Can't get text of ASP label

I have this JQuery code:

$("#<%= FundingRequested_11.ClientId %>").html(funding.toFixed(2));

Then after the user clicks another button I want to grab the text that is in FundingRequested_11 like this:

Decimal.TryParse(Me.FundingRequested_11.Text, .FundingRequested)

But the value of FundingRequested_11's text is "" despite there being something in there!

What is going on? Computers can be so stupid sometimes.

I also tried $("#<%= FundingRequested_11.ClientId %>").text(funding.toFixed(2));

and

$("#<%= FundingRequested_11.ClientId %>").val(funding.toFixed(2));

and in the VB code:

Decimal.TryParse(Me.FundingRequested_11.Attributes("html", .FundingRequested) etc. (ie also val and text)

Nothing works. Despite the fact I can see the label's text change it comes back as "0" or Nothing. Arghh!