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"Good corporate citizenship and operating responsibly are important to Microsoft's long term success. We strive to be a positive partner in communities, and manage our environmental footprint. What Citizenship Means at Microsoft: Our mission is to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. As the world's largest software company, Microsoft helps to create social and economic opportunities wherever we work, live, and do business. Our technology innovations, our people, our partnerships, and our day-to-day business contribute to the prosperity of communities and the sustainability of the planet. Our commitment to good corporate citizenship reflects our belief that social and economic opportunity go hand in hand. When individuals, communities, and governments thrive, so do we. Our citizenship efforts focus on four key areas that allow us to best use our technology, people, partnerships and business to promote social good and economic opportunity."

"Our Strategy: The National Urban League employs a five-point approach to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for African Americans. Education and Youth Empowerment ensures the education of all children by providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and college scholarships. Economic Empowerment invests in the financial literacy and employability of adults through job training, homeownership and entrepreneurship. Health and Quality of Life Empowerment promotes community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare. Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment encourages all people to take an active role to improve quality of life through participation in community service projects and public policy initiatives. Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment guarantees equal participation in all facets of American society through proactive public policies and community-based programs."

"MicroMentor is a free online service that connects small business owners with business mentors. MicroMentor puts experience to work by offering business professionals meaningful volunteer opportunities and by offering entrepreneurs one-on-one advice to help build successful businesses. Our mission is to help small businesses grow faster, generate more revenue, and employ more people. We make it easy to be a mentor, find a mentor, and build a business. A free online service, we provide entrepreneurs with proven opportunities to grow their businesses and increase revenues by participating in a mentoring relationship. Entrepreneurs, particularly those with low-incomes and limited access to business resources, realize significant economic benefits from mentoring services. Mentors are provided with meaningful opportunities to "give back" by sharing their experience and expertise. We primarily connect microentrepreneurs, owners of businesses that employ five people or less, to volunteer mentors who have successfully navigated business ownership or management. MicroMentor is dedicated to the proposition that the success of low-income microentrepreneurs is crucial to the economic and social well being of our communities. For more information, download MicroMentor's Program Overview or contact us at info@micromentor.org."

"The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) is a bicameral Congressional Committee composed of ten members from each the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are twelve Democrats and eight Republicans on the Committee. The JEC was established by the Employment Act of 1946 (Public Law 304). Its main purpose is to make a continuing study of matters relating to the US economy. The Committee holds hearings, performs research and advises Members of Congress."

"The National Math and Science Initiative was formed to address one of this nation's greatest economic and intellectual threats - the declining number of students who are prepared to take rigorous college courses in math and science and equipped for careers in those fields. To flourish in the 21st century, the United States must continue to generate intellectual capital that can drive the economic engine of our future prosperity. This crucial project was initiated as a public-private partnership, led by private donors such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation."

The PPN website is a unique resource that offers credible, research-based information on what works to improve the lives of children and families. Sometimes referred to as a "best practices" site or a "model program" site, PPN is both of those things and much more. In addition to providing information on Programs that Work, PPN also links to additional research information in all areas related to child well-being, including their physical and mental health, academic success, and economic security. These additional resources include Research in Brief, Resources and Tools and Expert Perspectives. To promote successful implementation of best practices and model programs, PPN also screens and posts evidence-based information on effective Service Delivery. In addition to the breadth of information PPN provides, visitors can rely on PPN to provide information that has met our high standards for scientific credibility, objectivity, and clarity. Learn about our process for reviewing information for inclusion on the site and how to submit a program for consideration.

Founded in 1998, Quantum develops artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software for K-12, higher education, distance learning and adult education. Our software is designed to be affordable and accessible to all students, including those with special needs. Quantum is the only AI company capable of integrating cutting-edge technology for textbook publishers, educational software providers or distance learning organizations. For the first time, the production costs and long lead times associated with content development and manual coding are eliminated. Not only do our partners experience tremendous production savings, they can offer uniquely-integrated AI learning products scientifically proven to increase test scores by as much as 50%. A "technology think tank", Quantum has leveraged over $8.5 million in federal research funding for new product development for its partners with support from the U.S. Department of Education, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. As a result of its revolutionary work in AI technology, Quantum was awarded the national Tibbitts Award, the highest recognition given by the federal government for exceptional small business achievement in leading-edge research, technology innovation and economic impact.

"PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.® Founded in 1999, PolicyLink connects the work of people on the ground to the creation of sustainable communities of opportunity that allow everyone to participate and prosper. Such communities offer access to quality jobs, affordable housing, good schools, transportation, and the benefits of healthy food and physical activity. Guided by the belief that those closest to the nation's challenges are central to finding solutions, PolicyLink relies on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local residents and organizations. Lifting Up What Works is our way of focusing attention on how people are working successfully to use local, state, and federal policy to create conditions that benefit everyone, especially people in low-income communities and communities of color. We share our findings and analysis through our publications, website and online tools, convenings, national summits, and in briefings with national and local policymakers. Our work is grounded in the conviction that equity-just, fair, and green inclusion-must drive all policy decisions."

"Freedom is always under siege. Around the world, authoritarian regimes deprive millions of people of basic economic and social rights. Even elected governments can burden their citizens with labyrinthine bureaucracies and complex, unnecessary laws. And while some regimes are obviously worse than others, they all have apologists who obscure these conditions by twisting the relationship between freedom and human fulfillment."

"Focusing on the K-12 community In the late 1990s, the State of Michigan founded Michigan Virtual University to support the state's economic development efforts by providing convenient and cost-effective education and training to Michigan's current and future workforce. After redefining its mission and vision in 2004, MVU now serves the K-12 education community exclusively through the Michigan Virtual School and Michigan LearnPort. As one of the largest virtual schools in the U.S., Michigan Virtual School offers more than 150 online courses, including unique courses like Chinese and CareerForward®, an online career exploration course. Michigan LearnPort brings professional development to the K-12 educational community. Hosting a broad catalog of courses and collaborative tools, Michigan LearnPort provides online learning resources and solutions for educators. MVU provides powerful and engaging online career development tools for high school and middle school students, parents and K-12 educators, including a no-cost online course called CareerForward that helps all Michigan schools meet the state's online learning graduation requirement. MVU's web-based application called myDreamExplorer® gives students an opportunity to explore different career pathways, take personal interest surveys and build a personalized education development plan. The MVU organizational values represent a set of core beliefs that continue to build a high performance team environment. These value statements serve as the foundation for MVU's vision and mission statements. MVU is committed to the following values: High standards for quality, ongoing research and the use of data to improve operational decisions; Use of innovative technologies to address persistent educational challenges; Listening to customer and stakeholder feedback to guide product and service evelopment plans; Excellence in the design, development and delivery of online educational

"Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation Mission and Vision: Picture the happy, effective and contributing global citizens of tomorrow. Being lifelong learners and digitally fluent, they participate fully in every aspect of social and economic life. To make this picture a reality, today's students must learn differently. They must be granted an education that fosters their innate motivation to learn, that encourages academic rigor through relevant application, and that connects them with the world they will enter. This approach is often called 'anytime anywhere learning.' To take part in anytime, anywhere learning, students must be provided with: *A constructivist, international education where meaningful tasks subsume curriculum objectives. * A personal, portable computer with which to think about, construct and share ideas The Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation is a not for profit organization whose primary purpose is to ensure that all children have access to unlimited opportunities to learn anytime and anywhere and that they have the tools that make this possible. AALF members are committed to making anytime, anywhere learning a reality for all students. We believe that this release of human potential is in the best interest of our children and society. Through the AALF, members access research, resources and a professional network, and create strong, sustainable, learning-driven, 1-to-1 technology environments."

"My Wonderful World is a National Geographic-led campaign-backed by a coalition of national business and non-profit organizations -to expand geographic learning in school, at home, and in communities. We want to give kids the power of global knowledge. Since the campaign launched, more than 80,000 people like you have signed up to show their support. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Geography is more than places on a map. It's global connections. People and cultures. Economics and environments. Our young people need to know geography in order to understand today's world-and succeed in tomorrow's. But they're not getting enough of it, in or out of school. A National Geographic-Roper survey shows half of young Americans can't locate world powers like Japan and India. Twenty percent can't even find the Pacific Ocean. Without geography, our children aren't ready for the world. With your help, we can make geography education a priority. Kids who understand our world today can succeed in it tomorrow.

