June 27, 2023, Edison, New Jersey – Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ) announced today it received a grant for $25,000 from Bank of America (BofA) in support of its mission to empower individuals and families on a path to long-term success. This contribution is part of BofA’s ongoing commitment to advancing economic mobility in New Jersey and across the United States.

JANJ has been at the forefront of providing essential educational programs that inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. Through their initiatives, JA provides invaluable opportunities for students to gain real-world experience, develop critical life skills, and understand the importance of financial responsibility.

"We appreciate BofA’s generous support and continued investment in our mission,” said James Horne Jr., President & CEO of JANJ. "This grant will enable us to provide even more students with the tools they need to succeed and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Together, we are working towards building a future where economic opportunity is accessible to all, regardless of their background."

BofA recognizes the critical role that non-profit organizations play in addressing systemic barriers and fostering opportunities for underserved communities. By partnering with JANJ, BofA aims to strengthen the organization's efforts in equipping individuals with essential financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and employability skills.

Year after year, BofA volunteers return to teach JA in communities statewide. Operating funds will support and impact nearly 1,000 K-5^th graders as they gain foundational financial literacy skills. Additionally, the funds will engage more than 100 BofA/Merrill volunteers in New Jersey classrooms as role models helping young people to build these critical skills. This collaboration aligns with BofA’s overarching goal of building thriving communities by supporting economic advancement and reducing racial disparities.

“We know the importance of empowering students at a young age with the tools, resources, and education they need to take control of their finances,” said Alberto Garofalo, president of Bank of America New Jersey. “JANJ is doing impactful work to prepare young people for the real world, and together, we can help advance economic mobility in New Jersey.”

The $25,000 grant from BofA will help JANJ expand its reach, strengthen its curriculum, and enhance its ability to serve students and educators in communities throughout the state. The funding will directly contribute to providing resources, training, and mentorship programs that equip young individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving workforce.

As in years past, JANJ will allocate this BofA contribution to underwrite the participation of students from low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities within the bank's footprint in support of CRA. Through this strategic partnership, both JANJ and BofA will continue to drive positive change, empower individuals, and create a more equitable society.

About JA of New Jersey (JANJ):

JA of New Jersey (JANJ) is an award-winning, free educational resource JA operation dedicated to providing New Jersey’s youth with relevant experiential education in financial literacy, career readiness, entrepreneurship, and life skills. We imagine a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is committed to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JANJ’s learning experiences are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. For more information, visit janj.org and follow JANJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Bank of America:

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.