Endeavor to be Awarded the 2015 Henry R. Kravis Prize in Nonprofit Leadership at April 23 ceremony

CLAREMONT, Calif., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When Javier Okhuysen and Carlos Orellana wanted to help prevent avoidable blindness in Mexico through state-of-the art, low-cost cataract surgery and eye care, they turned to Endeavor to help develop their business, salaUno. When Leila Velez sought help to grow her afro-Brazilian hair care business, Endeavor provided her with the necessary business tools and mentoring to realize her dream. Today Beleza Natural operates a chain of 24 salons and employs over 1,000 women. And when Sugianto Tandio determined his mission was to solve the waste and pollution problems that Indonesia faces, Endeavor afforded him access to a network of experts, helping to turn his company, Tirta Marta, into a leader in next generation eco-friendly plastics using Indonesia's natural resources.

In recognition for its revolutionary work to provide support and mentorship to high-impact entrepreneurs such as Javier, Leila, and Sugianto, as well as some 1,000 others from 22 countries on five continents (including, most recently, two US cities), who in turn have stimulated local economies through the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs, Endeavor has been named the recipient of the 10^th Annual Henry R. Kravis Prize in Nonprofit Leadership. The Kravis Prize is among the world's most prestigious awards for nonprofit leadership, akin to a Nobel geared specifically to this sector.

Endeavor will receive the Kravis Prize and $250,000 award on April 23, 2015 at Claremont McKenna College as part of a special celebration of the Prize's 10^th Anniversary and of the 20^th Anniversary of the College's Kravis Leadership Institute. The ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of best-in-class nonprofits and enables winners to share their best practices with others.

"Endeavor exemplifies the Prize's philosophy about entrepreneurship, social good, and venture philanthropy. Endeavor's leadership has had a profound impact on everyday people," said Marie-Josee Kravis, an economist who is chair of the Kravis Prize Selection Committee. "We are grateful for its remarkable work to change lives all over the world, creating invaluable jobs and resources."

"Endeavor is a perfect example of a nonprofit that has significant influence on the ground and great success creating a sustainable ecosystem for future impact," said Henry R. Kravis, an alumnus and trustee of the College who is co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., and founder of the Kravis Prize. "We applaud Endeavor's impressive accomplishments developing high-impact companies and entrepreneurs, and work to transform the economic landscapes of underdeveloped countries."

Established in 2006, The Henry R. Kravis Prize in Nonprofit Leadership conducts a rigorous due diligence and selection process to choose an annual recipient. The Prize impacts the nonprofit sector overall by lauding strong performances and sharing recipients' best practices with others. The Prize is administered by Claremont McKenna College.

2015 Kravis Prize Recipient: Endeavor

Founded in 1997 by Linda Rottenberg and Peter Kellner, Endeavor has helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs build more than 600 companies in 22 countries. Endeavor Entrepreneurs have collectively created more than 400,000 jobs, generating close to $7 billion in revenue. 

The organization's mission is to lead the global movement to catalyze long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring, and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs around the world. Endeavor helps them overcome barriers to growth by providing the key ingredients to success: mentorship; networks; strategic advice; talent; skills; access to smart capital; and inspiration from the world's top financial institutions and consulting firms. Guided by Endeavor, these entrepreneurs generate sustainable economic growth and jobs, become self-made role models, and help nurture a culture of entrepreneurship which spurs investment and encourages people to think big. The entrepreneurs in return are required to help other local companies grow by reinvesting in their community, becoming mentors and donating their time and resources.

"We're honored and grateful to receive the Kravis Prize," said Endeavor co-founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg. "This is a testament to the amazing work of our board members, staff and mentors in 22 countries who have helped thousands of entrepreneurs to think big, achieve their dreams, and pay it forward in their communities."

The Endeavor model of creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that generates jobs and encourages social change is embedded in Claremont McKenna College's DNA, and embodied by the Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI). Students in the academic center learn about leadership development through the lens of social entrepreneurship and are provided with unique opportunities to develop as outstanding real world leaders in the public, private, and social sectors.

"As the host of the Kravis Prize, as the hub of emerging Kravis Prize network of leaders in global social innovation, and as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, we are thrilled to welcome Endeavor to the Claremont McKenna College family," said CMC President Hiram Chodosh. "We are extremely grateful to Henry and Marie-Josee for the opportunity to support the Kravis Prize winners in this vitally important global social innovation movement, and Endeavor is an inspiring exemplar for our leading CMC social innovators."

SOURCE Claremont McKenna College