Junior Achievement of North Florida Awarded Macquarie Group Foundation Opportunity Fund People’s Choice Grant

Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Macquarie Group Foundation Opportunity Fund People’s Choice Grant, thanks to a nomination from board member and Macquarie alum Inyam Griggs and the votes of Macquarie staff.

The People’s Choice Grants, an initiative of the Macquarie Group Foundation Opportunity Fund, are designed to engage Macquarie employees in directly selecting and supporting small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations that are working to support the most under-resourced communities in the US, and advance equity and justice for all people.

“I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to nominate Junior Achievement of North Florida for this grant,” said Inyam Griggs, JA Board Member. “This funding will make a real difference by helping more students gain access to financial literacy and career readiness programs that can shape the trajectory of their lives. I am proud to be a champion for this work and grateful to Macquarie and its people for recognizing the impact JA has on our future leaders.”

The Macquarie Group Foundation, which drives social impact work for Macquarie Group, received over 90 staff nominations from across the Americas region. JA was one of seven organizations awarded a one-year, unrestricted grant.

“This recognition is an incredible honor for our organization,” said Shannon Italia, President of Junior Achievement of North Florida. “Macquarie Group’s purpose of empowering people to innovate and invest for a better future aligns seamlessly with our mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. This support will allow JA to expand access to financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education for students across North Florida.”

JA North Florida reached more than 34,000 students last school year with the help of over 1,200 volunteers, delivering hands-on programs that teach financial decision-making, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. With the support of the Macquarie Group Foundation, JA will be able to continue breaking down barriers to economic mobility and helping students build brighter futures.

“The Macquarie Group Foundation takes an employee-led approach to giving, and we are delighted to join our staff in supporting the Junior Achievement of North Florida,” added Pritha Mittal, Macquarie Group Foundation Regional Director, Americas. “The Opportunity Fund People’s Choice Grant is one of many ways the Foundation leverages financial and non-financial resources to help achieve the greatest social impact possible, and JA’s one-year, unrestricted grant will enable their local efforts to drive meaningful change within the community.” Junior Achievement of North Florida extends its deepest gratitude to Inyam Griggs, Macquarie’s employees and the Macquarie Group Foundation for this recognition and investment in North Florida’s next generation of leaders.

To learn how you can support JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people for economic success, volunteer or donate today.

About Junior Achievement of North Florida

Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Since 1963, JA has been a leader in providing authentic and engaging experiential learning focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. By bridging the gap between education and business, JA connects students with dedicated volunteers and mentors to provide relevant life skills needed to succeed and thrive in today’s world. As part of the world’s largest organization devoted to youth empowerment, Junior Achievement of North Florida positively impacted almost 35,000 students and 345 educators during the 2024-2025 school year. To learn more about Junior Achievement of North Florida, visit www.janfl.org.