Ernst & Young LLP Commits $300K to Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Ernst & Young's more than 8,000 Entrepreneur Of The Year Award® winners and the organization's commitment to support future market leaders everywhere, Ernst & Young LLP has established the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Alumni Fund to reward top Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) students with college scholarships as well as aid NFTE's Adopt-a-Class initiative. This fund represents a $300,000 commitment toward matching donations by Ernst & Young LLP partners and Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni over the next three years.

Ernst & Young LLP will support NFTE in its efforts to help young people from low-income communities build skills and unlock their entrepreneurial creativity. Founded in New York in 1987, NFTE began as a program to encourage children not to drop out of school and to improve academic performance. Today, it has grown to provide educational programs around entrepreneurship for at-risk students that include; core business and financial lessons, developing a business plan, and training to compete in local and national entrepreneurship competitions. These programs further enable students to take control of their own education and find a path to success.

In addition to funding college scholarships for students, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni Fund will support NFTE's Adopt-a-Class initiative, in which Ernst & Young LLP personnel volunteer as coaches and mentors to students.

"At Ernst & Young we know our future depends on entrepreneurs, as they are the key to innovation, economic growth, and job creation," said Herb Engert, Ernst & Young's Americas Leader of Strategic Growth Markets.  "To that end, we are committed to helping these young people achieve their potential through education around entrepreneurship so that we can one day celebrate their story."

"As one of our corporate partners, Ernst & Young is a critical part of the NFTE network," says NFTE President & CEO Amy Rosen. "Beyond establishing the generous Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni-Youth Entrepreneurship Fund, the organization is actively involved across the organization. Ernst & Young LLP partners serve on each of the 11 NFTE boards in the US; the firm grants Youth Entrepreneur awards in conjunction with 15 of its Entrepreneur Of The Year programs, and hundreds of Ernst & Young LLP people volunteer to coach NFTE students in cities across the country."

Ernst & Young recently announced the global expansion of its relationship with NFTE to include a new youth scholarship for every NFTE youth program around the world, including new scholarships in Belgium, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

About the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

Too many young people today drop out of school and struggle to break the cycle of poverty. Since 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has been inspiring young people to pursue educational opportunities, start their own businesses, and succeed in life. By providing entrepreneurship education programs relevant to the real world, NFTE empowers students to own their educations in and out of the classroom and to find their own path to success. Hundreds of thousands of students have discovered opportunity all around them through entrepreneurship via thousands of certified educators worldwide. NFTE supports active programs in 18 states and nine countries around the world. Entrepreneurs are a powerful driver of economic growth and NFTE sows the seeds of innovation in students worldwide. For more information, visit www.nfte.com.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

This news release is issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm providing services to clients in the US.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP