Independent Sector’s members represent the variety of ways that working toward the common good happens in our country, and they reflect an array of unique visions for making a better tomorrow.
Each month, we also get to ring in a number of member-versaries. Check out this month’s anniversaries and spend some time learning more about each of these organizations!
5 years
Accountability Lab
Accountability Lab is an international incubator for accountability changemakers to develop and implement innovative ideas for integrity in their communities. It has locations in five different countries, including its domestic office is in Washington, DC. One of Accountability Lab’s signature initiatives is Integrity Idol—an award program that recognizes global civil servants who exemplify responsibility as they build networks to push for positive change and inspire effective leadership in new generations. Accountability Lab was founded in 2012 by Blair Glencorse, who—among other things—is an alum of the American Express NGen Fellows program. Last spring, Blair was also a finalist for the 2017 NGen Leadership Award.
Learn more | Twitter: @AccountLab | Facebook: Accountability Lab | Follow Blair Glencorse: @blairglencorse
Living Cities
Living Cities is a collaboration of 18 foundations and financial institutions, working in over 30 U.S. cities to build new types of urban practices to improve the economic wellbeing of low-income people. They also have innovation partners in nine communities their Integration Initiative. Founded in 1991, Living Cities has offices in Washington, DC and New York and is led by Ben Hecht.
Learn more | Twitter: @Living_Cities | Facebook: Living Cities | Follow Ben Hecht: @benhecht
Cedarmere Foundation
The Seattle-based Cedarmere Foundation supports the development and sustainability of effective governance and leadership in small nonprofit organizations that focus on education, health and human services in the Puget Sound region. Cedarmere was set up in 2005 and is presided over by co-founder Kathleen Edwards.
3 years
National Indian Child Welfare Association
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NIWCA) has its origins in 1983, when Northwest Indian Child Welfare Institute recognized a shortage of American Indian/Alaska Native workers in child welfare programs. What came out of that was a program dedicated to training tribal workers, which evolved into its own organization 1987. Though the new organization retained its focus on Northwest tribes, its activities grew increasingly national in scope until, in 1994, it took on the name it has today to reflect its expanded reach. NIWCA is led by Sarah Kastelic—an Independent Sector board member and the 2014 recipient of the American Express NGen Leadership Award.
Learn more | Twitter: @NativeChildren | Facebook: National Indian Child Welfare Association
Running Strong for American Indian Youth
Probably few organizations will tell you their story begins at the Olympics. Running Strong is one of those. Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) entered the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games a virtual unknown and left with a gold medal in the 10,000 meter run. His victory is considered one of the greatest Olympic upsets and he remains the only U.S. runner to ever win the event. In 1986, Mills joined forces with Eugene Krizek of Christian Relief Services to create an organization dedicated to improving the futures of American Indian youth. Mills was orphaned at the age of 12 and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota—one of the two areas the organization began its work on. It has since expanded to serve American Indian people on and off reservations throughout the country. Running Strong is led by CEO Bryan Krizek, and Mills continues to serve as national spokesperson.
Learn more | Twitter: @RunStrong4AIY | Facebook: Running Strong for American Indian Youth
To learn more about IS membership, check out our Membership page.
