JA of Central Texas & Taco Bell Foundation Partner to Inspire Central Texas Elementary Students with the Tools of Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
Thanks to the support of the Taco Bell Foundation, Junior Achievement is inspiring young people and preparing them for success.
The partnership between Junior Achievement of Central Texas(JACTX) and the Taco Bell Foundation has allowed JACTX to pilot the delivery of JA’s More Than Money program to, new to Central Texas, out of the classroom experiences with the after-school students at Boone Elementary and Sunset Valley Elementary in Austin Independent School District, Pioneer Crossing Elementary in Manor Independent School District through YMCA Extend-A-Care and to the students at Willow Springs Elementary in Killeen Independent School District in their Financial Literacy Club. This new approach brought JA programming into out-of-school-time spaces in our area, reaching students who may not otherwise have access to JA’s hands-on financial literacy and entrepreneurship lessons.
In addition to the curriculum, students heard from JA Career Speakers who shared their work and entrepreneurial journeys, helping bring real-world context to the lessons and inspiring students to think about their own futures. Among the featured speakers was Destin George Bell, a Shark Tank recipient and trailblazing entrepreneur who inspired students to dream big, take risks, and believe in their own ideas.
The program not only inspired but helped students begin building foundational money management skills, explore the world of work, and understand how to earn, save, and spend wisely—all in a fun, engaging out-of-class setting. This pilot not only expanded JA’s footprint in Central Texas to schools and districts we had not been able to serve until this year but also demonstrated the potential of the reach and innovation when JA has partnerships like the Taco Bell Foundation to meet students where they are with real-world learning experiences.
Thanks to support from the Taco Bell Foundation, students are getting hands-on with their futures.
JAMM introduces upper elementary students to core concepts of financial literacy and entrepreneurship, all while meeting social studies learning objectives. With the help of an engaging JA cast of characters and interactive lessons, students explore money-management skills, goods and services, and global markets in a way that’s both fun and practical.
Following their experience, students will be able to:
Identify the role of money in everyday life.
Think like entrepreneurs and identify a small business they can start.
Learn the basic steps of starting a business.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money.
Explore the opportunities of global markets.
This pilot program marks the beginning of a deeper commitment to equipping Central Texas youth with the knowledge and confidence to own their financial futures—and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our partners, volunteers, and supporters like Taco Bell Foundation.
In 2024, the Taco Bell Foundation awarded $23 million dollars to nearly 450 youth-serving organizations in and around communities where Taco Bell does business.
