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Message EMPOWERING YOUNGPEOPLE TO CREATE ABRIGHT FUTUREFY25IMPACTREPORT

EMPOWERINGYOUNG PEOPLETO CREATE ABRIGHT FUTURE!Dear Friends of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, As we reflect on the past year’s achievements, we are filled with pride and excitement for the continued momentum of Junior Achievement of CentralIowa. Serving as the outgoing and incoming chairs of the Board of Directors, it isour privilege to celebrate the remarkable impact being made by theorganization throughout Central Iowa. JA of Central Iowa equips thousands of young people with the knowledge, skillsand confidence they need to own their future success. Through strong partnerships with school districts, volunteers, and business leaders, ourprograms in work and career readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacycontinue to grow and evolve, meeting students where they are and preparingthem for what’s next. The 2024-2025 school year brought renewed momentum that shined through our hallmark events, growing partnerships, and inspiring journeys of student growth. Behind every number in this report is a young person gaining the toolsto thrive. As we prepare for the new school year, we are particularly excited to expandour impact in central Iowa with the launch of 3DE by Junior Achievement—aninnovative educational model that connects core learning with real-worldapplications, bringing relevance and opportunity into the classroom like neverbefore. We’ve both had the opportunity to see some of the 3DE impacts inperson and we’re extremely impressed. We can’t wait to see this model inaction for our region. Thank you to our dedicated board, staff, volunteers, and partners. Yourcommitment fuels everything we do. Together, we continue to build a strongerfuture—one student at a time. With gratitude and shared purpose, Kurt Gibson Rachel Adams2024-2025 Board Chair 2025-2026 Board ChairA LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIRS

Dear Benefactors, Educators & Volunteers, This past year has been a remarkable journey of growth, innovation, and impact, and none of it would have been possible without your unwavering support. Volunteers, your dedication and passion have laid the foundation of our success. Your commitment to mentoring and guiding our students has positively influenced their lives. Educators, your teamwork and enthusiasm have ensured that our programs are smoothly integrated into the curriculum, providing students with real-world experiences that enhancetheir academic learning. Benefactors, your investment provided the fuel forour growth and contributed to record “returns of impact.”Thanks to your collective partnership, the JA mission has inspired thousands ofyoung people to envision their futures and reach their goals. This past schoolyear, we served over 43,000 Central Iowa K-12 students with 496,000instructional hours, setting new records in our 70-year history. Our K-5 in-school programs continue to provide engaging activities forstudents and inspire hope for their future. Our Experiential Learning Centers,JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, offer unique opportunities for pre-teens,promoting self-efficacy and real-world connections. At the high school level, we are proud to announce that 26 students earnedthe JA Essential Work Skills Credential. This outcome indicates that studentspassed six assessments, demonstrating key future-ready skills: Critical andAnalytical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation, Cultural Agility, EffectiveCollaboration, Engaging Communication, and Self-Direction. These skills alsoform the foundation of our innovative instructional model, 3DE by JuniorAchievement, which I believe can truly transform high school education. Weare excited to launch 3DE at Marshalltown High School this upcoming schoolyear. Thanks to the generous support of F&G, we look forward to expandingthis model to more schools in the coming years (see page 17 for more detailson 3DE).Together, we have created a community where young people are inspired todream big and pursue their goals. Looking ahead, we are excited to continuethis journey with you, building on our successes and exploring new ways tomake an even greater impact on our collective future.Warm regards,Ryan OsbornPresidentA LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

TOGETHER WE’VE:4BIGMETRICSSTUDENTSINSTRUCTIONAL HOURS3,746VOLUNTEERS43,390496,226 199SCHOOLSWith your help, we’ve made apowerful impact:Junior Achievement of CentralIowa reached thousands ofstudents across Central Iowa,engaging them in meaningful,hands-on learning experiences.EMPOWERED ENGAGED WITHPARTNERED WITHDELIVERED

GRADE LEVELS5YOUR IMPACT IN ACTIONGRADE LEVELS“JA was a great experience andit helped me learn a lot aboutfinances and things I didn’tknow would be important inthe future.” -JA Finance Park Student199SCHOOLS SERVED41COUNTIESSERVED *THE MAPK-5 6-8 9-12 Mixed-Level0500010000150002000025000TIME WELL SPENTPROGRAMS BY THEINSTRUCTIONAL HOURSJA BizTown55.1%JA Finance Park27.4%JA Classroom Programs16.9%*We served 37 out of 47 counties in our territory (yellow) and 4 counties in neutralterritories (Blue).37Low-to-ModerateIncome Students Served%

