2023 ANNUAL REPORT
AMPLIFY THE ADVANTAGE™
OUR MISSION:
Empower our nation’s young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
“We will embark on our 2024 journey by bridging the past achievements of over 1.7 million youth and the dedicated adults that support them. We are ready to amplify the JAG Advantage™ with an exciting, big, and bold strategy: to go all-in on the most impactful elements that provide successful outcomes for our students and stakeholders, and scale them to serve several million more young people.”
Janelle Duray
JAG president and CEO
Dear JAG Family,
It’s exhilarating to reflect on the accomplishments and changes that shaped 2023 with you, the second year of our transformative Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which has helped us identify and respond to the most exciting opportunities for JAG, our Network, and our youth.
First and foremost, 2023 marked great successes for JAG. Another year of incredible outcomes was reported for our graduating Class of 2022, our second annual National Career Development Conference, with over 1,000 in attendance, the election of our second slate of national JAG Career Association Officers, and continued focus to tell the JAG Story by lifting the youth voice at all levels, a true embodiment of living our mission to empower young people.
For the first time in JAG’s history, a leadership transition and growing senior staff challenged to bring new perspectives, energy, and a fresh outlook to the helm of JAG.
Dear JAG Family,
It’s exhilarating to reflect on the accomplishments and changes that shaped 2023 with you, the second year of our transformative Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which has helped us identify and respond to the most exciting opportunities for JAG, our Network, and our youth.
First and foremost, 2023 marked great successes for JAG. Another year of incredible outcomes was reported for our graduating Class of 2022, our second annual National Career Development Conference, with over 1,000 in attendance, the election of our second slate of national JAG Career Association Officers, and continued focus to tell the JAG Story by lifting the youth voice at all levels, a true embodiment of living our mission to empower young people.
For the first time in JAG’s history, a leadership transition and growing senior staff challenged to bring new perspectives, energy, and a fresh outlook to the helm of JAG.
Many have commented on how smoothly the leadership transition has been, and I give much credit to our founder and CEO for 43 years, Ken Smith. Ken demonstrated grace and wisdom as he stepped back from his dedicated leadership of JAG, and I have 13 years of his mentoring and coaching guiding me in this post.
I recognize that reflecting and recalibrating are essential during moments of great change. We must recognize our achievements and unique strengths to identify areas where we excel and acknowledge the spaces where improvement is needed. This introspection is crucial as we lay the foundation for the future of JAG and move in step with an exciting future of innovation and elevation.
The national executive leadership team, the board of directors, and our staff have all embraced the concept of a 10X future for JAG, a mindset that will enable us to do great things together.
Embarking on a 10X strategy is not the traditional push to scale. Instead, it’s identifying and fully embracing what makes JAG unique, going all-in on those elements, and committing to delivering them with exceptional, if not extreme, quality. In doing so, quantity, or scale, becomes a byproduct of intense quality.
Our young people, our employers, and our nation are seeking solutions, and we know that the JAG Advantage must be part of the answer. We must challenge ourselves to define our new “best” just as we do for our youth, and just like them, we will rise to the occasion.
To get started, we ask ourselves: What makes JAG so impactful? How do we adapt to new and complex challenges facing our youth and innovate to meet the changing needs of our workforce?
We accepted these challenges in 2023 and are fully immersed in an inclusive strategic planning process throughout 2024 and will be ready to launch our new strategy in 2025. We have the critical elements for success, and with the discipline to fully embrace them, opportunity abounds with the collective impact of extraordinary partnerships: national, state, and local entities, schools and dedicated staff and Specialists, community leaders, 19,000+ employers, and public and private sector funders, all sharing their insights and guidance with us.
I am honored to be alongside you and thank you for your unwavering dedication and passion for our mission. Together, we will elevate, innovate, and change the lives of countless more youth!
Janelle Duray
President & CEO, Jobs for America’s Graduates
From the Desk of the 2023-24 JAG Career Association President: Kira Canada
Being president of the JAG Career Association (CA) last year revealed the incredible impact of JAG. It goes beyond college or career preparation; it empowers us to become well-rounded, confident individuals ready to conquer the world.
