7 Young NonProfits Transforming Peoples’ Lives
Pictured: Miami is Kind macaroons. Photo Credit: Miami Is Kind
We’ve compiled a list of 7 young nonprofits with exemplary financial transparency (rated a Bronze or Platinum on GuideStar) and humble budgets (under $1M per year in annual revenues). Kudos to these nonprofits for creating innovative and life-changing programs for children and adults across the world.
Youth Empowerment Through Art and Literacy
Socialworks Chicago
Tax-exempt since 2017 | Chicago, Il
SocialWorks, Chance the Rapper’s youth charity, aims to empower youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement while fostering leadership, accessibility, and positivity within Chicago. The New Chance: Arts and Literature Fund has already impacted 6,845 students across 40 schools. @socialworkschi
Students at SocialWorks Chicago | Empowering youth the arts, education and civic education.
Coral Reef Conservation
The Reef Institute
Tax-Exempt in 2016 | West Palm Beach, FL
The Reef Institute provides a space for research and education about the world's coral through an interactive aquarium. In 2017, 1,200 students participated in field trips, in-school classes and outreach events and 850 students showed an interest in topics related to STEM.
The Reef Institute | Providing a space for research and education about the world’s coral through an interactive aquarium. Pictured: Fish swimming around coral reef.
Media and Arts Education
DREAM!
Tax-Exempt in 2016 | Bronx, NY
DREAM! (Dare to Revitalize Education through Arts and Mediation) wants to provide young students and their teachers with practical skills to dismantle the school to prison pipeline, support student engagement with learning and academic success, and encourage the creative confidence of young leaders. Their programming has impacted over 5,000 students, educators and parents. @daretodreambx
Students at DREAM! (Dare to Revitalize Education through Arts and Mediation) | Dismantling the school to prison pipeline.
Youth Empowerment Through Farming
Ark Farms
Tax-Exempt since 2015 | Arlington, TN
ARK Farms empowers children to become confident and courageous through the work of providing care for rescued, abused and abandoned animals and the skill-building process of tending the farm where the animals live. In 2017, they hosted 200 youth volunteers and 32 youth interns. @arkfarms
ARK Farms | Taking care of rescued, abused and abandoned animals.
Employment for Professionals with Autism
Miami is Kind
Tax-Exempt since 2015 | Miami, FL
Miami Is Kind provides employment and educational opportunities for young adults with autism through employment in a real business setting. Founder, Silvia Planas-Prats, plans to grow her team from 7 to 20 by 2020. @Miami_Is_Kind
Creators of Miami is Kind | Providing employment and educational opportunities for young adults with autism.
Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Rehabilitation
Envisioning Justice Solutions
Tax-Exempt since 2018 | Simi Valley, CA
Envisioning Justice Solutions is focused on determining programs, policies, and services needed to rebuild the lives of criminal justice involved women and men. One of their goals is to open a free Women’s Wellness Center for formerly incarcerated women. @envisioningjusticesolutions
Envisioning Justice Solutions | Rochelle Leonard, Healing Trauma SHU Facilitator; Dr. Stephanie Covington, Healing Trauma Developer; Dr. Stacy Calhoun and Dr. Nena Messina, Research Directors.
Access to Clean Water
WHO Lives
Tax-Exempt since 2015 | South Jordan, UT
WHO Lives provides access to clean water by installing water points in the most impoverished areas of the world. So far, 1,200 drills have been created, impacting the lives of over 1.8 million. @wholives
WHO Lives | Providing access to clean water around the world.
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Author
Marushka Hirshon is a Tahitian-American nonprofit founder, community organizer and freelance journalist. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Science, Technology and Society with a focus in Environment and Sustainability. Follow