NAF is a national education non-profit that brings schools and businesses together to better prepare students of all backgrounds — especially students who may lack access to opportunity for college, career, and to be future ready. In the classroom, NAF transforms how we think about education—going beyond what traditional career and technical education programs offer with experiential learning activities that complement career-focused curricula. Outside the classroom, students are equipped with the future-ready skills and industry-specific learnings to be successful in any pathway they choose. NAF helps students explore career options, create a plan for the future, and take part in hands-on, work-based learning unlike anything traditional public education systems can offer. NAF puts students on a path to achieving their full potential.

Since 1980, NAF has led a movement for immersive, career-focused teaching and work-based learning. With the support of NAF community-based advisory boards, schools connect with the workforce to fuel shared progress—from creating culturally responsive curriculum and paid internship opportunities, to fostering innovation and building future-ready businesses.

NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. During the 2022-23 school year, over 112,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 35 states and territories. In 2022, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 88% of graduates planning to go to college.

The NAF Board of Directors is made up of leaders in their fields who advocate for improving education in the United States. Through their leadership, guidance, and support, NAF is able to deliver on its promise of developing the next generation of future ready employees.

Developed to address the growing role that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics now play in the nation’s economy, the STEM Advisory Committee offers opportunities for top STEM leaders to exchange perspectives in order to better understand industry talent pipeline needs and attract a diverse population to their businesses.

Our NAF team is passionate about what we do. Our growth, progress, and contribution to the improvement of our nation’s educational quality have been the work of a creative, energetic, and responsible team committed to excellence.

Structured relationships between NAF academies and Corporate Partners create a dramatic impact for students beyond what a great school, part-time job, or even a strong coaching relationship can achieve on its own. Companies partner with NAF not only to have a lasting, positive impact on student outcomes, but to help shape their future workforce, build a positive culture in their organizations, and fulfill their corporate social responsibility goals.