America's Promise Alliance is an American alliance of nonprofit, community organizations, businesses, and government organizations dedicated to improving the lives of young people.
The organization was founded on the idea that children and youth need "Five Promises" to thrive—caring adults, safe spaces, a healthy start, effective education, and the opportunity to serve—but that not nearly enough young people have access to these basic resources.
America's Promise works to raise awareness about the importance of these resources and inspire actions that help more children and youth receive them. The organization does this by leading national public awareness campaigns, conducting research, hosting events and convening summits, and partnering with hundreds of national, state, and community organizations that work directly with youth.Floyd, D. and Sauer, R.(n.d.), America’s Promise: A Catalyst for Youth Issues. University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, 2012
America’s Promise is currently led by CEO Mike O'Brien, having been founded and formerly chaired by retired Gen. Colin L. Powell and subsequently his wife, Alma Powell. O'Brien previously spent 17 years as the CEO of iMentor, a college success organization, and currently has roles in Blue Engine, BUILD, and NationSwell in addition to America's Promise.
History The Presidents' Summit for America's Future in 1997 – a national summit held in Philadelphia to promote a civic response to many of the country's problems, particularly the challenges facing at-risk youthCNN, Clinton kicks off volunteer summit, April 27, 1997 – led to the creation of America's Promise Alliance.
Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush convened the summit, and Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) served as the event's general chairman. Focusing specifically on helping the nation's young people, Gen. Powell agreed to lead a three-year campaign called America's Promise – The Alliance for Youth, which set out to improve the lives of 2 million of the nation's 15 million at-risk youth by 2000.CNN, Clinton kicks off volunteer summit, April 27, 1997Sun Sentinel, "Volunteer Recruitment Falls Short But Powell Effort Deserves Respect", May 3, 1998
In 2000, the target end-date of the campaign, General Powell determined that America's Promise should continue its work and continue to operate as a nonprofit organization. Ending the work now, he said, would be "kind of like saying we'll be out of Bosnia in a year."Education Week, After 3 Years, "America's Promise" Continues, April 26, 2000
Early in its history, America's Promise drew criticism for not being able to prove it had achieved its goals.New York Times, Charity Led by General Powell Comes Under Heavy Fire, Accused of Inflating Results, October 8, 1999 A later analysis from the National 4-H Council, the nation's largest youth development organization, agreed that while the organization's impact was difficult to document, “much of the increased focus on youth and positive youth development … can be attributed to the visibility, energy, and funding America's Promise brought to youth work.”Floyd, D. and Sauer, R. (n.d.), America’s Promise: A Catalyst for Youth Issues, University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy
In the years since, the work of America’s Promise has grown to encompass awareness building (see GradNation campaign below), academic research (see Center for Promise), cross-sector collaboration (see Alliance partners), and events that bring people together (see GradNation campaign).
Presidents' Summit for America's Future In July 1995, former Michigan Governor George Romney (and father of 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney) outlined his vision of "a summit at which all living presidents and leaders from all sectors of society would gather to support citizen service and show it was not a partisan issue."CNN, "Clinton kicks off volunteer summit," April 27, 1997Wofford, Harris, "Can National Service Become Integral to Our Culture?" Democracy Journal, Summer 2004. Only four days after completing this outline, Romney died of natural causes.
Before his death, however, Romney shared his vision of this bipartisan summit focused on volunteerism with former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, who had recently become CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service and Bob Goodwin, president of Bush's Points of Light Foundation. Wofford and Goodwin agreed to enlist their organizations in fulfilling Romney's plans for the summit, so Romney "died knowing that the summit would go forward."
In his 1997 State of the Union address, President Bill Clinton laid out the overarching theme and goal of the summit: "to mobilize America's citizen power in a united effort to solve our common problems, especially those that threaten our young people." Three months later, Presidents Clinton and George H. W. Bush officially co-convened the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia.Sun Sentinel, "Volunteer Recruitment Falls Short But Powell Effort Deserves Respect," May 3, 1998 Retired Gen. Colin Powell served as the chairman of the event,Baltimore Sun, A penny saved is good, but donating it is fine, too Finances: American Benefactor reports on a couple of failures, and New Age Journal discusses living within modest means, July 13, 1997 and four out of the five living presidents attended, with Nancy Reagan representing her husband Ronald Reagan.
