From Classrooms to Careers: Cummings Foundation Supports JA’s Programs for Lawrence and Neighboring Communities Youth

Empowering middle school, high school, and alumni with a connected pathway to economic success.

Author: Jojo Antonio
Corporate Responsibility
Published: Thursday, 12 Jun 2025

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Image caption: Cummings Foundation

Junior Achievement of Greater Boston is proud to be named one of the recipients of this year’s $30 Million Grant Program from the Cummings Foundation. Since its founding, the Cummings Foundation has awarded nearly $600 million to nonprofits throughout Greater Boston. In 2025 alone, the Foundation will distribute an additional $30 million in funding to 150 local nonprofits, with awards issued as multi-year grants—either over three or ten years—to ensure long-term community impact.

We are honored to be among the organizations selected for this transformative investment.

Fueling Impact Through JAIC @ LHS

The grant will support the initial phase of programming at the newly opened Junior Achievement Innovation Center (JAIC) @ LHS in Lawrence. Over the course of the three-year grant period, Junior Achievement (JA) will focus on significantly increasing our impact on high school students by investing in essential staffing, cutting-edge technology, and innovative programming in this dedicated learning space.

The JAIC @ LHS is a cornerstone in our regional strategy to prepare young people for economic success. This space is designed to be accessible not only to students attending Lawrence High School, but also to those from JA partner schools across Lawrence and neighboring communities.

Connecting Middle School to Career

The Cummings Foundation grant will help bring JA’s mission to life in Lawrence through a comprehensive Middle School to Career pathway, grounded in our three core pillars:

JA Inspire – Interactive career exploration for middle school students to spark early interest in future pathways and build foundational career readiness skills.
JA High School Programs – Delivered at the JAIC @ LHS, these programs provide students with hands-on experiences in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness.
JA Career Pathway for Alumni – A unique opportunity for high school graduates and JA alumni to remain engaged with skill-building workshops, mentorship, and leadership development that supports their post-secondary and career goals.

Through this grant, Junior Achievement of Greater Boston aims to serve students and alumni in Lawrence and neighboring commmunities, creating a scalable and sustainable impact model for economic mobility and workforce development.

Looking Ahead

We are deeply grateful to the Cummings Foundation for their visionary support and commitment to local change. Their investment in the JAIC @ LHS will allow us to empower the next generation of students with the tools, confidence, and experiences they need to thrive.

Together, we are building a future where every young person is inspired to dream big and prepared to succeed.