Organization |
What It Does |
Results |
Grade |
ACCION InternationalCEO: María Oterowww.accion.org Winner's Statement |
Trains banks around the world to be microfinance partners, making small loans (averaging $674) to help poor people start businesses. Eventually, these microlenders become self-sustaining. ACCION has recently developed new services--home-improvement loans, insurance, and savings vehicles. | In the past 10 years, ACCION's partners have made 14.3 million loans totaling nearly $10 billion to 4 million borrowers, 65% of them women. | A+ |
A Fighting ChanceDirector: Melanie Carrwww.a-fighting-chance.org Winner's Statement |
Provides staff investigators to indigent defendants in high-profile cases that most likely will result in death sentences. Operating in four Southern states, it also trains investigators and litigates for increased funding to fully research such cases. | Since 2002, AFC has helped represent 74 people facing the death penalty. Eight have been released outright and 32 have avoided death; the other cases are still pending. | B+ |
Aspire Public SchoolsCEO: Don Shalveywww.aspirepublicschools.org Winner's Statement |
Builds and operates small public charter schools in underserved neighborhoods with a curriculum that constantly reinforces the possibility of college for all students. The indirect effect: pressure on public-school systems to reevaluate ineffective practices. | In 2004 and 2005, every Aspire school exceeded California's testing targets--a 100% achievement rate compared with the state average of 65%. No wonder they have wait lists. | B+ |
BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life)CEO: Earl Martin Phalenwww.bellnational.org Winner's Statement |
Provides after-school and summer tutoring for underperforming, low-income elementary students. The sessions, led by public school teachers, professional mentors, and BELL's own staff, focus on basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Enrichment activities and community service get parents involved. | BELL educated more than 7,500 children at 44 school sites in four cities last year. Of these students, 81% improved literacy scores to "proficient." | A |
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From Issue 111 | December 2006
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