Doing good is CLASSY

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Nominees for NBC’s CLASSY Awards are on the web, and five Ashoka Fellow organizations made the cut.   The annual ceremony, now in its second year, recognizes the top philanthropic achievements of individuals and organizations in eight cities nationwide. The winners will be announced at a glamorous Academy Award-inspired ceremony in San Diego, and NBC affiliates will stream the event live on the web.


Even if you can’t watch this year’s CLASSY Awards, you can still be a part of them.  After all, an open-source vote will determine the winners.  That means YOU decide which nominee is the classiest of them all.  Learn more about the Ashoka organizations that are in the running, and be sure to cast your vote for one of them before October 22 (that's THIS FRIDAY)!

The Polaris Project
Though this organization is located in DC, it combats human trafficking and modern-day slavery all across the globe.   Co-founder Derek Ellerman has been an Ashoka Fellow since 2004.  It’s up for Most Innovative Use of Social Media.  Vote for the Polaris Project here.

Playworks, DC
This organization, founded by US Ashoka Fellow Jill Vialet, is one of only five finalists in the category of Most Creative Fundraiser.  The organization, which preserves and promotes healthy play for kids across the US.  The innovative fundraiser that’s propelled them this far?  A rock paper scissors tournament.  Vote for Playworks, DC here.

Engineers Without Borders
Partnering with developing communities worldwide, Engineers Without Borders fosters both sustainable engineering projects and responsible engineers across the world. EWG-USA, founded by US Fellow Bernard Amadei, is in the running for two awards: the San Francisco chapter is a nominee for Charity of the Year and the New York chapter is  up for Small Charity of the Yea. Vote for Engineers Without Borders-SF here.  Vote for Engineers Without Borders-NY here.

DonorsChoose.org
This cyber commons where potential donors handpick classroom projects to fund is contending for Charity of the Year. It’s founder, US Fellow Charles Best, recently made Fortune magazine’s 40 Under 40.  Vote for DonorsChoose here.

Upwardly Global
Founded by US Ashoka Fellow Jane Leu, Upwardly Global is an organization committed to eliminating barriers to the workplace for highly skilled—yet poor and marginalized—immigrants, refugees, and asylees.  It’s a nominee in the category of Charity of the Year.  Vote for Upwardly Global here.