2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Leading Forward™
Advancing youth opportunity in a changing world
OUR MISSION:
Empower our nation’s young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
ensure they have the skills, support, and opportunities to thrive in it."
Janelle Duray
JAG president and CEO
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Looking back on 2025, I feel tremendous pride in what we’ve accomplished together.
For more than four decades, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) has built a nationwide network that helps young people overcome significant barriers and thrive in an evolving workplace. This year, we made great strides in strengthening that network and increasing our impact.
Our students gave us plenty to celebrate. The Class of 2025 achieved a 97% high school graduation rate and entered the workforce at rates that outpaced their peers nationwide. These results reflect the dedication of our Affiliates and Specialists, and the employers and community partners who open doors for young people every day.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Looking back on 2025, I feel tremendous pride in what we’ve accomplished together.
For more than four decades, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) has built a nationwide network that helps young people overcome significant barriers and thrive in an evolving workplace. This year, we made great strides in strengthening that network and increasing our impact.
Our students gave us plenty to celebrate. The Class of 2025 achieved a 97% high school graduation rate and entered the workforce at rates that outpaced their peers nationwide. These results reflect the dedication of our Affiliates and Specialists, and the employers and community partners who open doors for young people every day.
Last year, we announced our bold vision to grow from serving 80,000 young people annually to reaching one million by 2035. This year, we made significant progress on our strategic plan, including assembling an experienced team of full-time staff to build JAG National into a center of excellence. Our goal is to provide Affiliates with the support and infrastructure they need to expand their impact. We also completed a clean financial audit, reinforcing the accountability and sound stewardship our supporters expect and deserve.
Across our wider ecosystem, we’re strengthening connections between workforce readiness and employment. SHRM endorsed our newly launched JAG Workforce Readiness Credential, giving employers a trusted way to recognize the durable skills young people bring to the workplace. We’re bringing hiring professionals into talent preparation and building pathways into high-demand careers. We’re forging partnerships with national youth-serving organizations to expand our reach and developing an alumni network to support graduates throughout their careers. We also laid the groundwork for EDGE, our new national conference connecting leaders across education and workforce development.
These efforts reflect our commitment to expanding economic opportunity for young people while helping build the competitive workforce our country needs.
And none of this happens without the collective strength of our network and partners. It is a privilege to be doing this work together. Thank you for your belief in our mission and in the young people we serve.
With deep gratitude,
Janelle Duray
President and CEO
Jobs for America’s Graduates
THE YOUTH VOICE
By Austin Small, 2025–2026 National JAG Career Association President
As we look toward the future, I’m honored to serve 85,000+ students across the
country through the JAG Career Association. This role is more than a title—it’s an
opportunity to represent the voices, experiences, and potential of young people
nationwide.
This year, I’m especially excited about the power of connection. Whether through JAG
EDGE 2026, service initiatives, leadership development, or meeting students across the country, I’ve seen firsthand how JAG brings people together around a shared sense of purpose.
As a first-generation college student, former unhoused youth, and a product of the JAG
model, I know how life-changing that support can be. JAG helped me see possibility in
my future, and I hope to help others see that same potential in themselves.
One lesson that continues to guide me is that leadership begins with listening. In a
rapidly changing world, youth voice matters more than ever—and across the JAG
network, students are not only preparing for the future, they are helping shape it.
Our bold vision: Impact 1 million young people annually by 2035.
We’re scaling our reach while maintaining sustained quality through JAG’s proven model of mentoring, education, and workforce readiness.
NAVIGATING BARRIERS. EMPOWERING FUTURES.
Today’s young people face growing barriers to success.
to graduation, employment, and long-term success. JAG helps young
people navigate those challenges with personalized support, guidance,
and career readiness strategies.
Most Common Barriers
Identified by Youth in 2025
Academic
- Low academic performance
- Absenteeism
- Credit deficiency
- Lack of motivation
Personal Development
- Low self-confidence
- Limited career awareness
- Poor communication skills
- Mental health concerns
Economic
- Family financial stress
- Need for part-time employment
- Transportation challenges
- Lack of personal resources
Family and Social
- Family responsibilities or caregiving demands
- Limited family support
- Single-parent household
- Family conflict
Environmental
- Unstable home environment
- Frequent moves or changes in
school - Limited access to reliable
technology/internet
THE WORKFORCE IS EVOLVING. SO ARE WE.
JAG is evolving to help more young people build the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in a workforce shaped by AI, emerging technologies, and rapid change.
Technology, shifting employer expectations, and economic change are reshaping the future of work. To meet this moment, JAG continues to expand and evolve — strengthening career readiness, leadership development, work-based learning, and the support systems young people need to succeed.
