RSM Expands Support of Junior Achievement, Donates $3 Million

CHICAGO – (June 3, 2021) – RSM US LLP (“RSM”) – the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services focused on the middle market – and Junior Achievement USA (JA) today are pleased to announce an expanded relationship, building upon an initial investment in the JA Take Stock in Your Future™ program and JA Stock Market Challenge, unveiled by RSM and JA in September 2020. This enhanced relationship, marked by the recent presentation of a $3 million check from RSM to JA, includes RSM’s continued sponsorship of JA Take Stock in Your Future and the JA Stock Market Challenge, as well as the formation of the JA Impact Fund and Match Program to enable JA to enhance student programs. The donation includes contributions to various local JA chapters and represents a multi-year commitment through July 2026.

JA Take Stock in Your Future is a classroom curriculum that helps high school students understand the inner workings of the stock market to take away the mystery of investing. The JA Stock Market Challenge is the competition element of the curriculum, which introduces students to the basic concepts of how the stock market works and the impact of current events on the stock market.  

“RSM’s support of the JA Take Stock in Your Future program and the JA Stock Market Challenge is helping to fill a critical gap in education by demystifying the investment process for students,” said Jack Kosakowski, president, and CEO of JA USA. “By teaching students how to manage their financial futures, we’re providing them with a critical life skill that will help them realize promising and financially secure futures.”

“RSM and the RSM US Foundation are proud to support Junior Achievement, especially the JA Take Stock in Your Future program and the JA Stock Market Challenge, given the close alignment of those programs with our foundation’s mission of developing tomorrow’s middle market leaders,” said Doug Opheim, chief financial officer with RSM US LLP and chair of the board of the RSM US Foundation. “We have a long-standing focus on stewardship at RSM and to making a positive difference in the communities where our people live and work. JA provides an avenue for us to do that for thousands of young people across the country. We’re honored to be able to support such a worthy cause.”

Bill Kracunas, a principal in management consulting with RSM US LLP and a member of Junior Achievement USA’s board of directors, says he was drawn to RSM because of the firm’s values, and was drawn to JA when he volunteered at an inner-city elementary school for the first time years ago.

“I am honored to see these two organizations have come together to help communities and young people,” said Kracunas. “I know this will drive students into more prosperous and digital futures. And I am committed to making sure young students across the country are successful.”

For more information about JA and programs such as JA Take Stock in Your Future, visit Junior Achievement USA’s website. To learn more about stewardship at RSM and about the RSM US Foundation, visit RSM’s website.