BOSTON- American Student Assistance ® (ASA), a national nonprofit organization changing the way children learn about careers and navigate the path to postsecondary education and professional success, today announced that the organization has concluded a 10-year, $25 million affiliation agreement with the 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 entrepreneurship education programs, services and opportunities for middle and high school students in rural, marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities, both in-person and digitally, through partnerships between school districts. curriculum development and collaborative programming, as well as business plan competitions.
The agreement between ASA and NFTE consists of an immediate unrestricted grant of $5 million and annual matching grants of up to $2 million for the next 10 years. ASA’s support will help NFTE move from a school-by-school approach to a more systemic strategy aimed at working with states and school districts to more effectively and efficiently increase the number of schools, teachers and of students with whom the organization works each school year. NFTE currently serves more than 50,000 students annually in 30 U.S. states. Support from the ASA will allow NFTE to expand its position as one of the nation’s largest entrepreneurship education nonprofits.
“Research shows that access to high-quality entrepreneurship education leads to better career and economic outcomes. ASA is honored to enter into 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 Jean Eddy, CEO and President of ASA. “As a leader in providing unique, engaging digital career readiness experiences to more than 15 million children each year, this union underscores our commitment and intentional focus on learners from historically underrepresented communities.
Curriculum development and programming includes NFTE’s new Exploring Careers course, which provides teens with exposure to a broad exploration of career opportunities. The alliance will also support NFTE’s pitch competition programs, including its high-profile business plan competition series known as the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Additionally, the alliance will fund professional development for teachers; research that articulates the benefits of career preparation programs through entrepreneurship education; and support statewide policies that promote student acquisition of entrepreneurship degrees and certifications.
“This partnership honors NFTE’s long-standing relationship with ASA, another supporter of the power of entrepreneurship education, and aligns the missions of our two organizations to help young people discover who and what they are. love,” said NFTE CEO Dr. JD LaRock. “I look forward to continuing our mutual efforts to foster creativity, success and personal growth among our country’s youth.”
NFTE established the idea of the entrepreneurial mindset as a set of skills and attitudes that can be learned, practiced and refined through experience. It’s the foundation of the nonprofit’s nearly four decades of work with young people from disadvantaged communities. NFTE’s award-winning, research-based entrepreneurial programs are designed to activate and cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit, which not only enhances college and career readiness, but also uniquely prepares learners for the future work. Developing an entrepreneurial mindset lays the foundation for lifelong success, and effective entrepreneurship education can reduce inequalities in education and work.
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 equipped to make informed, confident decisions about their futures. ASA fulfills its mission by delivering free digital experiences, including Futurescape® and Next Voice™, and EvolveMe™, directly to millions of students, and through impact investments and philanthropic support to educators, intermediaries and others. To learn more about the ASA, visit www.asa.org/about – like a .
About the Network for Entrepreneurship Education (NFTE)
The Network for Entrepreneurship Education (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial spirit with unique learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to college, 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, delivering programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, and through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com to learn more.
The eSchool Media staff covers education technology in all its aspects: from legislation and litigation to best practices, lessons learned and new products. First published in March 1998 as a monthly print and digital newspaper, eSchool Media provides the news and information needed to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and innovation to transform schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals.