JA BizTown integrates 12 hours of classroom instruction with a full-dayimmersive experience in a simulated town. This hands-on programenables elementary students to operate banks, manage businesses, writechecks, and participate in civic duties such as voting for mayor. Throughthis engaging experience, students connect academic concepts to real-world applications, building essential skills for future success.10,623Students Served86 Of students agreedthat the things they learned in JABizTown will help them besuccessful in their lives.A JA BizTown student applies real-worldskills while making a purchase at theKrause storefront, experiencingfirsthand how commerce and budgetingwork together.89% Of students agreethat they were confident thatthey could accomplish theirfinancial goals after JA BizTown. %

92 of students agree thatthey were confident that they couldaccomplish their financial goals aftercompleting JA Finance Park. 6,540Students ServedA JA Finance Park volunteer guidesstudents through the process ofbudgeting for transportation, helpingthem connect financial choices withreal-life responsibilities.JA Finance Park is Junior Achievement’s capstone program for middleand high school students, offering an in-depth exploration of personalfinancial planning and career opportunities. Combining a comprehensivecurriculum with a hands-on simulation, students budget for a simulatedlifestyle—balancing expenses like housing, transportation, and familyneeds—empowering them to build a strong foundation for makinginformed and responsible financial decisions.%91 Of students agreed that the things they learned in JAFinance Park will be important in their Future.%7

The JA Stock Market Challenge, presented by FarmBureau Financial, is a high-energy, fast-pacedcompetition that immerses high school students inthe excitement of simulated stock trading. In this hands-on event, held at John Deere Financial, students step into a dynamic, real-world market environment where they build critical skills in financial literacy, decision-making, and strategic thinking, while collaborating under pressure to outpace the competition. This year also included two additionalin-school challenges, expanding the program’s reach and impact.META OPENS A JA BIZTOWN STOREFRONTAs part of their support, Meta covered the cost of JA BizTown forstudents from Bondurant and Southeast Polk, allowing them to takepart in the program at no expense to their schools. In a celebration of innovation and partnership, JABizTown welcomed Meta to its communitywith an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thenew storefront gave students a hands-onopportunity to explore careers in technology,digital citizenship, and the power ofconnection. This exciting addition enrichedthe real-world learning experience.Meta’s Stef Seger and SoutheastPolk Superintendent, DirkHalupnik, joined Board Chair,Rachel Adams, JA President, RyanOsborn, and JA BizTown studentsto celebrate the Meta StorefrontRibbon Cutting.KEY MOMENTTHE JA STOCK MARKETCHALLENGE

JASponsored ByOur work would not be possible without the dedication and support of our incredible volunteers, educators, and partners. Together, you’ve helpedempower the next generation with the skills, confidence, and inspirationto build brighter futures. The JA Appreciation Event is a celebration ofyou, the champions who make our mission a reality every day.JA Company of the Year: Iowa Department of Insurance andFinancial ServicesJA School District of the Year: Urbandale Community School DistrictJA Finance Park Volunteer of the Year: Jon Leinen Mary LundyJA Classroom Volunteer of the Year: Sarah EnfieldKyndi JensenJA BizTown Citizen of the Year: David M. from Des Moines Public SchoolsTHE JA APPRECIATION EVENTStudents engage in hands-onlearning as they evaluateinvestment options and makeinformed financial decisions.423STUDENTS3COMPETITIONS9SCHOOLSThe next JA Stock Market Challenge willtake place on February 18, 2026, and wecan’t wait to see the next generation offuture investors in action. Corporatesupport is vital to make it possible.JA’s top company, district,volunteers, and Citizen of theYear await their moment onthe field to throw the firstpitch, celebrating theirincredible impact onstudents across Central Iowa.

