Frequently Asked Questions
The following list of frequently asked questions was developed prior to the 2008 competition. A new FAQ will be posted prior to the next competition, but these questions and answers will help you learn more about the program.
The 100 Best Competition
The 100 Best Selection Process
America’s Promise Alliance and the Five Promises
Need Help?
The 100 Best Competition
What are the goals of the 100 Best?
- Recognize local communities for the innovative and successful work they do to help young people succeed
- Help communities share ideas and learn from each other
- Build community support that fosters long-term success of local initiatives
- Establish a vision for what all communities in America can and should be doing to support and nurture their young people
What kind of response did the America’s Promise Alliance receive for the last contest?
In 2007, hundreds of communities representing all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, applied for the award, representing a broad cross-section of communities — urban, rural, inner-city, suburban, large and small — from every region of the country. We anticipate an even larger number of communities applying in the 2008 contest.
What do the 100 Best winners receive?
- Eligibility to participate in an request for proposal to award $300,000 in grant funding
- National, regional and local media exposure
- Opportunities to participate in national and regional 100 Best forums to share ideas and best practices
- Tools to locally promote the award, including special 100 Best seals and commemorative book for each winning community; guidance on developing celebrations; local media outreach assistance; and promotion through America’s Promise Alliance and Alliance partner web sites and publications
Do the America’s Promise Alliance partners have a role in the 100 Best competition?
Partners in the Alliance, including United Way of America, YMCA of the USA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, MENTOR, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America, Communities In Schools, Search Institute, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Points of Light Foundation, among others, have participated in the full development of the 100 Best competition. Representatives from Alliance partners helped create the application, will promote the competition to their local affiliates, and serve on the Selection Panel. Local partner affiliates also help complete applications at the community level.
What roles do corporate sponsors play during the competition?
In 2005, the America’s Promise Alliance launched the 100 Best campaign in partnership with Capital One, who continues to be our Presenting Sponsor. Many additional sponsorship opportunities for the 100 Best competition are available. Become a sponsor.
The 100 Best Selection Process
How are the 100 Best Communities for Young People selected?
Communities must complete an online application, which will be verified for accuracy by the America’s Promise Alliance and reviewed by a panel of civic, business and nonprofit leaders. This panel will choose the final list of 100 Best Communities for Young People.
Members of the panel include:
Jose Arteaga: Board of Trustees, Circle K International
Rui Bao: America’s Promise Alliance Trustee, Youth Partnership Team
Carolyn Berkowitz: Vice President, Community Affairs, Capital One Financial
Hannah Bilodeau: Executive Board Member, National Association of Student Councils
Hal Cato: President and CEO, Oasis Center
Carol Coletta: President and CEO, CEOs for Cities
Thomas Donohue: President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Brian Gallagher: President and CEO, United Way of America's Promise
Stephen Goldsmith: Partner, Knowledge Universe; Chairman, Corporation for National and Community Service
Daniel Paul: Professor of Government and Director of The Innovations in American Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government
Marilyn Duffy Grande: Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary, The Goldman Sachs Foundation
Dr. Paul Houston: Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators
Christine James-Brown: President and CEO, Child Welfare League of America
Patricia Kempthorne: Former First Lady, Idaho; Founder and Executive Director, The Twiga Foundation
Gayle Manchin: First Lady, West Virginia
Dr. Suzanne Morse: Executive Director, Pew Partnership for Civic Change
Larry Naake: Executive Director, National Association of Counties
Michael Piraino: CEO, National CASA
Alma Powell: Chair, America’s Promise Alliance
Robert Rogers: Chairman Emeritus, Ewing Kauffman Foundation
Rick Stephens: Senior, Vice President, The Boeing Company
Wellington Webb: President, Webb Group International; former Mayor of Denver
How do communities apply?
The 2008 application will be available online beginning on Aug.1, 2007. A paper version (PDF) of the application can be downloaded here beginning in June 2007.
A “community” is defined as any town, city, or local jurisdiction within the United States or U.S. territories, including Native American reservations, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Local jurisdictions include legally defined geographic areas of counties, boroughs, school districts and other locally recognized boundaries. Civic and business leaders, community activists and elected representatives, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations can all be involved in the application process.
There is a data requirement to the application and the Alliance asks that the community applying for the honor have two relevant data sources available.
What do the judges look for in the 100 Best Communities for Young People?
The America’s Promise Alliance believes that more wrap-around supports (what the Alliance calls the Five Promises) are needed for young to be successful.
The judges look for positive, innovative best practices which demonstrate that communities provide and deliver the Five Promises. Winning communities must show:
- Delivery of the Five Promises
- Cross-sector collaboration in the delivery of services
- Expansion and taking good practices to scale
- Progress in addressing specific problems and challenges
How was the selection criteria developed?
Leading researchers and practitioners in the youth development field, including representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, United Way of America, Search Institute, Child Trends, the Forum of Youth Investment, the Corporation for National and Community Service and other partners in the Alliance, developed criteria for selecting the 100 Best Communities. These criteria include both objective measures and subjective assessments centering on the innovativeness of local initiatives and their positive effect on young people.
Do young people play any role in the decision-making process?
Input from young people who serve on the selection committee is extremely important. The president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, as well as one of the college students on the America’s Promise Alliance Board of Directors, serves on the selection panel. Testimonials from young people are also a required part in the community’s application. Young people can learn how to urge their local officials and community groups to participate.
How can I get more information about the 100 Best communities’ competition?
For tips, additional information or answers to questions about the 100 Best competition, please contact the support team via e-mail at 100BestHelp@americaspromise.org.
America’s Promise Alliance and the Five Promises
What are the Five Promises developed? Have they been proven to work?
The Five Promises are the fundamental resources and wrap-around supports every young person in America needs to succeed and thrive.
Research shows that when communities come together and keep the Five Promises, young people do better in school, are more likely to pursue higher education, and enjoy better relationships with their peers and families. They are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, and are five to 10 times more likely to become productive citizens in their communities.
What is the America’s Promise Alliance?
America’s Promise is a broad-based Alliance whose members work together to ensure that all young people can realize their full potential. The Alliance includes nonprofit, corporate and community groups as well as individuals across the nation. Alliance partners focus attention and resources to help every child receive the Five Promises essential to success: caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others.
America's Promise grew out of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997, where Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton and Ford, with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan, challenged the country to make children and youth a national priority. President George W. Bush affirmed his commitment in 2001.
Retired General Colin L. Powell founded America’s Promise. Alma Powell currently serves as chair, and Marguerite W. Kondracke serves as president and chief executive officer. Founding Alliance partners include the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Points of Light Foundation, United Way of America, Communities In Schools, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.