Jobs for Arizona's Graduates

What Jobs for Arizona's Graduates does

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates (JAG Arizona) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and workforce development organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, operating as an affiliated state program of the national Jobs for America's Graduates network. The organization delivers career readiness, leadership development, and academic support to middle and high school students (grades 6-12) as well as out-of-school youth across Arizona, serving over 1,300 students annually through approximately 30 program locations statewide. Its core delivery model embeds trained JAG Specialists directly inside partner schools as classroom coordinators, complemented by a community-based delivery arm (JAG Works) and an elite leadership track (LEADS, sponsored by University of Phoenix).

The organization's underlying "technology" is its evidence-based 44-competency curriculum, delivered through project-based learning, employer engagement frameworks (Exploration-Exposure-Experience), and a structured Career Association that runs signature annual events including the Leadership Development Conference, Career Development Conference, and Legislative Day. JAG reports outcomes materially above Arizona baselines: a 99% graduation rate versus the state's 77% average, a 96% positive outcome rate (employment, postsecondary, military, or combination), and $8.8 million in scholarships secured by students cumulatively.

JAG's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack: in FY24, federal and state government grants accounted for approximately 64% of the $2,438,695 total program cost, with the remainder sourced from corporate sponsorships (tiered from $1,000 to $100,000 for new program site launches), foundation grants, individual donations, and Arizona Charitable Tax Credit contributions (QCO Code 20092). The cost to serve each student is approximately $1,500 per year. Customer/beneficiary segments include economically disadvantaged students (77% eligible for free lunches), school districts, and a growing employer-partner network spanning energy/utilities (APS, SRP), aerospace (Boeing), manufacturing (Honeywell), financial services (Credit Union West, Desert Financial), and postsecondary institutions (University of Phoenix, ASU, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College).

Name

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates

Legal name

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates

Website

https://jagaz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1980, that delivers an evidence-based career readiness and workforce development program to over 1,300 Arizona middle and high school students across 30 sites, funded primarily by federal grants, corporate sponsorships, and charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAOAC

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

SECONDARYEDAAAEAC

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Continuing Education (Noncredit) & Lifelong Learning Programs

SECONDARYEDAMAIAF

Communication, Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Skills

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Life Skills & Personal Development (Study Skills, Executive Function, SEL)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Career readiness
• Youth education
• Dropout prevention
• College access

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors, corporations, and foundations provide financial support through one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, corporate matching programs, and scholarship funding. The cost to serve each student is $1,500 per year.
2. Federal and State Government Grants: JAG receives federal funding including a two-year $120,000 sub-grant through the US Department of Labor. Additional federal funding comes through the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family in partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. In FY24, 64% of the $2,438,695 total program cost was funded through federal grant sources.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Companies sponsor events (Career Development Conference, Leadership Development Conference, Rising Stars Awards), student participation, scholarships, and program sites. Sponsorship tiers range from $1,000 to $100,000 for launching new program sites.
4. Arizona Charitable Tax Credit: As a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO Code: 20092), JAG receives donations that may qualify Arizona taxpayers for dollar-for-dollar state tax credits up to $938 (joint) or $495 (single).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates (JAG Arizona) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers evidence-based career readiness, leadership development, and academic support programs to middle and high school students across Arizona. The organization embeds JAG Specialists directly into schools, operates community-based programming through JAG Works, and provides 12-month post-graduation follow-up support to ensure students transition into employment, postsecondary education, military service, or vocational training.

Product overview

Jobs for Arizona's Graduates (JAG Arizona) operates a comprehensive workforce development and career readiness ecosystem serving middle school, high school, and out-of-school youth across Arizona. The organization offers three core programmatic tracks: Middle School Programs focused on transition preparation, High School Programs delivering career readiness and graduation support, and JAG Works community-based programming. The LEADS (Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, and Development for Students) program provides elite leadership development for top student performers. JAG Arizona complements its direct service programs with a robust calendar of signature events including the Career Development Conference, Leadership Development Conference, Middle School CDC, Rising Stars Awards Ceremony, Pathway Makers Luncheon, and Faces of JAG Legislative Day. The organization also administers scholarship programs and facilitates employer partnerships and volunteer engagement to connect students with real-world career opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEADS: Leadership program sponsored by University of Phoenix that enhances participants' leadership skills through training, real-world event planning, and mentorship
• JAG Works
• JAG Arizona

