For the last 15 years, Fadi Daou, co-founder of the Adyan Foundation (and Elevate Prize Winner 2020) has been led by this conviction to work for sustainable peace in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Through community-building and education, the organization empowers people to reject extremist movements. So, for Fadi, watching recent events […]

UNESCO called it “one of the most devastating acts of destruction of library collections in human history,” condemning ISIS, who burned the University of Mosul library to the ground in 2015. Over a million books, historic maps, and manuscripts were turned to ash in a deliberate attempt not only to destroy the library itself, but […]

This year, 1273 applicants from 92 countries applied for the Elevate Prize, each with a vision of how to change the world. As we read through their applications, we were deeply inspired by their stories – of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It was no easy task selecting our Finalists! We’re excited to introduce them to you […]

In Pakistan, as much as 60% of the population does not have access to healthcare, but Dr. Iffat Zafar, COO and co-founder of Sehat Kahani, along with her co-founder and CEO Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and their team of female physicians have found an unexpected solution to both the challenges of healthcare access and the […]

“We’re working to turn every cell phone into a tool for democracy,” says Koketso Moeti, Founder and Executive Director of amandla.mobi, an organization that builds power for black people, with a particular focus on low income black women, by connecting and amplify voices to hold political and corporate interests to account in South Africa. “Having […]

With her organization LIFE Camp, Elevate Fellow Erica Ford’s groundbreaking programs and partnerships have contributed to resulted in a 10% reduction in violence in New York. Now she’s taking her spirit of change to Washington, working with the Biden Administration to secure $2.1 billion for the DOJ to address the gun violence public health crisis, […]

The Global Pandemic has changed all our lives. That’s been a stark reality for Dr. Dixon Chibanda of Friendship Bench, an organization that trains Grandmas to provide talk therapy from benches in the hearts of their communities. Not only did he have COVID-19 himself, he also had to deal with the loss of colleagues (“when […]

As the vaccine rollout continues and the world begins to open up again from the deep isolation of the pandemic, a lot of us are left feeling anxious and stressed. Mental Health Awareness Month gives us all the opportunity to take stock, consider our state of mind and take action. Because the best time to take care […]

As a die-hard entrepreneur, I have spent almost 50 years building businesses, motivating teams, delighting customers, and innovating wherever possible. When the time came for me to focus more on giving back and addressing societal challenges, I did so with that same entrepreneurial spirit. Whether business or philanthropy, there are some basic questions we must […]

What’s your cause? Sanitation, hygiene and adequate water access is critical for preventing and containing diseases. Clean water makes a huge impact on a community. Water is life! We work with communities on a local level to provide access to clean, safe water and improve hygiene and sanitation practices in areas of great need. How […]

As the world continues the fight against Covid-19, all eyes are on the vaccine distribution, as governments work to secure doses for those who need it most. In their annual letter Bill and Melinda Gates warn us that the lasting legacy of the coronavirus pandemic could be “immunity inequality” — a wide gap between wealthy […]

2020 was a year of seismic change. A wake up call around the world that exposed areas of neglected focus and much needed recalibration. There’s a new sense of possibility in how we approach solving problems – and that’s creating a sea change in the world of philanthropy.  Foundations and donors have been forced to […]