JAG has so given me so many opportunities to grow. Attending the National Leadership Development Conference and the National Student Development Conference were incredibly empowering, and being part of CA gave me the chance to give back. We organized career fairs, workshops and created a platform for students to connect with employers.
None of this would have been possible without the guidance of JAG career specialists. They helped me identify my strengths, discover my passion for criminal justice/law and develop a roadmap to achieve my career goals.
JAG has given me the confidence, skills, and support to succeed. I’m incredibly grateful for this program and the fantastic people who make it possible.
Thank you, JAG!
KEN SMITH:
HONORING
A LEGACY
On November 29, 2023, JAG hosted a special reception to commemorate the retirement of our esteemed founder, Ken Smith. This momentous event signified our leadership shift and acknowledged a visionary leader’s immeasurable contributions. A driving force in JAG’s creation, Ken collaborated with Governor Pete duPont of Delaware on the design of the first statewide test of the JAG model and was actively involved with JAG since its inception.
Ken Smith’s remarkable tenure has propelled the organization to serve over 1.6 million young individuals during our 43-year history.
With Ken’s transition into retirement, Janelle Duray has taken the helm to propel JAG forward. As JAG’s former executive vice president and chief operating officer, Janelle steps into the role of president and CEO with a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for JAG’s mission.
Ken’s incredible legacy will illuminate the path forward for future generations. We salute the man whose vision has changed the lives of millions of young men and women and inspires each of us who carry his vision forward!
A CRITICAL NEED
OUR NATION’S YOUNG PEOPLE NEED HELP URGENTLY.
Learning, Student Leadership, National Events
JAG lifts the barriers for youth, ensuring success in school, work, and life.
From trauma to unhoused living and rising suicide rates, today’s youth face severe barriers to graduating and leading a successful life. What sets JAG apart is its ability to help youth overcome adversity. We meld Trauma-informed care with education, job skills, and hands-on work experiences to ensure students thrive.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Today’s high school graduates are three times more likely to live in poverty than their predecessors.
- Between 2008 and 2018, the suicide rate among 13- and 14-year-olds more than doubled.
- A staggering 54% of teenagers express deep anxiety about financing their futures.
- The high school dropout rate is higher today than in the 70s.
From poverty to past trauma,
JAG students face 10+ challenges
“JAG has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve improved my speech, found my voice, and confidently communicate and network. JAG has helped me evolve from a shy, withdrawn student to a confident, involved leader. As JAG NCA president-elect, I am proud to help my peers discover their voices and potential.“
– Austin Small-Jones, JAG CA president-elect
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Together, we can ensure students thrive. Donate today! If you’re an employer wanting to get involved, contact our Vice President of Development, Michelle Payne, at michelle.payne@jag.org to learn how.
BY THE NUMBERS
%
OF JAG SENIORS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL,
beating the national average of 86%
1.7 MILLION youth served since our inception
In 2023, JAG served
79,228 students
in 1,528 programs
across 37 states
%
ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES
(employed, enrolled in post-secondary or combination)
80-90% OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE A JOB OFFER
MORE THAN
EMPLOYERS SUPPORT JAG PROGRAMS
WE SUPPORT
DIVERSE LEARNERS
PORTRAITS OF IMPACT
NCDC Doubles in Second Year – almost 1000 attendees!
Our second annual National Career Development Conference (NCDC) was a smashing success! Nearly 1,000 JAG students from across the country converged in Orlando, FL, to participate in leadership development and skills competitions and to elect their national JAG Career Association Officers.
Frida Medrano
“As a first-generation daughter and daughter of both immigrant parents, my parents have sacrificed a lot for me. JAG has provided me with a platform to stand on my feet and make them proud.”
– Frida Medrano, JAG CA president
Million-dollar Boeing investment jet fuels vital initiatives.