More than 20 governors, nearly 100 mayors, 145 community delegations, and many prominent business leaders and celebrities also attended the summit.Philly.com, "The Focus Is On Youth Five Goals Are Designed To Rescue At-risk Children Stars Will Fall On Philly During Special Days" With the official slogan, "Two Million by 2000," the summit encouraged business, government, nonprofit, and community leaders across the country to work together to improve the lives of 2 million of the nation's 15 million at-risk youth by 2000.Powell, Stewart M., "Clinton, volunteers clean up inner city," San Francisco Chronicle, April 28, 1997
In 1998, Gen. Powell responded to criticism that the summit and ensuing America's Promise campaign were little more than symbolic gestures and reported that, as a result of the summit, among other things, Big Brothers and Big Sisters amassed a 22 percent increase in adults enlisting as mentors; Boys and Girls Clubs of America added 100,000 new members; the U.S Chamber of Commerce committed to helping 3 million young people find summer jobs; and the LensCrafters company gave 100,000 free eye exams to children from low-income families.Sun Sentinel, "Volunteer Recruitment Falls Short But Powell Effort Deserves Respect," May 3, 1998
Notable leaders Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) served as the founding chair of America’s Promise and remained board chair until 2001, when he stepped down to become U.S. Secretary of State. Former governor of Montana Marc Racicot took over as chair, followed by former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford in 2002.Youth Today, Racicot Out, Wofford In at America’s Promise, February 1, 2002 Starting in 1998, Robert M. Devlin served as a board member for over ten years.
Alma Powell, a respected audiologist and General Powell’s wife, became chair in 2004 and served until her death in 2024. She published two children’s books in 2003, America’s Promise and My Little Wagon.
In 2004, America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth changed its name to America’s Promise Alliance to place a greater emphasis on the strength of Alliance partners (see Alliance partners). "We see ourselves as a convener, a catalyst for action, and we help our partners and communities that focus on the measurable goals," said then-CEO Marguerite Kondracke.Points of Light Foundation, Points of Light Institute CEO and HandsOn Network Co-Founder Michelle Nunn Featured in The NonProfit Times article
Kondracke retired as president and CEO in 2012 and was replaced by John S. Gomperts, whose “association with America’s Promise began when he served as chief of staff to Harris Wofford, the CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service and one of the key conveners of the Summit for America’s Future.”AmericasPromise.org, America’s Promise Alliance announces appointment of John S. Gomperts as new president and CEO, March 8, 2012 Gomperts stepped down from the CEO role in 2020, being replaced by current CEO Mike O'Brien.
The board of directors includes notable members such as Miami Foundation President Javier Soto, former Teach For America and College Board strategist Steve Colón, Vice President of the Carnegie Corporation LaVerne Evans Srinivasan, and NCTA – The Internet and Television Association President, and General and Mrs. Powell’s son, Michael K. Powell. For a full list of board members, visit the America’s Promise Alliance website.
The America’s Promise board of directors also includes three full voting youth members. Youth members must be between the ages of 18 and 24 and agree to serve two-year terms, operating as "a critical and necessary component to [the America’s Promise] leadership teams," according to Mrs. Powell.AmericasPromise.org, Three New Youth Voices Join America’s Promise Alliance’s Leadership, October 5, 2016
The Five Promises The Presidents' Summit for America's Future, the 1997 event that launched America's Promise Alliance, included a Summit Declaration signed by Presidents Clinton, GHW Bush, Carter, Ford, and Nancy Reagan on behalf of her husband.USA Today, "Obama's day: America's Promise Summit Declaration," September 22, 2014
The Summit Declaration pledged to fulfill the "promise of America" for every child, which remains the core objective of America's Promise. Specifically, the declaration outlined five essential resources the presidents agreed all children need to develop into successful adults, referred to as the Five Promises, which form the basis of America's Promise efforts and initiatives. President Gerald Ford, General Colin Powell, Mrs. Nancy Reagan, and Vice President Al Gore
The Five Promises are: caring adults to guide and encourage them; safe places, both physical and psychological, in which students can safely develop; a healthy start in the form of proper nutrition and exercise; effective education that prepares them for work and life; and opportunities to help others and foster a sense of community, self-respect and service.CNN, "Text of Summit Declaration," April 28, 1997AmericasPromise.org, The Five Promises
In July 2001, President George W. Bush added his signature, and President Barack Obama signed the declaration in September 2014.USA Today, "Obama's day: America's Promise Summit Declaration," September 22, 2014
Alliance partners One of the greatest strengths of America's Promise Alliance, one organizational analysis noted, is its ability to coordinate the national response to youth development by collaborating with its many partners, who "provide the arms and legs with which to carry out the Five Promises."Floyd, D. and Sauer, R.(n.d.), America’s Promise: A Catalyst for Youth Issues. University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, 2012
America's Promise counts nearly 400 national partners in its multi-sector alliance. Corporate partners include Target Corporation and State Farm; foundation partners include Usher's New Look Foundation and the Ford Foundation; nonprofit partners include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the YMCA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; education partners include the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), ASCD, and the Education Commission of the States; faith-based partners include Catholic Charities USA and Faith Leaders for Community Change.
America's Promise Alliance has the full list of its partners available on its website.AmericasPromise.org America's Promise Alliance
GradNation Campaign