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% graduation rate vs 77% Arizona state average and 78% national average
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• University of PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold supporter ($25,000-$49,999) and LEADS program sponsor providing mentorship from University of Phoenix employees, professional insights, and leadership development support for JAG student leaders.
• Arizona Public Service (APS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold supporter ($25,000-$49,999) and long-term partner (28 years) providing financial support, volunteer engagement, APS STEM Day for Women, and presenting the APS Community Service Award annually.
• SRP (Salt River Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold supporter ($25,000-$49,999) and direct investor powering JAG programming at Gila Bend High School; employer partner providing internships, plant tours, and workplace experiences; awarded 2025 Power of Partnership Award.
• Desert Financial Credit UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze supporter ($5,000-$9,999) providing financial support for JAG programs.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner providing swag bags for JAG Coordinators, hosting school site tours, visiting classrooms, and engaging with students. Received 2024 Community Service Award. Actively supports student success through hands-on engagement.
• HoneywellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner that has hired JAG students for PPE production and quality inspection roles. Posts job opportunities for JAG students and alumni through the JAG jobs portal.
• Dress for Success ArizonasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional clothing including blazers for state officers and pop-up shops in schools to help JAG students present confidently for career opportunities and professional settings.
• Nikola CorporationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero-emissions vehicle manufacturer presented career opportunities to Coolidge High School JAG students, providing exposure to quality jobs in the emerging clean energy sector.
• Universal Technical Institute (UTI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Rising Stars Awards Ceremony venue and provides UTI Tire Changing Competition at CDC, supporting career exploration in automotive and technical trades.
• South Mountain Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona community college location serving as a JAG program site for students.
• Arizona State University West CampussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Pathway Makers Awards Luncheon venue (La Sala room) and provides campus tours for JAG students, supporting college and career readiness.
• Phoenix CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts annual Leadership Development Conference, providing venue for student leader training and development.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and technical skills training with employer-driven placement. Comparable as a workforce-development nonprofit with strong employer partnerships and outcome tracking, though focused on technology occupations and adult learners.
• National 4-H Council: National youth-development organization with career readiness, leadership, and workforce-preparation programming embedded in schools and communities. Comparable on the school-and-community youth-development model, leadership curriculum, and career-readiness outcomes.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth-mentoring nonprofit providing one-to-one mentoring relationships that support graduation and postsecondary success. Comparable as a school-and-community-anchored youth-development nonprofit with outcome-based programming and a similar donor/sponsor funding mix.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development nonprofit offering career-launch, workforce readiness, and postsecondary programming across club locations. Comparable as a youth-focused nonprofit with workforce readiness tracks, employer exposure, and a mix of school-and community-based delivery.

Others

• United Way: National umbrella nonprofit that funds workforce-development and youth-education programs, including JAG Arizona itself (Valley of the Sun United Way is a Platinum supporter). Comparable as a major funder/stakeholder in the same community-investment ecosystem.
• National Skills Coalition: Policy and advocacy organization advancing federal workforce and skills-training funding for underrepresented workers. Comparable as a stakeholder in the same federal funding ecosystem (WIOA, DOL apprenticeship grants) that JAG Arizona depends on.

Direct peers

• Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG National): The national parent/affiliate network of state-based JAG programs including JAG Arizona. Operates the same 44-competency model, national events (NSLA, NCDC), and outcome metrics across 40+ states, making it the most directly comparable organization on program design, funding model, and beneficiary profile.
• Year Up: National workforce-development nonprofit providing career training, employer partnerships, and post-program support to young adults. Comparable on nonprofit workforce-development model, employer-led placement, and outcome-driven funding, though focused on older youth (18-24) rather than K-12.
• Communities In Schools: National dropout-prevention organization placing site coordinators inside K-12 schools to deliver integrated student supports. Closely comparable in school-embedded service-delivery model, focus on graduation and postsecondary outcomes, and reliance on a mix of federal, corporate, and foundation funding.
• Cristo Rey Network: National network of 40+ Catholic college-prep high schools integrating corporate work-study into the school day. Directly comparable as a school-based, employer-engaged workforce-development model serving low-income high school students with structured career exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JAG_Arizona
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChTOh8_5IEoMauwAQvMQtoQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/JagArizona
• Instagraminstagram.com/jag_arizona

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jobs for Arizona's Graduates