PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) today announced that it is strengthening its commitment to youth education through a strategic relationship with MIND Research Institute, a neuroscience and education non-profit that creates cutting-edge math and science education programs. The collaboration builds upon the firm's commitment to educating future leaders and developing a more educated workforce that can better compete both nationally and globally.

PwC also announced its support for the Girl Scouts of the USA Center for Leadership and Innovation, which helps further equip girls with the courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place.

"Our commitment to youth education is grounded in the recognition that education is the first step towards securing a healthy future for the economy and developing future leaders for the marketplace at large," said Shannon Schuyler, corporate responsibility leader for the Americas for PricewaterhouseCoopers. "We are thrilled to support MIND Research Institute and Girl Scouts of the USA in their innovative approaches to help youth become financially literate and strong citizens who can have a sustainable impact on communities."

A key element of PwC's partnership with MIND Research Institute includes supporting its unique approach to math education that engages learners' visual reasoning abilities in order to understand and solve multi-step problems. PwC will provide both financial contributions and employee volunteers to improve students' math comprehension and enhance their financial literacy.

"We are confident that PwC's support will greatly enhance our ability to serve more schools and students nationwide and improve math proficiency," said Andrew Coulson, president of the education division at MIND Research Institute.

PwC's partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA will consist of supporting the organization's mission to build girls' character and skills as well as educating girls on businesses' role in sustainability, beginning with an interactive exhibit in Chicago that enhances experiential learning by embracing real life scenarios and teaching girls valuable lessons for the future.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers' commitment to leadership development and youth education closely aligns with our values," said Maria Wynne, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. "We look forward to leveraging our partnership to further empower girls across the country."

As part of the firm's commitment to youth education, PwC has also developed an innovative educational outreach program for talented African-American high school students called Impact. Impact helps participants navigate the college planning and application process through monthly workshops, dedicated professional mentors and access to tools and strategies that will broaden their education and career choices.

Currently running in four U.S. cities -- New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Boston -- Impact is expanding to Charlotte, N.C. and Atlanta, G.A. Graduates of the program have averaged nearly $30,000 in grants and scholarships to colleges and universities across the country.

In FY'09, PwC donated approximately $7.4 million to causes related to strengthening youth education. The firm's contributions to youth education also extend beyond the borders of the United States. PwC member firms and their employees around the world have contributed more than $4 million to the assistance efforts in Darfur, helping to build schools for children and provide them with books, uniforms and well-trained teachers. In addition, through the firm's "Project Virtual Belize" program, summer interns connected and corresponded with approximately 2,000 students in inner-city Belize while also collecting and donating over 30,000 individual school supplies.

For more information about the PwC's corporate responsibility commitment, visit:
http://www.pwc.com/us/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility/index.jhtml

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PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

© 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers

PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. See pwc.com for more information.

© 2011 PwC. All rights reserved. "PwC" and "PwC US" refer to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

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