William S. Knight Foundation Awards JA of Wisconsin $50,000 to Support JA Finance Park Virtual® and JA BizTown Adventures® Programs

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – The William S. Knight Foundation of Brodhead, Wisconsin has granted Junior Achievement of Wisconsin $50,000 to support schools using the JA Finance Park Virtual and JA BizTown Adventures online simulation programs. The grant will offset the program fees for upwards of 7,000 Wisconsin students for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

“We recognize the extraordinary support of the William S. Knight Foundation for our educators and students during this challenging school year,” said Michael Frohna, President, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. By offering two of Junior Achievement’s premiere programs, JA Finance Park Virtual and JA BizTown Adventures at no cost to schools, we can provide our education partners with curriculum solutions that integrate financial literacy and career readiness into online learning resources.

JA Finance Park Virtual is designed to help students in grades 7-12 understand personal financial planning and career exploration. The program curriculum includes 13 lessons and an online simulation to help students learn financial concepts that will last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit.

JA BizTown Adventures is a “choose your own adventure” simulation wherein students learn how to run a business as they take on the roles of chief executive officer, chief financial officer, marketing director, sales manager, and consumer. The self-guided curriculum allows students to practice problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills, all while they weigh saving and spending choices, consider risk management and insurance strategies, and make personal and business-related financial decisions.

The JA Finance Park Virtual and JA Biztown Adventures virtual programs are available for any public, private, parochial, or home school, as well as other youth serving organizations. For more information, educators can contact Marta Weldon (mweldon@jawis.org) or go to https://wisconsin.ja.org to reach the Junior Achievement office near them. Classroom students will be registered on a first come, first served basis.