Horatio Alger Association Announces New Partnership with America's Promise Alliance

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, and America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, today announced a new strategic partnership. Through shared resources and the co-promotion of student programming, these organizations will support each other to provide America's young people with the resources they need to lead successful lives.

Horatio Alger Association Strategic Partners are a select group of companies and organizations that share the Association's mission and are dedicated to supporting young people who have demonstrated financial need, overcome adversity, and are committed to making a contribution to society. America's Promise joins the Association in pursuit of advancing its mission through promotion of individual excellence, good citizenship and perseverance through adversity. As a strategic partner, America's Promise will work to promote the Association's scholarship programs and resources to the student populations it serves. Additionally, America's Promise will have access to a network of over 7,000 Horatio Alger Association Alumni Scholars nationwide, who may serve as volunteers for the organization, as well as a number of special events hosted by the Association.

"America's Promise shares the Horatio Alger Association's vision to help young men and women pursue and achieve their dreams of higher education," said Byron Trott, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association and 2011 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "This new partnership is an effort on behalf of both organizations to ensure we meet that goal. The Association is proud to partner with America's Promise and we look forward to making a difference in the lives of many young people together."

General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and current Horatio Alger Member, is the founding chair of America's Promise, which was launched in 1997 with a mission built on the belief that every child should experience Five Promises in their lives – caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve. With nearly 20 percent of U.S. high school students not graduating on time, the GradNation campaign, America's Promise's signature effort, works to raise graduation rates to 90 percent by 2020 and increase post-secondary enrollment and completion.

"Creating stronger communities where youth feel supported and encouraged is essential to America's future strength and vitality," said John Gomperts, president and CEO of America's Promise. "By coming together in common purpose, we demonstrate our commitment and the fact that we all have a role to play in the success of our children and youth, and we are infinitely more powerful as a united force. We're thrilled that Horatio Alger Association has joined this movement."

Through its robust scholarship programs, Horatio Alger Association supports high school students of exceptional character who demonstrate a commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities, despite facing great adversity. Since 1984, more than 22,000 students, from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have received more than $110 million in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

For more information about America's Promise Alliance, please visit www.AmericasPromise.org.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, the Association awards more than $11 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $110 million in college scholarships to more than 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About America's Promise Alliance:
America's Promise Alliance leads the nation's largest network of national organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. GradNation, the organization's signature campaign, mobilizes Americans to increase the on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020 and prepare young people for postsecondary enrollment and the workforce. For more information, visit www.AmericasPromise.org.

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.horatioalger.org