Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta is a one-star charity with an above-average results reporting score and Fair demonstrated impact, which is below average. It is financially transparent and has overhead costs outside Ci’s reasonable range. The charity’s funding reserves can cover program costs for three years and two months.

Founded in 1960, Junior Achievement Southern Alberta (JASA) is a member of Junior Achievement Canada (JA Canada). JASA partners with businesses, educators, and policymakers across southern Alberta to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. It operates in six offices across southern Alberta. In F2022, JASA ran 16 programs that reached over 40,000 students in 1,512 classes.

Junior Achievement Southern Alberta runs five programs for students in kindergarten to grade three: RoboGarden: Learn to Code, Ourselves, Our Families, Our Country, and Our Community. RoboGarden is a teacher-led program that takes students through the basics of Python and JavaScript programming for one hour each week. Our Community is a three-hour program that shows elementary students how business shapes our lives and strengthens society. Our Families is a three-hour program that explains how family members’ jobs contribute to the community. Our Country teaches students about Canada’s technology and innovation.

Junior Achievement Southern Alberta runs four programs for students in grades four to six: RoboGarden: Learn to Code, More Than Money, Our Business World, and A Business of Our Own.  More Than Money teaches students about earning, spending, sharing, and saving money in a four-hour session. Our Business World and A Business of Our Own are both four-hour programs that allow students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation.

Junior Achievement Southern Alberta has six programs for students in grades seven to nine: RoboGarden: Learn to Code, Personal Finance, Dollars with Sense, Stronger Together: Diversity in Action, Economics for Success, and Investment Strategies. Personal Finance is a one-hour program that teaches students money management skills. Dollars with Sense is a four-hour program that teaches students how to manage personal debt. Diversity in Action helps students understand how inclusivity can solve real-world challenges. Economics for Success looks at the advantages of staying in school and the transition from high school to post-secondary. Investment Strategies is made up of four one-hour lessons and an online competition that teaches youth how to save and invest for the future.

Junior Achievement Southern Alberta runs six programs for students in grades ten to twelve: Personal Finance, Indigenous Business Program, Be Entrepreneurial, Company Program, World of Choices, and Investment Strategies. The Indigenous Business Program is a 14-18 week program that provides students with the opportunity to make real business decisions and build relationships within the community. Be Entrepreneurial is a one-hour session that allows students to create business plans. Company Program is a four-month project where students launch and run a small enterprise with the help of volunteers from the local business community. World of Choices brings students together with Career Mentors in their desired field for five sessions to talk about different professions.

In F2022, Junior Achievement Southern Alberta received $1.2m in donations and special events revenue, up 63% from $739k in F2021.

Administrative costs are 23% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 42% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 64%. For every dollar donated, 36 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending and has been for the past three years.

JASA has reserve funds of $2.7m which can cover three years and two months of its annual program costs.

­­This charity report is an update that has been sent to Junior Achievement Southern Alberta for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 28, 2023 by Kiara Andrade.