YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio has been selected as a recipient of a 2026 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation.
The $41,944 grant will support the organization’s financial literacy and career-readiness programming, helping local students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed financial decisions and prepare for their futures, a news release states.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Taco Bell Foundation for this generous investment in the students of Eastern Ohio,” said Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio. “Financial literacy is a critical life skill, and this support allows us to provide students with engaging, hands-on experiences that make financial concepts meaningful. Through programs such as the JA Stock Market Challenge and JA Titan Challenge, students have the opportunity to apply what they learn, strengthen their decision-making skills and gain a better understanding of how their choices today can impact their future.”
The Taco Bell Foundation’s support of Junior Achievement extends across communities nationwide, connecting local Taco Bell franchisees and teams with Junior Achievement organizations and the students they serve. In 2025, the Taco Bell Foundation provided more than $1.6 million to Junior Achievement, supporting approximately 77,000 students across 55 Taco Bell markets, the release states.