Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan

What Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan does

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan (JASEM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1949 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that delivers youth education programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness to students ages 5-25 across a 10-county region in southeastern Michigan (Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne). The organization operates as a regional affiliate of JA Worldwide — the world's largest organization dedicated to youth economic success and a four-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee — and is led by President & CEO Jason D. Lee with a 28-person staff.

JASEM's core program portfolio includes JA Inspire Virtual (a capstone career exploration program for ages 13-25), JA Finance Park (a hands-on financial education facility that, as of 2024, includes the Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center), JA Personal Finance Workshops (aligned with the new Michigan high school Financial Literacy graduation requirement), JA Career Success Workshops, Women In Skilled Trades (WIST), and the JA Stock Market Challenge. Programs are delivered at no cost to schools or students by corporate volunteers, community-based organizations, and educators, and curricula are correlated to State of Michigan educational standards.

The organization is funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events rather than tuition or fees. Key revenue mechanisms include the annual JA Inspiration Awards gala (presented by Delta Air Lines), the Chipping in FORE Kids Golf Classic (presented by Amerisure), the Emerging Leaders Forum, corporate sponsorships across multiple tiers (Gold: EY, Comerica, Magna, Lear, Levy; Silver: Ally, KPMG; Iron: KeyBank, RSM, Zurich, Independent Bank), and individual philanthropic contributions. There are no equity funding rounds, the organization has no subsidiaries, and financial results are not publicly disclosed. The business model is community-led, relying on a network of engaged corporate partners, volunteers, and a Board of Directors supplemented by an Emerging Leaders Advisory Board to deliver mission-aligned programming at regional scale.

Name

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan

Legal name

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan

Website

https://jamichigan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1949, delivering financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness programs to youth ages 5-25 across a 10-county southeastern Michigan region through corporate volunteers, schools, and community partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Financial Literacy and Career Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial & Consumer Literacy (Banking, Credit, Contracts) (EDAAAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

Keywords

• Youth financial literacy
• Career readiness education
• Entrepreneurship education
• Workforce development programs
• K-12 economic education

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, JASEM relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund youth programs. The organization hosts fundraising events including the JA Inspiration Awards gala and Golf Classic.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan delivers K-12 and young adult educational programs in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness, including JA Inspire Virtual (career exploration for ages 13-25), JA Finance Park (a hands-on financial education facility), Women In Skilled Trades (WIST), and classroom workshops aligned with State of Michigan standards. Programs are offered at no cost to schools and students and are taught in part by corporate volunteers to bring real-world context into the classroom.

Product overview

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan operates as a unified portfolio of youth education programs focused on Financial Literacy, Work-Readiness, and Entrepreneurship. The core programs include JA Inspire Virtual (capstone career development for ages 13-25), JA Finance Park (hands-on financial education facility), JA Career Success Workshops, and JA Personal Finance Workshops. Specialized offerings include Women In Skilled Trades (WIST), JA Stock Market Challenge, and the Emerging Leaders Forum for professional networking. Programs are delivered through corporate volunteers and community-based organizations, aligning with State of Michigan educational standards to serve youth ages 5-25 across a 10-county region since 1949.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JA Finance Park: A financial education facility providing hands-on learning experiences for middle and high school students.
• JA Inspire
• Chipping in FORE Kids Golf Classic
• JA Inspiration Awards
• JA Emerging Leaders Forum

Products and services

• JA Inspire Virtual Junior Achievement's capstone career development program for youth ages 13-25, brought to life by regional employers. The program meets State of Michigan Annual Career Exploration requirements and is delivered as a virtual career exploration experience connecting students with regional employers.
• JA Finance Park A physical financial education facility providing real-life financial management experiences and career pathway showcases to middle and high school students through corporate and community volunteer engagement.
• Women In Skilled Trades (WIST) A specialized program focused on exposing youth to career opportunities in skilled trades, aiming to diversify workforce pathways.
• JA Career Success Workshops Workforce readiness workshops designed to prepare students for career success through practical skills development.
• JA Personal Finance Workshops Financial literacy education programs aligned with the new Michigan State Financial Education high school graduation requirement, helping schools meet the 2023-2024 mandate.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered presenting sponsor, core, general sponsor, gold sponsor, silver sponsor, iron sponsor and supporting sponsor.

