State Farm announced today that they are contributing $10,000 to Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain (JA) to provide financial education programs to middle and high school students in Larimer and Weld counties in Colorado, bringing the company’s total support of JA in northern Colorado to more than $175,000 since 1996.

JA is a nonprofit organization that empowers and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy by providing hands-on learning activities in three areas: financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Programming is delivered by corporate and community volunteers, providing a real-world connection for students who are inspired by the professional and personal stories the volunteers share with them. JA is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Funds are being used to deliver JA curriculum in Larimer and Weld county classrooms. Extensive third-party evaluations demonstrate that JA is closing the achievement gap in financial education. Students are showing strong gains in personal financial literacy outcomes thanks to JA programs. Additionally, students from less advantaged backgrounds are making larger gains in their financial knowledge, many times meeting or exceeding their more advantaged peers.

In addition to their long-standing financial support, State Farm employees have also regularly volunteered in JA classrooms for the last two decades. This past school year, State Farm volunteers helped JA programs in Northern Colorado reach nearly 16,000 students.

“State Farm recognizes the need for students to understand credit, banking, savings and money management to improve their odds of financial stability in the future,” said State Farm Public Affairs Specialist Tamara Pachl. “We are proud to support the work of Junior Achievement throughout northern Colorado and help provide the essential tools for student success.”