Junior Achievement of Oklahoma Celebrates Completion of $7 Million Capital Campaign and Expands Impact for Students Across Oklahoma
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of The Scott H. Filstrup Experiential Learning Center
Junior Achievement of Oklahoma (JAOK), a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people for financial success, has completed its $7 million capital campaign, marking a significant advancement in expanding access to financial literacy and career-readiness education across the state.
In October 2024, JAOK achieved a key milestone of the campaign when they opened their experiential learning center in northwest Oklahoma City, OK. The Oklahoma City location provides students with real-world simulations through JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, where they learn budgeting, career exploration, and financial decision-making skills.
On February 12, JAOK celebrated the completion of their campaign with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of their Scott H. Filstrup Experiential Learning Center in Tulsa, OK. During the event, JAOK leaders announced the successful completion of the organization’s capital campaign and shared a vision for expanded student impact across Oklahoma.
The 7,000-square-foot Scott H. Filstrup Experiential Learning Center expansion brings JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® together under one roof, creating a seamless, immersive learning environment. The new facility will allow JAOK to serve an additional 12,000 students each year, significantly increasing access to hands-on financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship education throughout the region.
“Reaching the completion of our $7 million capital campaign is an incredibly exciting milestone for Junior Achievement of Oklahoma,” said Shannan Beeler, President of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma. “This achievement reflects the belief our community has in the power of financial literacy and workforce readiness. We are energized by what’s ahead and inspired by the thousands of additional students in Northeastern Oklahoma we will now be able to serve in the years to come.”
Erica Irvine, Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the long-term impact of the expansion and the community support behind it. “We are deeply grateful for the partners and donors who made this possible,” Irvine said. “Because of this investment in our mission, we are well positioned to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and empower thousands more students with the skills they need to succeed in the future.”
The celebration also marked the beginning of an exciting chapter for JAOK as the organization looks ahead to its 60th anniversary. Building on six decades of student impact, the expanded Experiential Learning Center positions JAOK to meet growing demand and continue preparing young people for success in a rapidly changing economy.
The successful openings of the Experiential Learning Centers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City reflect JAOK’s enduring commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in a global economy.
