2018 Cohort
Four organizations received funding and support services in our inaugural year of operation. In their own words, here is the impact these organizations made in 2018.
In 2018, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) provided legal assistance and support to over 3,000 asylum seekers in over 40 states.
In 2018, the Digital Harbor Foundation provided technology and career-readiness education to 1,250 Baltimore youth and trained 241 educators around the country to incorporate technology education into their curriculum, with an indirect impact on 38,505 youth.
In 2018, Trans Student Educational Resources reached millions of new people while doubling our budget and presenting our work at over a dozen LGBTQ conferences to hundreds of transgender people.
In 2018, the West Virginia Alternative Wastewater Coalition identified and analyzed 6 new alternative wastewater treatment systems with potential to improve health and environmental outcomes and presented findings to 3 public service districts and 2 state agencies.
AsyLum Seeker Advocacy Project
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is the first legal nonprofit to assist refugee families across the U.S.A. remotely through an online community and via emergency legal aid. Over 2,000 refugee mothers participate in the online community, which offers how-to videos, answers to urgent questions, crowdsourcing, and encouragement. ASAP has prevented over 350 deportations in the 2-year history, and they’re poised for growth. They will use Greater Sum funding to increase their staff capacity to train and supervise volunteers.
Digital Harbor
Digital Harbor operates a youth makerspace that has been very successful in teaching students the skills they’ll need to secure tech jobs. Their makerspace also serves as a research & development lab for how to teach tech skills to youth. They applied to Greater Sum for funding to expand their Rec 2 Tech program, which trains other educators in how to use their proven methods.
WVU Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic
The West Virginia University (WVU) Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic works with over 50 local government clients, providing pro- bono legal and planning services. Communities across West Virginia still use straight pipe sewage, which sends raw sewage into streams and rivers. The WVU Law Clinic will use Greater Sum funding to conduct a planning study, demonstrating that local districts can manage an innovative, affordable alternative wastewater treatment.
Trans Student Educational Resources
Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) is the only national organization operated by trans youth and focused on trans students. They recently hired their first employees, but have mobilized a team of 50 volunteers nationwide who have reached millions with online resources, educated thousands through their workshops, and have established relationships with hundreds of college communities. They will use Greater Sum funding to expand their Trans Student Leadership Summit, increase the number of colleges receiving their educational resources, and bring on additional part-time employees.