In 2023, long-time partner Boeing invested $1 million to support JAG’s Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which ensures a successful transition for students entering the workforce. During JAG’s 12-month follow-up phase, JAG Specialists support students transitioning into the workplace , post-secondary, or both with roadmaps and benchmarks.
Ryah Klima
“JAG staff members treat me with respect and dignity that I had never experienced from a group of adults. They showed me that my voice is valuable to everyone, not just students.”
– Ryah Klima , former national JAG CA president
2023 JAG CA Week amplifies the student voice.
Thousands of JAG students from all 37 states participated in the 2023 JAG Career Association Week (JAG CA Week). This pinnacle cultivates young leaders and a sense of belonging for students nationwide. Check out the phenomenal Podcast from the JAG Career Association officers.
ADM partnership delivers a bounty of benefits.
ADM, a global leader in agricultural nutrition, provides JAG with significant funding and a wealth of agribusiness exposure for our students. Shared values and vision make the JAG-ADM partnership even more inspiring.
“We not only support JAG’s vision, we also stand ready to provide thousands of students with agribusiness opportunities through placements in internships, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships.” – Jennifer Cunningham, Vice President, Human Resources
Synchrony and JAG are in sync with the needs of youth.
Synchrony and the Synchrony Foundation have donated more than $1.5 million to JAG and its state affiliates since 2015. They have also hosted the JAG national staff at their annual retreat in Stamford, CT. And if that wasn’t enough, DJ Casto, Synchrony’s chief human resources officer, sits on the JAG board and Executive Committee. Talk about a powerhouse partnership.
“JAG’s mission aligns with ours, and we’re honored to help grow the next generation of leaders,” says Synchrony Foundation President Denise Yap.
JAG IS POWERED BY PARTNERSHIPS
JAG achieves its remarkable outcomes thanks to a “village” of supporters, including governors, nineteen thousand employer partners, donors, legislators, school administrators, and other champions and advocates
From the U.S. Department of Labor to corporations and organizations, our partners make JAG possible.
JAG partners do more than fund our programs and events. They also provide the internships, skills training, and career development experiences that set JAG apart from other organizations.
We are deeply grateful to supporters, large and small. From Fortune 100 firms like Microsoft to committed local businesses, our partners’ commitment to uplifting our nation’s youth inspires us, fuels our passion, and is vital to our ability to serve more youth in need.
Help us amplify the Advantage.
Visit https://jag.org/partners for more information, and contact our Vice President of Development to create your sponsored program. Contact michelle.payne@jag.org
Premier Partners
When we say thanks a million to Boeing, we mean it literally! Boeing has invested $1 million to support JAG’s Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which ensures a successful transition for students entering the workforce. During JAG’s 12-month follow-up phase, JAG Specialists support career pathways and opportunities for students transitioning into the workplace, post-secondary, or both, with roadmaps and benchmarks to guide the way.
We are grateful for Boeing’s ongoing partnership and support. Thank you for powering the JAG journey from the classroom to career success!
ADM, a global leader in agricultural origination and nutrition, has partnered with JAG to provide a significant contribution through ADM Cares and a wealth of agribusiness exposure for our students. The funds supported a wide range of key initiatives, including employer engagement with ADM employees across several JAG affiliates.
JAG is extremely grateful for ADM‘s contribution and is thrilled to be working together. Agriculture and its related industries provide 10.4 percent of U.S. employment. A special thank you to ADM board member Jennifer Weber, CHRO for all her support. Our students will be able to learn, grow, and lend their skills to an industry trailblazer!
Synchrony and the Synchrony Foundation have donated more than $1.5 million to JAG and its affiliates since 2015. The company is more than a financial partner. They proudly support JAG and its inspiring mission to equip students with skills to succeed in the workplace.
“JAG’s mission very much aligns with ours, and we’re honored to help grow the next generation of leaders,” says Synchrony Foundation President Denise Yap.
