(Oct. 28, 2015) — The Resolution Project and Voya Financial, Inc., through its Voya Foundation philanthropic arm, announced today a Corporate Program Partnership to provide funding, expertise, and volunteers to young social entrepreneurs working to improve economic access and opportunity in the United States. This partnership represents the shared commitment of Resolution and Voya to support youth who are helping to advance economic empowerment in the United States.
There are currently more than 220 Resolution Fellows implementing social ventures in 54 countries and 19 U.S. states. They are addressing a diverse range of pressing global issues, including environmental sustainability, public health, education, poverty, and more. Voya is contributing financial support, expertise, and other resources to help identify, train, and support undergraduate students who, as Resolution Fellows, will execute entrepreneurial solutions to promote economic empowerment in underserved communities. This partnership will focus specifically on encouraging undergraduate students to develop innovative solutions to address financial literacy and learning, workforce development and job creation, college access and completion, and K-12 STEM education in the United States.
The Resolution Project identifies Fellows through a robust pitch competition — the Social Venture Challenge. Voya employees will attend Resolution Social Venture Challenges and assist in evaluating ventures and potential Fellows. Additional Voya team members will participate in an intensive, skills-based volunteering program to mentor and advise Resolution Fellows as they work to implement these high-impact social ventures. Voya volunteers will cumulatively donate dozens of hours per month to support inspiring, creative undergraduate entrepreneurs working to address this pressing challenge.
“At Voya, we believe that academic and economic empowerment are an essential first step towards building stronger communities and more secure financial futures,” said Angela Harrell, head of Voya Foundation and Office of Corporate Responsibility. “We are thrilled to partner with The Resolution Project on this effort, which aligns with our commitment to education as a way to prepare young people for college and 21st century careers. It is inspiring to see a new generation of young social entrepreneurs who are eager to make a positive difference in our world.”
“Young leaders’ ability to bring about change is a crucial factor in collective efforts to make this world a better place,” noted Tracey Allard, Executive Director of The Resolution Project. “The Voya/Resolution partnership will foster the potential of promising leaders to have a positive economic impact. Voya’s generous investment and corporate leadership will activate Resolution Fellows who aim to empower disadvantaged communities in the United States. Resolution is proud to partner with Voya as we work to develop socially responsible young leaders in the U.S.”
Resolution Fellows have collectively helped more than 300,000 beneficiaries in recent years, providing job training, education, health care, and other vital services. Together, Resolution and Voya will grow this impact, equipping a new generation of college students with funding, skills, and mentorship they need to create jobs and empower children, families, and communities across the country.
About The Resolution Project:
The Resolution Project is a unique pathway to action for aspiring young social entrepreneurs, growing a global community of socially responsible leaders. Founded in 2007, Resolution identifies young leaders through Social Venture Challenges and empowers them to make a positive impact today through Resolution Fellowships. Our Founders created Resolution because they recognized that the inspiring energy and idealism of undergraduate youth summits quickly dissipated because the events offered no path to action. Resolution Fellows receive dynamic, hands-on support to implement their ventures and to develop as socially responsible leaders. With more than 200 Resolution Fellows in over 50 countries, working in diverse, high-impact fields such as education, healthcare, human rights, water resources, and sustainability, Resolution is building a generation of leaders with a lifelong commitment to social responsibility. The Resolution Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit www.resolutionproject.org.
About Voya Foundation:
Voya Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Voya Financial® operates and its employees and customers live. Voya Foundation provides grants and establishes signature partnerships in the areas of financial literacy and children’s education and fosters employee engagement to deepen our positive impact on the community. For more information, visit www.voyafoundation.com. About Voya Financial: Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 13 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $11 billion in revenue in 2014. The company had $484 billion in total assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2015. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time — Voya’s vision is to be America’s Retirement Company™. The company is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible — Voya has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, by the Ethisphere Institute, and as one of the Top Green Companies in the U.S., by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit voya.com or view the company’s 2014 annual report. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook and Twitter @Voya.