Expanding Opportunity: A Partnership for the Next Generation

Community partnerships are at the heart of Eagle Valley Community Foundation’s work—and we are excited to highlight a powerful new collaboration between Elevar and Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain (JA-RM), part of the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to preparing young people for career success, financial independence, and entrepreneurship.

JA-RM brings a proven, high-impact model to this partnership. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, they partnered with 482 schools and reached more than 87,500 students across Colorado. Through a robust network of volunteers sharing real-world experiences, JA-RM delivers no-cost programming in career exploration, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed beyond the classroom. Their work not only builds practical knowledge, but also helps schools meet critical state goals for postsecondary and workforce readiness.

This partnership was made possible through the leadership and connection of EVCF Board Member Eric Reinhard, whose introduction helped bring these two organizations together. His commitment to building meaningful relationships and expanding opportunities for our community continues to strengthen our work in impactful ways.

The alignment with Elevar is a natural extension of our mission. While Elevar focuses on supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs with capital, community, and curriculum, this partnership allows us to extend that pathway even earlier—investing in the next generation of leaders before they enter the workforce or launch their own ventures.

Together, Elevar and JA-RM are working to expand youth access to entrepreneurship and financial literacy, deepen connections between students and local business leaders, and create clearer pathways from education to economic opportunity. This collaboration strengthens the broader ecosystem of support for emerging leaders in Eagle County—ensuring that opportunity is not just available, but accessible.

We look forward to growing this partnership and continuing to invest in a future where every young person has the tools, resources, and support to thrive.