Community

At Magnetar Capital, we believe it is important to give back, especially to the communities in which we live and work. The Magnetar Capital Foundation seeks to create meaningful positive change in the lives of others -- particularly economically disadvantaged youth.  We give both financially and of our time.

The primary focus of the Magnetar Capital Foundation is the Magnetar Youth Investment Academy, a hands-on, innovative financial literacy program for high school students.  Founded in the fall of 2011, the Academy is currently in operation in 21 locations throughout Chicago.

Students receive more than 40 hours of in-class instruction and practical learning in a wide variety of subject areas including:

• Financial Responsibility and Decision Making
• Financial Planning and Money Management
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Credit and Debt
• Saving and Investing

Each class offers students the chance to learn timely life lessons about personal finance that they can put to use immediately. Teachers, who are compensated by the Magnetar Capital Foundation for teaching the program, enjoy the curriculum as well: it is turn-key and designed to capture the imagination of students.

At the end of the course, students are invited to compete in a year-long Magnetar Stock Market Portfolio Competition, which awards a college scholarship to the individual or student team with the highest-performing portfolio at each participating high school.

Additionally, all graduates receive a gift certificate for $100 to open a Custodial Investment Account, as well as educational sessions for students and their guardians about how the account works.

As of today, more than 300 high school students have graduated from or are currently attending Magnetar Academy programs.