Treasurer Sprague Unveils Monthly "Compass Award" Program to Honor Excellence in Financial Literacy

Treasurer Robert Sprague today announced the establishment of the Ohio Treasurer’s Compass Award program. The new monthly recognition program aims to shine a light on organizations, programs, and individuals across Ohio who are working to advance financial literacy and empowerment.

“Throughout Ohio, there are people and organizations moving the needle in the financial literacy space,” said Treasurer Sprague. “The Compass Awards will honor their work and highlight the success they have had in helping others to navigate their way to a bright financial future.”

In addition to making a difference through financial literacy education, Compass Award honorees have a proven record of success in preparing Ohio’s youth for future financial decisions.

Ohio’s eight independent chapters of Junior Achievement have garnered recognition as honorees of the inaugural Compass Awards.

Junior Achievement plays a critical role in the development of youth both here in Ohio and across the country. For more than 100 years, the organization has prepared young people for success through its focus on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. Through the nearly 50 programs it offers, Junior Achievement chapters support schools by filling instructional gaps in topics that are not part of core subjects.

“We are grateful to Treasurer Sprague for this recognition and to the 7,600+ volunteers across Ohio who help JA empower students to achieve personal success in their career and in life,” said Mike Davis, President of Junior Achievement of Central Ohio.

In Ohio, more than 154,000 K-12 students received more than 1,100,000 hours of education through Junior Achievement programming last school year. Program alumni are significantly more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree and 67% more likely to further their education and receive an advanced degree. Following completion of their education, 88% of Junior Achievement alumni report being satisfied with their eventual career and 90% are confident in their ability to manage money. This latter statistic is exemplified by the fact that nearly half of program alumni manage to pay off their student loan debt within 10 years of graduation, which is a stark contrast to the average of 21 years it typically takes for four-year graduates in the United States.

“Junior Achievement has been at the forefront of financial literacy and career readiness for more than a century,” said Sprague. “Few organizations globally – or here in Ohio – have made such a strong and lasting impact on our young people. Today, more than ever before, Ohio’s chapters of Junior Achievement are helping students blaze a trail toward future success.”

Locations of Ohio’s eight Junior Achievement chapters: