Our only path ahead to take in the past few years was to innovate. The pandemic, which officially ended May 2023, inspired us to meet the needs of young people and adults through expanded virtual delivery, flexibility in our requirements, and increased outreach. Our aim was to foster resilience and be sure young people had opportunities to give back, to grow their essential skills, to be active, and to challenge themselves working as teams out of doors and in new environments. These were years in which the Award focused on making impactful investments around the country and in keeping young people engaged and healthy. Award USA continues to be powered by young people and adults in the USA. As a Chicago headquartered 501c3 organization Award USA is empowered by the generosity of American families, foundations, and corporations working towards building tomorrow’s leaders. Award USA’s impact is wide-reaching with programs now in 27 states and over 35 program partners. Young people rave about their experiences and collectively rank the Award alongside beloved brands. With a new focus on entering large school districts and launching deeply in four metro areas, Award USA is poised to grow. Our wider network of Award providers globally shows a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of over $959 Million USD and a projected $2.48 Billion USD in Future SROI largely from employment skills gains. We aspire globally and locally to better our communities by working towards seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - important work at home and abroad. All this good, from a set of concepts over 65 years in the making: setting goals, mentoring, striving over time, and reflecting on progress. The lesson we all learned in the pandemic, was that if you try something new, or deepen your skills, you might have a social media worthy result, but more importantly feel better too. We salute the over 3,000 young people engaging with the Award to date and look forward to teaming with you to make this opportunity available across the US to more young people from all backgrounds. We marvel at the 41,000+ hours of service, healthy activity, and skill building achieved. We celebrate that your partnership and support make it happen.
THANK YOU!
Ryan Ruskin
Board Chair
Elizabeth Higgins-Beard
CEO
Ryan Ruskin
Board Chair
Elizabeth Higgins-Beard
CEO
OUR IMPACT
A blueprint to achieving a better future for all, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 links through seven goals to the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in the USA and abroad. Together we are addressing global challenges we face, promoting peace, prosperity, and a healthy environment.
IMPROVED PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS WITH MENTAL HEALTH & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
UN SDG #3 Good Health & Well-Being
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
UN SDG #4 Quality Education
Enhanced opportunity celebrating young people's equality & assuring access
UN SDG #5 Gender Equality
IMPROVED EMPLOYABILITY & EARNING POTENTIAL
UN SDG #8 Decent Work & Ecomonic Growth
IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THROUGH THE AWARD
UN SDG #13 Climate Action
INCREASED SOCIAL & COMMUNITY COHESION
UN SDG #16 Peace, Justice & Peaceful Institutions
INCREASED ENGAGEMENT WITH CHARITABLE & COMMUNITY CAUSES
UN SDG #17 Partnership for the Goals
THE AWARD IS A
GLOBAL MOVEMENT
Engaged
1.1 MILLION
In The Award Today
An Estimated
6 MILLION
Awards Earned
Over
125K+ HOURS
Of Volunteer Service
Active Now In
129 COUNTRIES
And Territories
THE AWARD
FRAMEWORK
THE AWARD FRAMEWORK
The Award is comprised of three levels and four sections. Participants complete all four sections at each level in order to achieve either their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. At Gold Level, Participants also complete a Gold Project.
BRONZE
14+ Years Old
SILVER
15+ Years Old
GOLD
16+ Years Old
Voluntary Service
Serve others and make a positive impact in the community
PHYSICAL RECREATION
Get active and improve your physical and mental wellbeing
SKILLS
Improve your skills in current passions or develop new talents
ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
Work as a team to gain a deeper appreciation of the great outdoors
GOLD PROJECT
Take on a unfamiliar environment and engage with others on a large project
GROWING ACROSS AMERICA
GROWING ACROSS
AMERICA
Featuring our licensed Award Centers across the country
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has helped me navigate to exactly what I want to do.”
Katherine Mattikow
New York City, NY
Gold Award Holder
“Take the passions you always wanted to pursue and never had the wherewithal, time, energy, or motivation to do.”
STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS
STRATEGIC
HIGHLIGHTS
National Award Ceremony & Resilience DC Party
Honored Gold Award and virtual Silver Award Holders from the pandemic years as well as key volunteers. Joined by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and other dignitaries, events celebrated resilience and charted a path ahead. Guests visited the White House, celebrated overlooking the National Mall, and then applauded our newest alumni at a National Award Ceremony.
National Award Ceremony & Resilience DC Party
Alumni Attend Passion to Purpose
US Gold participants and Alumni attended a leadership conference before July 2022 hosted by Duke of Ed Canada where they designed community action projects.
Alumni Attend Passion to Purpose
Gold Residential Project Renamed
The Gold Project in the USA and Canada, in recognition of potential association with Residential school abuses historically endured by Indigenous families in North America has been renamed.
Gold Residential Project Renamed
Support of Ukrainian Young People
A collaboration of three Award countries to buddy up with displaced Ukrainian teens now residing in Romania, Czech Republic, and Slovakia using virtual approaches pioneered in part by Award USA. Building on learnings from The Gambia and Jordan supporting youth refugees during past conflicts.
Support of Ukrainian Young People
$959 Million SROI Measured Globally
Impact data release includes Social Return of Investment reported with a recent PwC analysis “Building the Future.” A global average established of every dollar increasing 3.5-fold.