And there’s more! Synchrony’s generosity didn’t stop at financial contributions. In October, they hosted the JAG national staff at their annual retreat in Stamford, Conn., an epicenter of collaboration, innovation and good JAG vibes.
Janelle Duray, JAG national’s CEO, sings Synchrony’s praises, “Top-notch hospitality, staff to supercharge our efforts, and a stunning space at their corporate HQ. What more could we ask for?”
And if that wasn’t enough, DJ Casto, Synchrony’s chief human resources officer, sits on the JAG board and Executive Committee. Talk about a powerhouse partnership.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Synchrony and the Synchrony Foundation. Thanks to you, JAG is very much in synch with the needs of today’s youth!
“JAG can provide new opportunities and relevant industry-recognized certifications for students interested in pursuing in-demand tech careers.” – David Campbell, Director, Microsoft Leap
During the 2018-19 school year, JAG and Microsoft enhanced their partnership in alignment with Microsoft’s Skills and Employability initiative, empowering JAG students to gain expertise with critical platforms and business fundamentals. JAG students in Fresno and San Diego, CA, were offered industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications in Excel, Database concepts, and more.
Microsoft’s partnership continues to support students in preparing for and securing the many certifications needed to be eligible for data analyst positions, which are among the most in-demand positions in tech.
JAG and Microsoft also collaborate on a summer program in partnership with local partners in Phoenix, AZ. In addition, JAG AZ has been working with local dropout prevention programs and Maricopa Community College to make online micro-credentialing courses available to all JAG students.
Since 2008, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have provided over $13 million in funding to JAG and its local affiliates. New JAG programs funded by AT&T incentive grants benefit thousands of youth and allow JAG to expand and serve more young people in need.
AT&T’s grant also supports local mentoring events between JAG students and AT&T employees through AT&T’s Aspire program. AT&T, the National Retail Federation Foundation, and JAG teamed up to offer the NRF Foundation’s Retail Industry Fundamentals Credential to over 100 JAG students in 7 Aspire communities. The industry-recognized credential prepares students for customer service roles in AT&T retail stores.
Nicole Perry, Specialist, Morgan County High School, West Liberty, KY, expresses our appreciation for AT&T’s valued partnership: “My students have had so many positive experiences with employers, the community, and within the classroom, and I’m incredibly proud of their successes. I’m also extremely grateful to AT&T for their generous grant to help sustain our local program.”
Partners
INVEST IN OUR NETWORK.
TELL THE JAG STORY.
AMPLIFY THE ADVANTAGE.
The “Youth Opportunity and Outcomes 2024” strategic goals are a commitment to our nation, employers, and, most of all, to underserved and underrepresented young people across our country.
In 2023, we made great strides in achieving the core priorities of our Youth Opportunity and Outcomes 2024 strategic plan:
- invest in our network,
- serve more young people
- tell the JAG story
- improve our outcomes.
We are committed to rigorously augmenting our program quality and telegraphing the JAG Advantage to supporters and young people in need. These investments will pay dividends in expanding youth opportunities for years to come.
We’ll serve more young people while telling the JAG story, emphasizing the youth voice. And we’ll improve outcomes for young people by enhancing our services. This work represents a deeper investment in the holistic success of our young people than ever before.
“We like to call this thinking 10X. We have a bold strategic plan to change the lives of tens of thousands more young people each year. We will go big by being the best, building the infrastructure we need to sustain and increase our excellent outcomes.”
– Janelle Duray, President and CEO
Financials
Assets:
Cash: $843,433
Receivables: 1,480,017
Other Current Assets: 172,779
Investments: 4,291,626
Total Assets: 6,787,855
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable: 449,377
Pass-Thru Funding: 250,000
Accrued Expenses: 352,651
Deferred Revenue: 1,208,202
Total Liabilities: 2,260,230
Net Assets:
Without Donor Restrictions: 4,410,246
With Donor Restrictions: 117,379
Total Net Assets: 4,527,625
Total Liabilities and Net Assets:
%
Program Services
%
Management & General
%