Gallup-HOPE Index Support Builds as Bank of the West, E*TRADE, Meta Payment Systems and MasterCard Commit Additional Capital

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• USA - English

Gallup-HOPE Index's matching partner commitments of $500K lay foundation for the dissemination of a national survey that will define the criteria to empower American youth

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nonprofit Operation HOPE (HOPE), a global leader in financial dignity, today announced increased 2011 support for the Gallup HOPE Index, a national survey measuring financial literacy and the economic energy of U.S. students, acknowledging $500K in additional contributions from Bank of the West, E*TRADE, Meta Payment Systems and MasterCard for the long-term project. The announcement comes on the morning of the inaugural Gallup HOPE Index Forum, held at Gallup's World Headquarters.

Initial seed capital for the Index included a $150K (multi-year) commitment from CoreLogic and a $100K commitment from Meta Payment Systems.  The additional commitments of $150K from Bank of The West, $125K from E*TRADE, $100K from MasterCard, $130K from Meta Payment Systems will be capital invested in the ongoing work of disseminating the Gallup-HOPE Index on a national basis. To ensure the survey's sustaining power, Gallup is investing $5M to audit and measure U.S. school students for the Gallup-HOPE Index, as its gift to American schools.

"Operation HOPE has always worked to empower the underserved," said John Hope Bryant, HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO. "The creation of the Gallup-HOPE Index demonstrates HOPE's commitment towards cutting edge solutions, the Index will help America to stay ahead of the curve and overcome challenges."

For the next 100 years, Gallup and HOPE will work together to identify wellbeing, engagement, hope and economic energy in American students. This survey, which will poll more than 30 million students nationwide, will help educators factor in the voices of students when tailoring education curriculum and determining schooling interventions.

Ultimately, this study stands to become one of most powerful initial forecasts for the nation's GNP, job growth, and role in the world.   

Findings of the survey from May-June 2011 can viewed at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/150077/Students-Entrepreneurial-Energy-Waiting-Tapped.aspx  

The Index is shaped and monitored through HOPE's Office of Innovation, Research and Assessment, which focuses on providing research and evaluation, analyses and consultation to promote continuous improvement of the entire portfolio of HOPE programs and services globally.

About Operation HOPE

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been America's leading financial literacy and empowerment nonprofit.  Through its four principle portfolios: Banking on Our Future, HOPE Coalition America, HOPE Financial Literacy Empowerment Centers, and HOPE Corps, the organization addresses youth and adult financial literacy, economic preparedness, bridges the digital divide and promotes home ownership and assists with foreclosure prevention. With the support of more than 400 private sector companies, 5000 nonprofit organizations and schools and government partners, HOPE has reached over 1.5 million low-wealth individuals in 70 U.S. cities and South Africa. The organization has raised more than $500 million and helped to restructure more than $360 million in sub-prime mortgages from the private sector, for more than a total of approximately $1 billion in economic activity for the disenfranchised. At the core of HOPE's mission is a Silver Rights Movement, ensuring that free enterprise and capitalism work to provide a better future for underserved communities around the world. To learn more about HOPE, visit our website at www.operationhope.org, www.twitter.com/operationhope, and www.facebook.com/operationhope.

SOURCE Operation HOPE