2015 In Review

IAPW 2015 in Review
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In 2015…we grew

We formed new partnerships, reached new countries & communities and we celebrated 10 years of dedicated service. Our team grew stronger as we welcomed Diana Villarreal, our new Director of Development and promoted former youth ambassador, Kelsy Dominick, to our Advisory Board. 

Kelsy Dominick, Diana Villarreal, Christine Onesky, Manuela Testolini, Michelle Vink & Norman Bailey

WE EXPANDED

We funded 6 new schools in 6 different countries, including 2 new schools in Nepal and Burkina Faso, bringing our total number of schools funded to 19 worldwide.

We empowered through the arts

This year we continued our support for Free Arts Minnesota’s weekly mentoring program for the 5th straight year, bringing the healing powers of relationships and artistic expression to homeless and runaway youth.

WE INVESTED IN THE FUTURE

2015 brought about several new partnerships. We cleared the path to college with Capital Partners for Education and built confidence and community with Project Hope International and the Cowtown Outlaws.

we lent a hand

We continued our support of the afterschool reading program at the Grantsburg Public Library in Grantsburg, WI and funded the construction of the In a Perfect World library at Horton’s Kids in Washington, DC, allowing us to reach and empower more of our youth.

We were honored

We achieved Top NonProfit status with Great NonProfits & were awarded the GuideStar Gold Seal for transparency. The Gold Level is GuideStar’s highest level attainable, and is awarded to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability. This year, 2,106 nonprofits received Gold Level recognition, out of more than 1.8 million nonprofits in the United States.

We got our hands dirty

Our Founder, Manuela Testolini, her husband, Eric Benet & the IAPW team traveled to Haiti to visit our schools there and to participate in the installation of solar panels on our school in the village of Marc. Check out our adventure here!

we celebrated!

In December, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of In a Perfect World surrounded by friends, family & supporters. In 10 years, we’ve gone from arts festivals for kids in foster care to funding schools around the world. 2015 was our biggest year yet! Thank to every one of you who helped to make it possible.