The JJK Foundation’s Visionary Campus Takes Root with Key Partnerships

In a significant milestone for community empowerment and educational innovation, the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation (JJK Foundation) proudly announces the closing of a pivotal phase in its journey to transform East St. Louis, Illinois. The Foundation’s ambitious project, aimed at fostering youth engagement and addressing systemic disparities through a comprehensive Ag-Tech and food systems education, has successfully secured financing, thanks to a strategic partnership with Heartland Regional Investment Fund and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance.

At the heart of this transformative project is the creation of the JJK Food, Agriculture, & Nutrition Innovation Center (JJK FAN) — a 24,000 square foot facility destined to become a beacon of STEAM and agricultural learning for K-12 students and their families. This initiative, the first phase of a larger 75acre community campus vision, seeks not only to educate but to inspire a new generation of leaders in industries where minority representation is critically low.

“I am thrilled to see the JJK FAN Innovation Center come to life.  This project is near and dear to my heart, and it continues to represent my unwavering commitment to empower the youth of East St. Louis, IL to win in life through education and opportunity. This center will be the cornerstone of our efforts to address food access, health, agriculture and economic disparities, creating a brighter future for our community.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Founder, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

The completion of this financing phase, facilitated by a $12 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Allocation from Heartland Regional Investment Fund, with U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance stepping in as the NMTC investor, marks a significant leap forward for the project. The result of $12MM in NMTC Allocation equates to approximately $2.5 million in net subsidy to the organization.  This collaboration underscores the powerful synergy between community-focused foundations, investment entities, and educational partners in driving forward impactful initiatives.

“Heartland Regional Investment Fund is proud to support the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in this transformative project. The NMTC Allocation is a testament to our belief in the power of community-driven initiatives to spur economic and educational growth. We look forward to the positive impact the JJK FAN Center will have on East St. Louis and beyond.” – Jeff Colona, Director of New Markets Tax Credits, Heartland Regional Investment Fund

 

“U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance is honored to be part of this pivotal project, contributing to the legacy of Jackie Joyner-Kersee and the bright future of East St. Louis. Our investment in the JJK FAN Center through the NMTC program underscores our commitment to fostering inclusive growth and educational opportunities in underserved communities.” – Laura Vowell, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Community Finance Solutions, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance

The JJK FAN Innovation Center is not just a building; it’s a hub for innovation, learning, and community development. It will feature classrooms, demonstration gardens, greenhouses, a teaching kitchen, and spaces for research and communal activities. This initiative is a collaborative effort with programmatic partners such as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Extension, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and Lansdowne UP, ensuring a wide-reaching impact on educational and professional pathways in agriculture and food sciences expected to reach 15,000 persons and their families annually.

The project goes beyond education, aiming to create a pipeline of skilled future leaders and addressing the dire need for diversity in the agriculture sector, where minority representation is currently estimated at only 2%. By providing a space where youth can engage in hands-on learning and understand the importance of sustainable food systems, the JJK Foundation is laying the groundwork for a future where community residents can thrive, turning persistent disadvantages into a model of empowerment.

To accommodate this expansion, the JJK Foundation will relocate and expand sporting fields and invest in new infrastructure and site improvements, ensuring the integration of the JJK FAN Center with existing buildings and programs. This thoughtful approach highlights the project’s comprehensive impact, from enhancing educational opportunities to revitalizing physical spaces within the community.

• Jobs and Economic Development

The JJK FAN project is poised to create accessible and quality jobs, offering comprehensive training to onboard and retain individuals from low-income backgrounds. A significant percent of the permanent jobs will be accessible to those without a 4-year degree, with full-time positions receiving health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

Full-time, part-time, and seasonal job opportunities will emerge from this project, including educational, research, facility management, and administrative roles, contributing to a robust employment landscape in East St. Louis.

• Commercial Outcomes

JJK FAN’s urban agricultural facilities and teaching kitchen will address the critical food desert issue in East St. Louis, aiming to produce 50,000lbs of food per year at full capacity. This initiative not only improves access to healthy food options but also plans to engage the local community in sustainable food production, nutrition education, and food preparation, enhancing the overall well-being of residents.

• Sustainability Outcomes

Sustainability is a core component of the JJK FAN project, with plans to incorporate LED lighting, passive solar indoor agriculture systems, and native plant integration to enhance biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, and implement water runoff management practices.

• Catalytic Impact

The JJK FAN project serves as a catalyst for further investments in the East St. Louis community, including significant renovations, new constructions, and infrastructure improvements that promise to reshape the economic and social landscape of the area.

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center plays a crucial role in the development and implementation of the JJK FAN’s STEAM-Ag curriculum, aiming to address food security and environmental sustainability while empowering the youth of East St. Louis through increased STEAM+Ag career pathways.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Extension extends its mission of translating research into action to the JJK FAN project, providing essential educational opportunities through 4-H programming and college and career preparedness programs that target the community’s youth and their families.

Founded by Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the JJK Foundation has a storied history of serving and uplifting the East St. Louis community. With the successful closing of this financing, the Foundation is poised to expand its impactful work by creating a pipeline of skilled leaders from minority backgrounds and addressing critical disparities in food access, health, and economic opportunities.