Our Impact: Mission Spotlights
Our Mission,
In Action.
Inspiring kids to be makers, doers, and givers is a big job - and we can't do it alone. Explore the stories of the students, educators, schools, and partners turning our mission into real-world change.
Browse Spotlights
Behind every spotlight is a student who discovered they could change the world. Browse the stories - and see which fund helped spark each one.
Fighting Fast Fashion with a Student-Run Thrift Store — Poudre High School
After learning the cost of fast fashion, Poudre's fashion and design students opened the Impala Thrift Store — a self-sustaining school business that keeps clothing out of landfills.
A Space to Learn, Explore, Create, and Shine — Boltz Middle School
In the middle of the pandemic, teacher Yoko Laidley brought light to her students with a hands-on learning space built around community, curiosity, and learning from mistakes together.
Building Career Pathways with an Entrepreneurial Mindset — Thompson Career Campus
An OtterCares-funded business hub inside the Thompson Career Campus connects students across five high schools to local industry, community, and real-world problem-solving.
A Project Heart School from Day One — Bamford Elementary
When Bamford opened its doors, principal Alissa Poduska wove Project Heart into the school's DNA — and her students launched the Pack Pantry to feed their community.
Students Solving Real Problems for First Responders — Windsor Charter Academy
Entrepreneurship students spent a semester with Windsor Severance Fire & Rescue, designing real products to make first responders' jobs safer — and proving kids' ideas can change a community.
Planes, Drones, and Business Plans — MESArc at Lucile Erwin Middle School
Born from one teacher's passion for flight, MESArc students scratch-design remote-controlled airplanes, cars, and drones while learning what it takes to run a business.
Two Schools, Two States, One Spark — Olander & Tierrasanta Elementary
Innovation Station grants — made possible by Otter Products employees — brought makerspaces to two schools a thousand miles apart, giving curious kids a place to build their ideas.
From Concept to Company in 13 Weeks — Junior Achievement’s JA Company Program
Student teams identify a problem, build a business around the solution, and pitch it shark-tank style to real entrepreneurs — nearly 400 students strong and growing.
Where Algebra Meets Enterprise — AMPED at Loveland High School
Algebra is the most-failed high school course in America. AMPED teaches it inside a real student-run business — and the buy-in, work ethic, and test scores show it.