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The Eagle Academy Foundation Receives $2 Million Gift From the Yield Giving Open Call

New York, NY, March 19, 2024—Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced The Eagle Academy Foundation as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. The Eagle Academy Foundation received $2 million. This award is a testament to our impactful work in confronting systemic barriers and enhancing opportunities for young men of color through our Eagle Institute.

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. 

“I am deeply moved by this level of support and recognition from Yield Giving,” President & CEO Donald M. Ruff Jr states. “This is a pivotal moment for us, as it acknowledges our unwavering commitment to young men of color, a group too often marginalized. This generous gift is a testament to a unique and inclusive review process that included those of us on the ground, making a difference every day. We are honored and inspired to be part of a movement that sees, respects, and invests in their potential. Thank you for helping us to scale our impact.”

The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. 

“We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” 

More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org

The Eagle Academy Foundation 

The Eagle Academy Foundation challenges systemic barriers, thereby empowering young men of color to achieve their desired educational, career, and life outcomes. We deliver strategic direct-impact work and advance institutional change toward equity. To learn more, visit www.eafny.org.

Yield Giving 

Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.

Lever for Change 

Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.

New York, NY, March 19, 2024—Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced The Eagle Academy Foundation as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. The Eagle Academy Foundation received $2 million. This award is a testament to our impactful work in confronting systemic barriers and enhancing opportunities for young men of color through our Eagle Institute.

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. 

“I am deeply moved by this level of support and recognition from Yield Giving,” President & CEO Donald M. Ruff Jr states. “This is a pivotal moment for us, as it acknowledges our unwavering commitment to young men of color, a group too often marginalized. This generous gift is a testament to a unique and inclusive review process that included those of us on the ground, making a difference every day. We are honored and inspired to be part of a movement that sees, respects, and invests in their potential. Thank you for helping us to scale our impact.”

The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. 

“We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” 

More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org

The Eagle Academy Foundation 

The Eagle Academy Foundation challenges systemic barriers, thereby empowering young men of color to achieve their desired educational, career, and life outcomes. We deliver strategic direct-impact work and advance institutional change toward equity. To learn more, visit www.eafny.org.

Yield Giving 

Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.

Lever for Change 

Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.

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