$959 Million SROI Measured Globally
Global Forum In Romania Creates Scaling Plans
A new strategy for the Award worldwide engaging over 129 countries and territories is being built. The gathering offered best practices, ways to engage marginalized groups, and ideas on how to better brand raise.
Global Forum In Romania Creates Scaling Plans
OUR PARTNERS
Austin Chinese – American Network Boys & Girls Club – Union League British International School of Boston British International School of Chicago, South Loop British International School of Houston British International School of New York British International School of Washington BSA – Alamo Area Council BSA – Middle Tennessee Council BSA – Nevada Area Council BSA – Northern Star Council BSA – Pathway to Adventure Council BSA – Simon Kenton Council BSA – Tidewater Council BSA – The Baden Powell Legacy Foundation Carrollwood Day School Dishman Hills High School Dwight Global Online School Dwight School EF Academy- New York Food for Good Thought
Great Hearts Northern Oaks Holton – Arms School HUB International- Chicago Leman Manhattan Preparatory School Miami Dade County Public Schools – MAST Academy National Open Award Center Newark Public Schools: Science Park High School Newark Public Schools: Newark School of Data Science & IT Newark Public Schools: Technology High School Newark Public Schools: Bard High School Early College Newark Palmer Trinity School Philadelphia Outward Bound School Project Imo, Inc. Ridgeview Classical Schools Saint Mary’s Hall Silicon Valley International School Viewpoint School West Valley Muslim Association Williams Bay School District: Williams Bay High School
ACCESS & DIVERSITY
AWARD PARTICIPANTS
Award participants are diverse
(including racial or ethnic group, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability status, and/or spiritual beliefs)
51% in 2021
59% in 2022
Award participants come from low or extremely low income household
(100% of financial need assistance grants requested were met 2021-2023 for assistance to 66+ young people and 6 Award Centers)
17% in 2021
19% in 2022
Award participants are racially or ethnically diverse
37% in 2021
59% in 2022
Award participants report a physical, cognitive, or learning difference
12% in 2021
13% in 2022
STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS
Award Staff & Board Members are diverse*
50% in 2021
50% in 2022
Award Staff & Board Members are racially or ethnically diverse
33% in 2021
33% in 2022
Award Staff & Board Identifying Gender
56% Female
44% Male
STORIES FROM
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
Alyssa Lego
Toms River, NJ & Boston, MA
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Holder
“The Award has given me an appreciation for trial and error, for patience, for balance, for discipline. It’s not an Award, it’s a lifestyle”
Lokesh Pugalenthi
Houston, TX
Bronze, Silver & Gold Award Holder
“The Award helped me with inner resilience”
Chen Jin
New York City, NY & Providence, RI
Silver Award Holder & Gold Award Participant
“I didn’t know my journey was going to be this amazing. It is going to be something you can’t even imagine.”
FINANCE IN REVIEW
IN REVIEW
FINANCE
April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023
Areas of Revenue
$644,090
Contributions: Individuals
$391,356
Contributions: Foundations
$65,342
Government ERC
$68,813
Award Fees Revenue
$78,632
In Kind Donations & Misc.
$39,947
Deficit spending this year as organization recovers from pandemic impacts including fewer events, sponsorships, and enrollment dip. Relying on accrued gifts from FY22. Cash change net assets ($130,102).
Areas of EXPENSE
$926,436
Awareness
Donor outreach and outreach to inactive
Staffing
Supporting growth of participants, volunteers and fundraising
Training
Reached 17 new Award Leaders and Coordinators in 37 states and virtually
Financial Assistance
81 grants to increase access for low income participants and Award Centers
Operations
IT upgrades, SalesforceCRM build
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
OUR BOARD
MEMBERS
AWARD USA BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Major David Clarke, CVO Honorary Advisor, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation
John Danielson Chairman and CEO, The Chartwell Hamilton Group
Paul E. Godinez Partner, Bailey Duquette
Emma Morton Director of Finance, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation
Ryan Ruskin President & CEO, The Ruskin Group
BOARD MEMBERS EMERITUS
Gregory Belton
Nichelle S. Carr
Michael Clarke
Rick Gulliver
Amber Kennelly
Richard Pinola
Kimberly Saccaro
Anne Wallestad
Ex-officio
Elizabeth Higgins-Beard, CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award USA
HONORARY BOARD
Stephen Bridges, LVO
Oliver Franklin II, CBE
David Hryck
Kim Katz
Elizabeth Libby
Daniel Singer
Deborah Webster
OUR STAFF
Elizabeth
Higgins-Beard
CEO
Lisa
Metzger-Mugg
VP of Program & Ops
Jennifer Power
Program Officer
Belinda
Jordan
Interim Finance Director
Drew Yingling
Program Officer
Isabel Beariault
Alumni Award Leader
Víctor Echániz
Alumni Award Leader
Rosie Westerback
Alumni Award Leader
“The Award program imparts essential skills crucial for success in both personal and professional spheres to all of its Participants. Achieving this Award sets an individual apart, showcasing their ability to take initiative and emerge as a leader within their community. It is a prestigious achievement that instills a profounds sense of confidence in everyone who earns any Level of this Award.”
– Blake Stephens, Gold Award Holder
Our impactful programs provide invaluable life skills.
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