BOSTON – American Student Assistance ® (ASA), a national nonprofit organization that is changing the way children learn about careers and navigate the path to postsecondary education and career success, announced today that the organization has signed an agreement $25 million, 10-year affiliation with Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), the nation's leading entrepreneurship education organization.
Through this strategic alliance, NFTE and ASA will expand access to high-quality business education programs, services and opportunities for middle and high school students from rural, underserved and economically disadvantaged communities, both in-person and digitally, through partnerships. with school districts. curriculum development and collaborative programming, and business plan competitions.
The agreement between ASA and NFTE consists of an immediate unrestricted grant of $5 million and matching annual grants of up to $2 million over the next 10 years. ASA's support will help NFTE move from a school-by-school approach to a broader strategy to work with states and school districts to more effectively and efficiently expand the number of schools, teachers and students the organization works with. every school year. Currently, NFTE serves more than 50,000 students annually in 30 U.S. states. ASA's support will allow NFTE to expand its position as one of the largest business education nonprofits in the country.
“Research shows that access to high-quality business education leads to better career and economic outcomes. “ASA is honored to establish a new strategic alliance with NFTE, as part of our mission to engage many more young people in their future planning through impactful entrepreneurial experiences,” said ASA CEO and President Jean Eddy. “As a leader in providing unique and engaging digital-first career readiness experiences to more than 15 million children annually, this union underscores our commitment and intentional focus on students from historically underrepresented communities.
Curriculum development and programming includes NFTE's new Exploring Careers course, which gives teens exposure to a broad exploration of career opportunities. The alliance will also enable NFTE's pitch competition programs, including its high-profile business plan competition series known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Additionally, the alliance will fund the professional development of teachers; research that articulates the benefits of career readiness programming through business education; and support state policies that promote students' acquisition of entrepreneurship credentials and certifications.
“This partnership enshrines NFTE's long-standing relationship with ASA, a partner that supports the power of business education, and aligns the missions of our two organizations to help young people discover who they are and what they love,” said Dr. JD LaRock, executive director of NFTE. “I look forward to continuing our mutual efforts to foster creativity, success and self-actualization among our nation's youth.”
NFTE established the idea of the entrepreneurial mindset as a set of skills and attitudes that can be learned, practiced and honed through experience. It is the foundation of the nonprofit's nearly four decades of work with youth from low-income communities. NFTE's award-winning, research-based business programs are designed to activate and cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset, which not only enhances college and career readiness but also uniquely prepares students for the future of work. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset lays the foundation for lifelong success, and effective entrepreneurial education can reduce educational and employment inequalities.
As part of the strategic alliance, Jean Eddy will join the NFTE board of directors and Dr. LaRock will be appointed to the ASA board of directors.
About American Student Assistance® (ASA)
American Student Assistance® (ASA) is a national nonprofit organization changing the way children learn about careers and navigate the path to postsecondary education and career success. ASA believes that all students should have equitable access to career readiness learning, beginning in middle school, so that they are prepared to make informed and confident decisions about their future. ASA fulfills its mission by providing free digital experiences, including Futurescape® and Next Voice, and EvolveMe, directly to millions of students, and through impact investments and philanthropic support for educators, intermediaries and others. For more information about ASA, visit www.asa.org/about – as a .
About the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their future. NFTE, a global nonprofit organization founded in 1987, provides high-quality business education to middle school, high school, and postsecondary students in 30 U.S. states and 31 countries. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than 1.25 million students, offering programs in and out of school, in-person, online and through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com Learn more.
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