"The Reemployment Works! Community of Practice is a communications vehicle to offer technical assistance, share promising practices, and network with colleagues in the Workforce and Economic Development world. Workforce3One currently has over 50,000 registrants from every corner of our workforce world, not just the public workforce system: Business and Industry, Education and Training, Non-Governmental organizations and Community-based organizations, Faith-based organizations, organized labor. To date, our knowledge-sharing tool, Workforce3One has been a repository for tools and resources that complement the technical assistance offered by ETA and peer-to-peer learning. Using social media and Web 2.0 technology, we can take this to another level. You may consider the Reemployment Community of Practice an exclusive, professional club. Exclusive (we're inviting only 50,000 of our closest associates), professional (we're offering technical assistance to build the capacity of the public workforce system) club (we'd like to keep the engagement informal and socially comfortable). Through our Community of Practice (CoP) we can open more two-way exchanges among thought-leaders and workforce system learners. We can communicate in real time and continue "conversations" we started at a forum, a Webinar, a conference call, etc. We can upload documents to the Wiki section and ask our colleagues to edit them or offer comments. Wikis can also be used to document what's happening in your region on a particular topic. Our CoP can be used to jump start collaboration on a project and to engage in peer-to-peer learning activities. The CoP also complements our blended learning strategy . Now our colleagues can view a PodCast that introduces or defines a topic, then move to a wiki document to be share or edit content, then participate in a Webinar to learn more and to brainstorm further, and then join a discussion thread on the CoP to "continue

"The mission of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, is to improve the lives of our members and their families, to give voice to their legitimate professional, economic and social aspirations, to strengthen the institutions in which we work, to improve the quality of the services we provide, to bring together all members to assist and support one another and to promote democracy, human rights and freedom in our union, in our nation and throughout the world."

"Our Mission The Resource Center of the Americas informs, educates and organizes to promote human rights, economic justice, democratic participation, and cross cultural understanding in the context of globalization in the Americas."

"21st Century Leaders, operated under the charter of Georgia Business Forum, Inc., is a non-profit organization that collaborates with business and education leaders to develop, inspire and nurture students with leadership potential to make a positive impact on their schools, communities and future places of work. The mission of 21st Century Leaders is to increase the number, skills and diversity of Georgia's future leaders. The program begins in the summer of sophomore year and continues during high school. 21st Century Leaders hail from over 130 high schools across the state of Georgia. They are truly a picture of Georgia; they are urban and rural, minority and majority, male and female. They come from differing economic circumstances and family backgrounds."

"Our Mission: The World Wide Workshop is a global foundation for developing open-source applications of social media technology and game production, to enhance learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and an understanding of the world in economically-disadvantaged and technologically-underserved communities. The foundation works with forward-thinking leaders, corporations, school systems, universities, foundations and research centers worldwide to enrich existing formal and non-formal education with the latest technology and innovative learning opportunities."

"Workforce3 One, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is an interactive communications and learning platform designed to build the capacity of the Workforce Investment System (WIS) to develop strategies that enable individuals to be successful in the 21st century economy. This platform provides online insight into the skills and competencies required by business and industry through the innovative workforce solutions identified by a wide range of strategic partners and grantees. Workforce3 One: Allows the workforce system, educators, business and industry, and others to share their innovative approaches, products, and tools; Offers online learning events (webinars) that highlight promising practices and provides a space to share ideas; Provides a vehicle for ETA to share information and products developed at the national level; Serves as a key point of dissemination for the approaches, products, and tools for High Growth, Community-Based Job Training grants, and Workforce in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative; Offers a current searchable database of 3,500 learning modules with additional material added weekly; and Provides and supports collaborative workspaces to allow individuals associated with the WIRED initiative regional economies to share information to support their socially networked leadership groups, partnerships, and strategies."

"BitTorrent is the global standard for delivering high-quality files over the Internet. With an installed base of over 160 million clients worldwide, BitTorrent technology has turned conventional distribution economics on its head. The more popular a large video, audio or software file, the faster and cheaper it can be transferred with BitTorrent. The result is a better digital entertainment experience for everyone. With tens of thousands of new users every day, BitTorrent has multiple lines of business:"

My Wonderful World is a National Geographic-led campaign-backed by a coalition of national business and non-profit organizations-to expand geographic learning in school, at home, and in communities. We want to give kids the power of global knowledge. Since the campaign launched, more than 80,000 people like you have signed up to show their support. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Geography is more than places on a map. It's global connections. People and cultures. Economics and environments. Our young people need to know geography in order to understand today's world-and succeed in tomorrow's. But they're not getting enough of it, in or out of school. A National Geographic-Roper survey shows half of young Americans can't locate world powers like Japan and India. Twenty percent can't even find the Pacific Ocean. Without geography, our children aren't ready for the world. With your help, we can make geography education a priority. Kids who understand our world today can succeed in it tomorrow.