• Delta Air Linespresenting sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Air Lines serves as Presenting Sponsor for the JA Inspiration Awards annual gala, supporting JASEM's fundraising and mission to inspire youth.
• Amerisurepresenting sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerisure serves as Presenting Sponsor for the Chipping in FORE Kids Golf Classic, a major annual fundraiser for JASEM.
• Sachse ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with JASEM to open the Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center within JA Finance Park, providing hands-on career exposure in the trades.
• Delta Dentalgeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting JASEM programs and operations.
• Edw. C. Levy Co.general sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and supporter of JASEM, recognized at JA Inspiration Awards.
• AAA - The Auto Club Groupgeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting JASEM through events and programs.
• Bank of Americageneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and supporter of JASEM initiatives.
• Comerica Bankgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor supporting JASEM programs and events.
• EYgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor supporting JASEM programs and events.
• Levygold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor (Edw. C. Levy Co.) supporting JASEM.
• Leargold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor supporting JASEM programs.
• Magnagold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor supporting JASEM programs and Emerging Leaders Forum.
• Ally Financialsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for JA Stock Market Challenge event.
• GMgeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting JASEM initiatives.
• McDonald's of Michigangeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting JASEM programs.
• United Waygeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting JASEM initiatives.
• Toyota Motor North Americageneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting JASEM programs.
• JA WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJASEM is a member of JA Worldwide, the world's largest organization dedicated to youth economic success. JA Worldwide nominated for Nobel Peace Prize.
• GM Financialgeneral sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter recognized at JA Inspiration Awards 2022.
• KeyBankiron sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerIron level sponsor for 2026 JA Inspiration Awards.
• RSM US LLPiron sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerIron level sponsor for 2026 JA Inspiration Awards.
• Zurichiron sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerIron level sponsor for 2026 JA Inspiration Awards.
• Independent Bankiron sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerIron level sponsor for 2026 JA Inspiration Awards.
• KPMGsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for 2025 Emerging Leaders Forum.
• Serra Chevrolet of Southfieldsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for 2025 Emerging Leaders Forum.
• PVS Chemicalssilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for 2026 Golf Classic and recognized at JA Inspiration Awards.
• MSX Internationalsilver sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for 2026 Golf Classic.
• Blue Chip Partnerssupporting sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor and honoree employer (Volunteer Award recipient Matthew Mondoux).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Junior Achievement of New York: One of the largest JA affiliates delivering the same financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship curriculum as JASEM to a multi-county region — directly comparable in product portfolio and partnership-driven funding model.
• Junior Achievement of Georgia: Large southern JA affiliate offering JA Finance Park, capstone career programs, and entrepreneur programs with corporate sponsorship — closely comparable in program portfolio, fundraising events, and statewide curriculum alignment.
• Junior Achievement of Chicago: Major Midwest JA affiliate operating JA Finance Park-style facilities and capstone career exploration programs in a dense urban region — comparable in scale, corporate sponsorship base, and statewide standard alignment.
• Junior Achievement of Central Maryland: Mid-Atlantic JA affiliate delivering financial literacy and career readiness programs to youth through corporate volunteer networks and state-standards-aligned curriculum — directly comparable in mission, method, and school partnership model.
• Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland: Regional JA affiliate delivering financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship programs to youth in northeast Ohio through the same JA Worldwide model and curriculum — directly comparable in program portfolio, volunteer-led delivery, and nonprofit funding model.
• Junior Achievement of Central Indiana: Regional JA affiliate with similar volunteer-driven delivery, corporate sponsorship tiers, and capstone programs like JA BizTown and JA Finance Park — directly comparable in operating model and educational standards alignment.

Broad incumbents

• 4-H (National 4-H Council): National youth development organization delivering hands-on financial literacy, career, and life-skills programming to youth ages 5-19 through club and school channels — comparable in age range, supplemental educational mission, and donor/corporate funding model.
• Junior Achievement USA: National JA organization that sets curriculum, standards, and brand strategy used by JASEM — comparable as the umbrella operator providing program content, policy alignment, and the platform JASEM delivers against.

Emerging players

• EverFi: Education technology provider delivering financial literacy, college readiness, and career readiness digital curricula to K-12 schools — comparable in product overlap (financial literacy standards-aligned curriculum) and complementary channel to JA's volunteer-led model.
• Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE): National nonprofit delivering entrepreneurship education to young people from under-resourced communities through school partnerships — comparable in target demographic (youth, especially underserved), supplemental curriculum model, and partial overlap in entrepreneurship and career readiness offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-southeastern-michigan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan