ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge Nominated for Social Innovation Award

The ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge, a cutting-edge nationwide program that gives girls practical, hands-on investing experience while allowing them to keep gains in the form of college scholarships, is nominated for The Financial Times-Justmeans Social Innovation Award for Most Strategic Philanthropy Program.  The annual awards present a forum for organizations to highlight their latest concepts and practical applications to advance social needs and better business.
 
Girls Inc. partner, ING, and the initiative are also eligible for the Citizens Choice Award, which is selected by a public voting process. Awards will be presented at a gala dinner in New York City on March 24.
 
The nomination comes at a time when the initiative is thriving as participating teams prepare to enter the second phase of investing with research into individual equities. Plans are also set for the challenge to expand in 2010 to Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta and Girls Inc. of Holyoke, Massachusetts. The ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge launched in 2009 with teams from Girls Inc. of Alameda County, California, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, Girls Inc. of Greater Los Angeles, and Girls Inc. of New York City. 
 
 "ING and the ING Foundation are worthy of this nomination," said Joyce M. Roché, President and CEO of Girls Inc. "They have recognized and responded to the critical need girls have to learn real money management skills in a hands-on way. We are honored to include them as exceptional partners in our work empowering girls to prepare for economic independence."
 
To learn more about the awards and cast your vote for the Citizens Choice Award:

1.    Go to the site: http://www.socialinnovationawards.com/  you must register first (name, e-mail and a password).
2.    Click “innovators” button at the top of the page
3.    On the left side of the page click “Philanthropy”
4.    Scroll down until you see “IC” (under ING)
5.    Click “Read More”
6.    On the right hand of the page you should see the current number of votes.  There is a Vote button below this box