please visit SchulzeFamilyFoundation.org.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills and pre-K youth to ensure children get a solid head start. Today, JA reaches more than 4.4 million students annually in 102 markets across the United States as part of 12.5 million students served by operations in more than 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit JA.org.

Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with classroom business volunteers during the 2023-2024 school year to provide 185,918 hours of instruction to 27,285 students throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590, or email info@jaswfl.org.