JA ESSENTIALWORK SKILLSCREDENTIAL JA JOB SHADOWJA Job Shadowat John DeereFinancial JA Job Shadowat StaplesJA Job Shadowat UnityPointHealthThe JA Essential Work SkillsCredential is a program that enablesyoung people to earn stackablemicro-credentials, showcasing theessential skills that today’s employersand entrepreneurs value most.Through this certification, studentsdemonstrate their readiness for theworkforce and their commitment topersonal and professional growth.JA Job Shadow equipsstudents with the skills andmindset to navigate today’sdynamic workforce.Through immersiveexperiences with localbusinesses, students gainfirsthand insight into careerpathways and applyentrepreneurial thinking toreal-world scenarios. Theseconnections help studentsbuild professionalawareness and prepare forsuccess in an ever-evolvingeconomy.10JA’s Student Ambassador,Landon was the first in thenation, JA credential holder. He proudly displays his career readiness certificate and continues to be a shining example of leadership, initiative and the lastingimpact of JA programs. 26Credential Holders6JOB SHADOWS156STUDENTSThank You

1110District PartnersAt JA of Central Iowa, we are proud to havepartnered with these school districts to provideJA programs and experiences for theirstudents. District partnerships allow for morestrategic implementation that aligns with the district’s goals and initiatives.“The partnership with JA provides usthe vehicle for ALL of our students totake part in programming offeredBizTown and Finance Park are excellentopportunities we are excited to sharewith our students. It helps us live ourmission to Teach All and Reach All.”Students eagerly engage in aJA classroom program, handsraised and ready to explore theworld of financial literacy.DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPSWest Des Moines,Superintendent Dr. MattAdams lends a hand asstudents work together tobuild a bench in JA BizTown,showing that leadership andteamwork go hand in hand.- Urbandale School District Superintendent, Dr. Rosalie DacaAt the JA Appreciation Event,Urbandale Superintendent, RosalieDaca celebrates receiving the JADistrict of the Year award alongsideJA’s Ryan and Shannon.

SUCCEED PARTNERSJA of Central Iowa SucceedPartners’ annual contributionsimpacts over 800 Central Iowastudents with over 10,000instructional contact hours!PREPARE PARTNERSJA of Central Iowa PreparePartners’ annual contributionsimpact between 400 to 800Central Iowa students with asmuch as 9,500 instructionalcontact hours!INSPIRE PARTNERSJA of Central Iowa InspirePartners’ annual contributionsimpact between 200 to 400Central Iowa students with asmuch as 4,500 instructionalcontact hours!SUCCEEDPREPAREINSPIRE12

MidAmerican Energy has been a long-standing and valued partner of Junior Achievement. As a sponsor ofa JA BizTown storefront and JA Here to Careersponsor, they’ve provided critical funding andsupport for JA’s educational initiatives. Theirinvolvement extends beyond sponsorship,with employees volunteering in programs likeJA BizTown and JA Finance Park. MidAmerican also actively participates inmajor events such as the JA Bowl-a-Thon andJA Golf Classic. Additionally, leadership isreflected through Tim Grabinski’s service onthe JA Board of Directors.John Deere Financials is a dedicated JuniorAchievement partner, supporting programs as asponsor of JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and more.Their employees volunteer across key programs,including JA BizTown, JAFinance Park and the JAStock Market Challenge, which John Deere alsoproudly hosts. The company actively participatesin signature events like the JA Golf Classic, andtheir commitment is further reflected in TeresaGarside’s leadership on the JA Board of Directors.SUCCEED PARTNERSUCCEED PARTNERA MidAmerican volunteer supports students in JA Finance Park as they navigate real-world budgeting decisions and build essential financial literacy skillsA John Deere volunteermentors students in JAFinance Park, guiding themthrough real-life budgetingscenarios and helping themdevelop critical financialdecision-making skills13

