Press Releases
Evansville, IN – July 30, 2025 – The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently announced Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana (JASWIN) was awarded a Workforce Readiness grant, supporting communities served by Indiana American Water.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for their generous support, which plays a vital role in advancing workforce development across our region,” said Marcia Forston, CEO Emeritus, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana. “This grant allows us to deliver transformative programs like JA JobSpark and JA Social Innovation Challenge, giving students hands-on experience that build essential skills, spark curiosity, and broaden their awareness of real-word career pathways. These programs don’t just teach financial literacy, career and post-secondary readiness, and entrepreneurship, they unlock opportunity, build confidence, and empower young people to envision and pursue meaningful futures. With this support, we’re not only preparing students for the workforce and discovering their sense of purpose, we’re helping shape stronger, more resilient communities.”
The Workforce Readiness grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. This grant program focuses on general career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development and life skills training.
JASWIN’s $25,000 Workforce Readiness Grant will help support multiple JA programs, including the JA Social Innovation Challenge – an opportunity for high school students to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills by developing a start-up enterprise and business plan, and participate in a pitch competition. The grant will also go to supporting in-class programs that help local high school students become workforce ready.
“Indiana American Water is proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation and support Junior Achievement of Southwest Indiana and its mission to prepare young people for successful futures,” said Barry Suits, President of Indiana American Water. “Workforce development is vital to the long-term health of our communities, and this grant will help provide students with the tools, experiences, and inspiration they need to explore meaningful career paths. By investing in our youth today, we’re helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for tomorrow.”
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to partner with eligible nonprofit organizations across Indiana,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “We are thrilled to support initiatives that provide access to high-quality training and skills development for future leaders in the workplace.”
Learn more about Indiana American Water’s community impact, here.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Indiana American Water
Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people. For more information, visit amwater.com/inaw and join Indiana American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
About Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana (JASWIN)
Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana’s K-12 programs foster financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills. We are empowering young people with a belief in themselves through these volunteer-based educational experiences teaching students how money, careers and business ownership work. JASWIN serves 15 counties in Southwestern Indiana and Southeastern Illinois and began in 1964. In 2024-2025, JASWIN provided JA programs to 21,034 students in 811 classes resulting in 91,769 hours spent between volunteers and the students they inspire. Visit swindiana.ja.org/ for more information.