The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) has announced Junior Achievement of Minot has received a $3,000 grant from Xcel Energy, continuing a longstanding partnership that has helped bring financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career-readiness education to thousands of local students.

The relationship between Xcel Energy and Junior Achievement in Minot dates back nearly three decades. In 1997, Xcel Energy approached what was then the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce with the idea of bringing Junior Achievement to the community.

What began as a pilot program serving 25 classrooms has grown into an established initiative that reaches about 100 classrooms and hundreds of students in grades K-5 each year. Through partnerships with Minot public and private schools, the program brings community volunteers into classrooms to help students about topics such as needs versus wants, money management, city planning and career readiness in fun and age-appropriate ways. In the 2025-26 school year, 89 Junior Achievement volunteers stepped into 99 classrooms to help inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

“Xcel Energy has been a champion of Junior Achievement in Minot since day one,” said Brekka Kramer, president and CEO of MACEDC. “Their vision helped launch the program locally, and their continued investment ensures local students have access to hands-on learning experiences that build confidence and introduce them to future career opportunities. We’re truly grateful for their partnership.”

“Programs like Junior Achievement help prepare the next generation for success by teaching practical life and workplace skills at an early age,” said Beth Feldner, Community Relations manager for Xcel Energy. “We’re proud to support a program that continues to make a meaningful impact in Minot classrooms and in the future of our community.”