All People Making a Difference
- Five poverty-fighting women to watch
These women don't hand out aid. They're creating innovative new ways for women – and men – to lift themselves out of poverty.
- On Japan earthquake anniversary: a letter of hope and resilience
One year after the Japan earthquake and tsunami, a resident finds gratitude and cooperation amid the devastation.
- Difference MakerKathy Eldon overcame tragedy by helping others tackle challenges
After losing her journalist son in Somalia, Kathy Eldon started a foundation that's touched the lives of millions.
- Thousands give up carbon for Lent
During Lent, the season of reflection, Christians around the world are focusing on being better stewards of creation.
- On International Women’s Day: 12 innovations that are lifting women out of poverty
International Women's Day (March 8) celebrates women's achievements. Innovative ideas and programs, such as the 12 below, are helping women better care for themselves and their families.
- Franco Majok fled Sudan – but returned to build a school
Education helped Franco Majok escape from war-torn Sudan. Now his Village Help for South Sudan has built a school there – and more.
- In India, 'paraskilling' creates new jobs by slicing old ones to bits
India uses 'paraskilling,' dividing tasks into jobs requiring more or less skill, to create new job opportunities and increase productivity.
- Haiti effort expands production of hunger-busting peanut butter
A nonprofit is cranking up production of Nourimanba, a nutritious peanut-based paste, in Haiti, where as many as 300,000 children face malnutrition.
- Five urban garden programs that train inmates and help communities
Prison gardening programs teach inmates valuable skills, reduce recidivism, and provide those in need with fresh produce.
- Does conservative philanthropy ignore the poor?
Conservative philanthropy once helped dispel the stereotype of conservatives as uncaring or hardhearted by developing thoughtful private approaches to alleviating poverty. Why has it been abandoned today?
- Rethinking Carbon Dioxide (CO2): from a pollutant to a moneymaker
Three startup companies led by prominent scientists are working on new technologies to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The scientific community is skeptical, but these entrepreneurs believe removing CO2 can eventually be profitable and help cool the planet.
- From hazelnut trees to Foxconn and iPhones, corporate responsibility is growing
Mountain Hazelnut Venture is planting trees, paying fair wages, and supplying customers in a triple win for corporate social responsibility.
- Tacugama gives sanctuary to chimpanzees - through war and peace
Even an 11-year civil war couldn't stop Bala Amarasekaran from rescuing and rehabilitating chimps in Sierra Leone.
- Helping New Orleans make a comeback is her personal passion
Brittany Aydelotte has visited New Orleans 10 times, sharing her love for the city with each new group of volunteers.
- 'Lemonade Detroit' film shares stories of resilience
Documentary film by Erik Prouix highlights the resilience of Detroit while paying for itself through a Buy-A-Frame offer
- Bringing quicker, easier solar power to rural Africa
SolarNexus custom designs small solar power systems so that they can be easily installed in the field, providing a kick-start to the local economy.
- ICNL wins $1 million MacArthur Award to promote freedom of assembly around the world
The ICNL(International Center for Not-for-Profit Law) received $1 million from the MacArthur Foundation to advance its mission of creating a legal framework for the right of assembly and association in countries around the world.
- Turning the opinions of Arab Spring youths into data – and creating change
Silatech and Gallup have teamed to collect detailed data on the views of Arab youths toward jobs and success – all to help policymakers make better decisions.
- Difference MakerGiving London street kids – even teen gang members – a safe (and colorful) home
Camila Batmanghelidjh founded Kids Company to help children – and now helps troubled teens. who often get little sympathy since the London riots.
- Crisis Action makes a big noise using quiet citizen diplomacy
Crisis Action acts like a coach or talent scout for humanitarian and other citizen groups – but always behind the scenes.