KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 13, 2026) – Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (JAKC) announced a renewed partnership with CommunityAmerica Credit Union, securing a $1 million investment that extends CommunityAmerica’s role as the presenting sponsor and exclusive banking partner of Junior Achievement BizTown® for an additional five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The renewal expands a long-standing partnership between the organizations, working together to advance economic opportunity and mobility for Kansas City youth. CommunityAmerica has supported JAKC as a trusted community partner through financial sponsorship and employee volunteerism. Together, they empower the next generation of leaders by building students’ foundational skills through the JA BizTown program.
“We’ve seen how early financial education can open doors for students, create lasting impact, and help them achieve their dreams,” said Lisa Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAmerica. “That’s what continues to inspire our partnership with Junior Achievement. Through this $1 million commitment, we’re expanding access to these experiences and helping more young people across Kansas City build confidence in their financial futures.”
“Our partnership with CommunityAmerica has transformed what’s possible for students participating in Junior Achievement BizTown,” said Megan Sturges, President and CEO of JAKC. “By investing in students now, we are equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence that can shape the direction of their lives and strengthen the future of our community. This renewed investment deepens a partnership rooted in shared values and a belief in the potential of every young person.”
JA BizTown blends classroom learning with a day at JAKC’s Youth Learning Lab, presented by the Mallouk Family Foundation. Students work as employees, consumers, and engaged citizens in a simulated economy. As the exclusive banking partner, CommunityAmerica plays a central role in teaching students foundational financial concepts and capabilities. Students operate a bank, manage money, and develop durable, transferrable skills that prepare them for lifelong financial confidence and economic mobility.
Since opening its doors in 2021, JA BizTown has delivered measurable impact for students across the Kansas City region.
Program Reach and Engagement:
- 24,291 students served
- 423,773 instructional hours delivered
- 7,544 volunteers engaged
- 72 school district and community partners served
Student Outcomes:
During the 2024-2025 school year, 84% of participating students improved their financial literacy skills and increased their understanding of the importance of saving, while 78% increased their career awareness and developed teamwork skills through interactive activities. 99% of teachers agreed that their students demonstrated the ability to work effectively with others, and 96% agreed that students demonstrated money management skills during the learning experience.
Through this renewed five‑year partnership, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City and CommunityAmerica will continue working together to expand economic opportunity for youth and support the development of tomorrow’s workforce and community leaders.
About Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City:
Since 1955, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (JAKC) has partnered with school districts, employers, and community leaders to impact more than 925,000 students across the region, connecting classroom learning to authentic, relevant experiences. As the region’s leading provider of experiential, career-connected learning, JAKC addresses the root causes that limit educational attainment and workforce access, including student disengagement, lack of relevance, and inequitable exposure to careers and financial knowledge. Guided by a long-term strategic vision focused on scale, sustainability, and systems change, JAKC deploys a continuum of proven solutions that equip young people with the skills, mindsets, and credentials needed for postsecondary success and meaningful employment to shift trajectories, strengthen the regional talent pipeline, and advance economic mobility for generations to come. Learn more at jagkc.org.