All 2012 Fellows were selected through a rigorous, highly competitive application process that included a comprehensive online application as well as an in-depth video interview. Just 12 organizations were selected for this year's Accelerator Program. Below, read a short overview of each organization, and click through to read more about the fellows and their work.
Krochet Kids intl. is a non-profit organization that exists to empower people to rise above poverty. Through an innovative program, they offer women the assets, skills, and knowledge to pull themselves out of poverty. The byproduct of their programs is a collection of fashion headwear and accessories made by the Krochet Kids intl. beneficiaries.
EMM started with a book entitled Every Monday Matters - 52 Ways to Make a Difference. The idea was simple: show people how they can change the world by doing something every Monday to make a difference. That people matter. EMM has since become a national movement of ordinary people doing extraordinary good.
Matchbook Learning’s vision is to completely turnaround America’s most underperforming public schools by designing and implementing a unique teacher-centric hybrid model of school that coaches teachers to personalize instruction via content that is delivered through technology, but enhanced by a teacher’s own experience of autonomy, mastery and purpose over their instruction.
Ugive.org is a non-profit organization on a mission to catalyze, excite and empower the next generation of volunteers. They make philanthropy relevant to students, guiding them to give their time and talents to build communities. Their goal is to create life-long givers.
Tegu is a socially-motivated, for-profit toy company with operations in Honduras and the USA. Tegu blocks -- wooden blocks which magically incorporate magnets -- have won awards for innovative and green design and are sold throughout the USA via Tegu.com and approximately 500 retail stores. Tegu's vision is to build the world's most innovative premium toy company.
Rare Genomics Institute empowers patient communities to accelerate research by helping fund and create personalized research projects based on individuals with rare diseases. Their first initiative is to sequence the genomes of these patients.
World Wide Open is a fast growing online network of action oriented Christians, churches and non-profits. WWO is currently available in 8 languages and is used by over 12,000 leaders in more than 100 countries.
The Sinapis Group’s mission is to empower early stage entrepreneurs in the developing world with innovative, scalable business ideas by providing them with a rigorous Christ-centered business education, world-class consulting and mentoring services and access to seed capital.
Create Common Good provides training and employment to refugees and others in need. CCG operates small farms, product creation, and high end foodservice to provide further on-the-job training opportunities while uniquely meeting community needs.
Kevon & Bart have started a not just “for-profit” company with a mission to make wellness reachable by bringing down the barriers to healthy living. More details about this Silicon Valley-based startup will be publicly available later in the year.
Paradigm Shift is a non-profit that works alongside churches and community organizations to develop a more effective, sustainable way to reach the poor in their communities, empowering microentrepreneurs through business training, discipleship, microcredit and mentorship.
International Orphanage Union provides homes for orphans in Bolivia. They build small homes for 10 children and partner with the local church to find a Christian couple to lead each home. Uniquely, IOU Bolivia has established multiple business enterprises for the sole purpose of providing a sustainable model for the ongoing financial needs of each child within the house.