SignalsAZ.com Prescott News Podcast - Arizona Nonprofit Gets $500K Grant for Student Programs
Episode Date: August 7, 2026Send us a text and chime in!Junior Achievement of Arizona has been awarded a 0,000, two-year grant from The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation to expand financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career ...readiness programming for K-12 students in Maricopa County, with a focus on low-income communities. The grant is expected to reach more than 10,000 students over the next two years, arriving as many Arizona families continue to feel the strain of inflation outpacing wage growth. Junior Achievement of Arizona President Katherine Cecala said the funding underscores a broader responsibility to help young people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for economic mobility, informed decision making,... For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/arizona-nonprofit-gets-500k-grant-for-student-programs/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network
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Junior achievement of Arizona has been awarded a $500,000, two-year grant from the Bob and
Renee Parsons Foundation to expand financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programming
for K-12 students in Maricopa County, with a focus on low-income communities.
The grant is expected to reach more than 10,000 students over the next two years,
arriving as many Arizona families continue to feel the strain of inflation outpacing wage growth.
Junior achievement of Arizona President Catherine Chakala said the funding underscores a broader
responsibility to help young people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for
economic mobility, informed decision-making, and stronger long-term outcomes.
Junior achievement of Arizona currently partners with 400 schools, nearly 3,200 educators,
and more than 9,000 volunteers statewide to deliver hands-on lessons on personal finance,
workforce readiness, and career exploration. The organization's volunteer-led model is built around
connecting classroom concepts to real-world situation students are likely to face.
Renee Parsons, co-founder of the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation and a junior achievement alum herself,
said every student deserves the chance to build a strong financial foundation regardless of
zip code or family income, and that the program equips students with practical, lasting skills
ranging from money management to career exploration. Bob Parsons added that financial literacy
gives young people the confidence to shape their own opportunities rather than wait for them.
Junior achievement of Arizona points to its alumni outcomes as evidence the model works,
with most former participants reporting that the program strengthened their confidence and
open doors to further education and career opportunities.
Story credit, front doors media.
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