Economic Education
Delivers comprehensive curriculum teaching students financial literacy, business operations, and economic systems through experiential learning
Preparing Chicago youth for economic success through education
About Organization
Inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy through programs teaching financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Based in Chicago, IL, Junior Achievement of Chicago delivers hands-on experiential learning programs to K-12 students throughout the Chicago area, with annual revenue of $2.8 million and support from volunteers helping students develop critical career skills.
Economic Education
Delivers comprehensive curriculum teaching students financial literacy, business operations, and economic systems through experiential learning
Career Readiness
Prepares students for workforce through professional skills training, career exploration, and connections with business mentors
Community Partnership
Mobilizes Chicago business community to support youth development through volunteering, funding, and strategic guidance
Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.
Revenue (2023)
$7.7M
+51.5% vs 2022
Expenses (2023)
$5.8M
+9.5% vs 2022
Assets (2023)
$28.5M
+4.9% vs 2022
Employees (2023)
61
+7% vs 2022
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7,740,012 | $5,816,716 | $28,460,820 | 61 |
| 2022 | $5,109,705 | $5,311,755 | $27,139,905 | 57 |
| 2020 | $5,399,487 | $3,558,032 | $26,961,592 | 86 |
| 2019 | $5,288,051 | $5,913,397 | $20,522,078 | 108 |
| 2018 | $6,976,815 | $7,082,225 | $21,387,031 | 88 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.
Collaborates with schools to integrate research-based curriculum meeting academic standards and teacher needs
Recruits, trains, and coordinates 3,694 professionals delivering programs and mentoring students
Provides hands-on activities and simulations making abstract economic concepts concrete and memorable
Measures program outcomes tracking student confidence, knowledge gains, and career aspirations
Services and programs offered by Junior Achievement Of Chicago
Delivers curriculum in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship through volunteer-led classroom sessions aligned with state standards
Provides immersive simulation where middle school students manage household budgets, make financial decisions, and navigate economic tradeoffs
Connects students with professionals for job shadowing, career exploration, and mentorship building workplace readiness skills
Mobilizes 3,694 business professionals to deliver programs, bringing real-world expertise and diverse role models to classrooms
Meet the people behind Junior Achievement Of Chicago.
1940
1940
Founded Junior Achievement of Chicago bringing economic education programs to students across metropolitan area
2000s
2000s
Launched JA Finance Park facility providing immersive budget simulation experience for middle school students
2022
2022
Mobilized 3,694 business volunteers delivering programs reaching expanded student population across region
2023
2023
Achieved $7.7 million revenue with $28.5 million in assets supporting expanded programming and facility operations
Board members, advisors, and key contributors
Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.
Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990
Total Reported (2023)
$1.4M
Highest Paid
$446K
Thomas Staab
Compensated Officers
6
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Staab | President & CEO | $428,481 | $17,386 | $445,867 | 37.5 |
| Maria Ramos | SVP Of Education & Operations | $229,262 | $19,792 | $249,054 | 37.5 |
| Ravi Parakkat | VP Of Digital Transformation | $174,543 | $27,088 | $201,631 | 37.5 |
| Terrance Guthrie | VP Of Finance And Administration | $179,798 | $18,000 | $197,798 | 37.5 |
| Derek Ernst | VP Of Development | $184,074 | $9,749 | $193,823 | 37.5 |
| Amy Youngberg | VP Of Programs | $131,994 | $14,670 | $146,664 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Staab | President & CEO | $412,722 | $16,810 | $429,532 | 37.5 |
| Maria Ramos | SVP Of Education & Operations | $208,840 | $21,183 | $230,023 | 37.5 |
| Terrance Guthrie | VP Of Finance And Administration | $171,117 | $17,972 | $189,089 | 37.5 |
| Ravi Parakkat | VP Of Digital Transformation | $162,627 | $26,455 | $189,082 | 37.5 |
| Derek Ernst | VP Of Development | $174,818 | $9,754 | $184,572 | 37.5 |
| Amy Youngberg | VP Of Programs | $113,777 | $14,910 | $128,687 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Daffe' | President & CEO (Until 11/1/2020) | $505,770 | $19,233 | $525,003 | 37.5 |
| Thomas Staab | President & CEO (As Of 11/1/2020) | $232,397 | $1,560 | $233,957 | 37.5 |
| Maria Ramos | VP Of Operations | $164,781 | $10,255 | $175,036 | 37.5 |
| Derek Ernst | VP Of Operations | $150,930 | $1,017 | $151,947 | 37.5 |
| Terrance D Guthrie | VP Of Finance And Admin | $130,861 | $10,006 | $140,867 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra L Daffe' | President And CEO | $475,298 | $147,542 | $622,840 | 37.5 |
| Thomas Staab | Executive Vice President | $221,387 | $29,463 | $250,850 | 37.5 |
| Maria Ramos | VP Of Operations | $157,305 | $32,223 | $189,528 | 37.5 |
| Derek Ernst | VP Of Operations | $152,771 | $21,673 | $174,444 | 37.5 |
| Terrance D Guthrie | VP Finance And Admin | $118,627 | $24,967 | $143,594 | 37.5 |
| Name | Title | Base | Other | Total | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra L Daffe' | President | $457,575 | $160,965 | $618,540 | 37.5 |
| Thomas Staab | Executive Vice President | $189,389 | $31,204 | $220,593 | 37.5 |
| Maria Ramos | VP Of Operations | $154,076 | $32,217 | $186,293 | 37.5 |
| Derek Ernst | VP Of Operations | $138,992 | $23,400 | $162,392 | 37.5 |
| Terrance D Guthrie | VP Finance And Admin | $102,346 | $25,708 | $128,054 | 37.5 |
Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.
Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings
Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.