SUCCEED PARTNERSUCCEED PARTNERF&G has been a generous and visionary partner in advancing Junior Achievement’s mission. As a key supporter of the launch of 3DE by Junior Achievement, F&G has played a vital role in bringing this innovative high school model to life. Their investment is helping reimagine education byintegrating real-world business challenges into everydayclassroom learning. Through their support, students areengaging in case-based learning, developing essential work-ready skills, and discovering career pathways they may havenever considered. Thanks to F&G, the launch of 3DE atMarshalltown High School marks an exciting step forward intransforming the high school experience.See what’s on the horizon for 3DE on page 17.Wells Fargo is a long-time, valued supporter of JuniorAchievement, providing key funding as a sponsor of JA FinancePark, JA BizTown, and other JA programs. Their employees actively volunteer in classrooms and participate in student experiences, reinforcing their deep and ongoing commitment to youth education. This leadership is further reflected through Marta Codina’s service on the JA Board of Directors. Together, their support helps equip students with the critical skills, real- world knowledge, and the confidence needed to thrive in school, career, and life. Wells Fargo’s partnership continues to be a powerful example of how business and education can come together tobuild stronger communities.Wells Fargo volunteers gather outsidethe JA Finance Park entrance, ready tohelp students explore personal financeand real-world budgeting throughhands-on learning14

SUCThe Iowa Department of Insurance andFinancial Services has made a remarkableimpact by generously helping underwrite thecost of 625 JA K–5 classroom programs acrossCentral Iowa as well as JA BizTown In-a-Day for500 students. This generous support fuels ourmission to inspire and prepare young people forsuccess in a global economy. Thanks to theirinvestment, thousands of students are gainingearly exposure to essential life skills likefinancial literacy, career exploration, anddecision-making. We are deeply grateful to the Iowa Departmentof Insurance and Financial Services for believingin the potential of our youth and supportingtheir journey toward a successful future.SUCCEED PARTNER(From left to right) JA’sShannon Gerard, HeatherKriener from the IowaDepartment of Insurance andFinancial Services, and JA’sRyan Osborn and Jenna Hullshowcase JA’s classroom kits,highlighting the tools thatbring financial literacy to lifefor students in Central Iowa.15INSPIRE PARTNERSAndersen CorporateFoundationBank of AmericaBerkshire HathawayEnergyBMOCasey’s General StoreCentral BankCommunity State BankCownie Charitable FundForvisPREPAREPARTNERSBusinessolverDotdash MeredithFarm BureauFinancial ServicesKrause GroupMetaNCMICPrairie MeadowsRSMSchindler AndersonGoperlud & Weese PCVariety- The Children’sCharityVenerableGreater Des MoinesPartnershipHy-VeeIMT GroupIowa BankersAssociationJ.B. Dahm HoldingsQuad GraphicsState Farm InsuranceUnityPoint HealthUS BankVermeerWeitz CompanyWillis Automotive

CORPORATE EVENTSThe JA Bowl-A-Thon is a high-energy event thatbrings co-workers together for team bondingand friendly competition, all while supporting apowerful cause.The JA Golf Classic is more than just a day on the links. It’s an opportunity for businesses to engage in meaningfulteam-building and network with fellow executives, all while supporting the mission of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa. Proceeds fromthis annual event help fund critical K–12 programsfocused on financial literacy, work readiness, andentrepreneurship.16We’re already looking forward to the next JA Golf Classic,scheduled for September 15, 2025 at Wakonda Club, aday where impact and opportunity meet on the course.153GOLFERS$238,581RAISED Participants not only enjoy a fun afternoon of bowling and networking with peers from othercompanies, but they also help JA strike out financialilliteracy by raising critical funds for K–12 programsin financial literacy, career readiness, andentrepreneurship. It’s a striking example of how doing good can be agreat time. Mark your calendars, the next JA Bowl-A-Thon is set for December 11th and 12th, 2025!Bowlers from JA Bowl-A-Thon Raffle Sponsor,EquiTrust gather for a group photo celebratingtheir support of JA and festive spirit.Golfers from DubuqueBank & Trust proudlydisplay their sponsorsign at the JA GolfClassic.204BOWLERS$57,616RAISED

COMING 2025-2026In August 2025, Marshalltown High School will become the first school inCentral Iowa to implement Junior Achievement of Central Iowa’sinnovative 3DE instructional model. This groundbreaking initiative ismade possible through a generous $250,000 donation from F&GAnnuities & Life, a company deeply committed to education andworkforce development.Through this partnership, 125 Marshalltown High School freshmen willhave the opportunity to be part of a transformative learning experiencethat connects classroom education to the complexities of the real world.The 3DE model integrates real business challenges into core academiccourses, emphasizing essential competencies such as creativity, criticalthinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Backed by data, 3DE hasbeen shown to improve key student success metrics, including increasedgraduation rates and reduced absenteeism.F&G’s contribution will fund critical components of the program’slaunch, including staffing, educator training, curriculum development,and the recruitment of local business partners. As the program scales toserve all students at Marshalltown High School in the coming years, itwill also help expose students to a wide range of career opportunitiesand build a future-ready talent pipeline.This initiative reflects F&G’s mission of turning aspirations into reality,and together with JA of Central Iowa, they are helping to shape brighter futures for Iowa’s youth.THANK YOU17

