12.17.2003 ET

(CSRwire) Boston, Mass. - Jumpstart, the national early literacy organization, was recognized by Fast Company for being one of the top 20 social capitalists of 2004. The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Awards identify 20 organizations that use entrepreneurial genius to solve some of the world's most daunting social problems. Jumpstart, with 19 other inaugural award winners, was commended for using business savvy to change the world and will be featured in the January issue of Fast Company, on newsstands December 20.

The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Awards quantitatively measure a group's innovation and social impact, as well as the viability and sustainability of its business model, and are based on the following criteria: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Social Impact, Aspiration, and Sustainability. Jumpstart, commended for its vision to solve the national teaching shortage and help disadvantaged preschoolers at the same time, receives this award during a period of aggressive organizational expansion. This year, Jumpstart grew the number of children served by 33 percent and is working with 6,000 children across the country.

"Jumpstart is a perfect example of the type of organization we were looking for: non-profits that know how to marshal the right resources at the right moment in the right combination to make systemic change," said Cheryl Dahle, contributing writer for Fast Company. "Jumpstart is about more than just helping a group of preschoolers read; it's about reinventing the whole system so that early education support becomes the rule and not the exception. Jumpstart scored particularly well in the categories of sustainability and growth and aspiration. They have designed a brilliant business model that allows them to grow quickly and efficiently."

"We are delighted that such a thorough study of Jumpstart resulted in our receiving a Social Capitalist Award, and we are honored to be listed with 19 other high quality organizations," said Rob Waldron, president and CEO of Jumpstart. "Such recognition helps further our momentum as we continue to grow to serve more children and deliver measurable results."

About the Fast Company/Monitor 2004 Social Capitalist Awards

Fast Company, in partnership with the Monitor Group, the global consulting firm, chose the inaugural Social Capitalist Award winners from a pool of 80 organizations, nominated by a panel of prominent funders, academics, and other experts. Each participating organization submitted to a rigorous screening process requiring financial records, business plans, references, and online surveys. To learn more about the Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Awards, visit www.fastcompany.com/keyword/social78.

About Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national organization that engages young people in service to work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Jumpstart pairs a caring adult and a preschool child within the classroom setting in a personal one-to-one relationship to work together on reading, language, and social skills for one year. Through this relationship, Jumpstart prepares a child for success in school, encourages caring adults to be teachers and leaders in education, and strengthens a family's involvement in its child's educational development. Headquartered in Boston, Jumpstart currently engages 1,600 college students in service to 6,000 children and operates in 18 states, 44 communities, and 160 preschools. Jumpstart's national sponsors include American Eagle Outfitters, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, Pearson, and Starbucks. Jumpstart has been featured by the Boston Globe; CNN; New York Times; Newsweek, USA Today; and MTV. For more information, visit the Jumpstart Web site at www.jstart.org.

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