As workforce demands continue to change, JAG remains focused on preparing students not just for their first job, but for lifelong growth, resilience, and opportunity.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Together, we can ensure students thrive. Donate today! If you’re an employer wanting to get involved, contact us at development@jag.org to learn how.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE:
WHAT JAG DELIVERS
%
OF JAG SENIORS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL,
besting the national average of 87%
Why It Matters
JAG’s results demonstrate how targeted support, hands-on learning, and strong employer partnerships translate into high graduation and post-graduation success, benefiting students, communities and state economies.
1.8 MILLION youth served since our inception
In 2025, JAG served 88,017 students
in 1,753 programs
with 33 affiliate partners across
across 31 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands
%
ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES
(Employment, postsecondary training/education, or military service within 12 months of graduation.)
- 71% of JAG graduates were employed— compared to 58% of recent high school graduates employed nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).
- 85% of these employed graduates were working full-time.
MORE THAN
EMPLOYERS SUPPORT JAG PROGRAMS
WE SUPPORT
DIVERSE LEARNERS
The following demographics represent JAG participants in all programs for 2025.
Total Students Served: 88,017
Race and Ethnicity:
- 45% White
- 30% Black/African American
- 15% Hispanic
- 5% Multi-racial
- 5% Other Backgrounds
ECONOMIC IMPACT
JAG creates measurable long-term value for young people, communities, and the economy. Research shows strong returns through increased lifetime earnings, reduced public costs, and positive workforce outcomes.
Economic Impact of JAG Graduates
Per Graduate Impact
≈ $400,000 in lifetime economic value
Aggregate Impact
≈ $5.8 billion in total lifetime earnings
Public Savings
Lower costs for assistance, healthcare, and incarceration
ROI Estimate
Every $1 invested yields $2 to $4 in return
PORTRAITS OF IMPACT
JAGCA OFFICERS LAUNCH NEW PLAN AND ALUMNI NETWORK
In 2025, the JAG Career Association (JAGCA) National Officers launched a bold new Program of Work focused on leadership, service, alumni engagement, and strengthening youth voice across the network. Through national initiatives, officer-led webinars, and the development of a new JAG Alumni Network, student leaders helped create stronger pathways for connection, mentorship, career growth, and lasting impact—demonstrating the power of young people to lead forward in their schools, communities, and beyond.
AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE (ASA) GRANT ACCELERATES SYSTEMS-LEVEL CHANGE
In 2025, JAG received a $1.5 million, three-year grant from American Student Assistance (ASA) to help expand impact and accelerate systems-level change across the network. The investment supported innovation, data integration, talent ecosystem research, and strategic partnerships that strengthened youth outcomes and further positioned JAG as a national convener connecting education, workforce development, and opportunity.
SHAPING THE VISION FOR EDGE 2026
Building on decades of leadership in youth development and workforce readiness, JAG began shaping the vision for EDGE 2026—a collaborative national platform designed to connect education, industry, and the future of work. The initiative reflects JAG’s continued evolution as a youth outcomes leader and a convener driving actionable change.
Learn more at jag.org/edge
STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE
JAG partners with employers, foundations, industries, and public agencies committed to preparing young people for success in a rapidly evolving workforce. Together, we help students build the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences needed to thrive —while strengthening talent pipelines, expanding opportunity, and creating lasting impact for communities nationwide.
We are grateful to the partners who continue investing in the next generation and helping shape pathways between education, employment, and opportunity.
Partner with us.
Visit our Partners page for more information
Partners
LEADING FORWARD FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
The future of work is evolving rapidly—and JAG is evolving with it. Through ongoing investments in innovation, research, and program modernization, JAG is strengthening the tools, learning experiences, and support systems that prepare young people for long-term success in school, work, and life.
In partnership with organizations like reDesign and PTKO, JAG continued advancing efforts to modernize student competencies, strengthen learning pathways, and better understand the needs of students, educators, affiliates, and employers. Together, these initiatives help ensure JAG remains future-focused, responsive, and built for lasting impact.
As we look ahead, our commitment remains clear: to expand opportunity, strengthen pathways to employment and education, and help more young people confidently navigate what’s next.
Together, we are leading forward.
Allocation
%
Program Services
%
Management & General
%
Fundraising
Financials
Assets:
Cash: 242,899
Receivables: 736,592
Other Current Assets: 259,733
Long-Term Assets: 3,219
Investments: 2,404,425
Total Assets: 3,646,868
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable: 405,496
Accrued Expenses: 176,356
Deferred Revenue: 910,924
Total Liabilities: 1,492,776
Net Assets:
Without Donor Restrictions: 2,137,772
With Donor Restrictions: 16,320
Total Net Assets: 2,154,092
Total Liabilities and Net Assets:
Total Liabilities and Net Assets: 3,646,868