JA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEJA BOARD OF DIRECTORSOUR BOARDRachel Adams - Board ChairPhilip Randall - Vice/Chair-ElectBrandon Grimm - TreasurerCarrie Valster - SecretaryKurt Gibson - Immediate Past Board ChairAmanda Wuest - At-LargeCasey Decker - Community EngagementCommittee ChairJeff Austin - At LargeMarcy Klipfel - Nominating ChairMat Gleason - Investment Committee ChairMike Elam - Audit Committee ChairTeresa Garside - Immediate Board ChairDr. Theron Schutte - Education & WorkforceCommittee ChairTim Grabinski - Marketing Committee ChairTHANK YOUJA EMERGINGLEADERS BOARDSarah Nauman - ChairAlec WilcoxBrandon NeilBryan GriffithDalton GustafsonDani FreemanFiona GuoKyle WoiwoodLuke HonseyMackenzie LundyMarc WamplerMegan BantzNathaniel HerronRyan GoetzingerScott McEachronTaylor Hellman18Aaron MadisonAmanda HarlessBen RoachBrandy McDowellBrian OhorilkoBrian WallerDawn WellingDevin BoyerDr. Dirk HalupnikDonna BishopDonna HoffmanDr. Erick PruittGeoff ChristyDr. Ian RobertsJames GreenJames NowasellJasen DahmJason HamiltonJenica LensmeyerJessica HendricksJon HolstromJulie EgglestonKelli SchmidtKelly FlynnKelly RushDr. Kim TierneyKylie WhitecottonLaura HoweLonnie DafneyMajda HadzicManuel GutierrezMarissa BryanMarta CodinaMary Beth ZajicekMason ArnoldDr. Matt AdamsMatt ChristensenMatt GustafsonMeg SchneiderMike CisneyNaomi MyersDr. Nikki RoordaDr. Rosalie DacaRyan WeeseSanjeev SatturuScott HeideschShari Wood Shawn HollowayStacey JohnsonStephani ManningSteve McCulloughStuart RuddyTodd McGowan

THANK YOUJA TEAM19LEADERSHIPAmanda Winkelmann - Volunteer Manager - JA Finance ParkAnn Perterson - Simulation SpecialistDebbie Hauser - Simulation SpecialistElizabeth Riodan - Simulation SpecialistEmily Riedl -Education ManagerHeidi Carpenter - Simulation SpecialistHeidi Gruca - Education ManagerJeanette Legler - Simulation SpecialistJen Hansen - Experiential Learning Center Manager - JA BizTownJennifer Eastman - Simulation Specialist Jordan Child - Events & Stewardship ManagerKaitlyn Peters - 3DE Case Experience Director Karen Farris - Data & Executive CoordinatorKarina Hernandez - 3DE School & Partnership ManagerLeigha McQuade - Experiential Learning Center Manager - JA Finance Park Richard TeKippe - Grants & Outreach ManagerSeherzada Devedzic - Development Operations & Marketing ManagerSonja Florer - Simulation SpecialistRyan Osborn - PresidentShannon Gerard - Vice President - EducationAimee Graham - Director of Accounting & AdministrationJenna Hull - Director of Community ImpactRachael Haaland - Senior Manager - Experiential Learning CentersJA STAFF

20JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL IOWA6100 GRAND AVE | DES MOINES IA 50312CENTRALIOWA.JA.ORG@JACENTRALIOWA | @JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL IOWAFind usThank you to our incredible partners,volunteers, educators, and supporters. Yourgenerosity, time, and belief in our missionmake it possible for Junior Achievement toempower young people to create a brightfuture.Because of you, students across CentralIowa are gaining critical skills in financialliteracy, career readiness, andentrepreneurship. They are setting goals,exploring careers, and building theconfidence to navigate their futures withpurpose.WithGratitude