The America’s Promise Alliance grew out of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997. At that gathering in Philadelphia, Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter and Ford (with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan), challenged America to make children and youth a national priority.
The Summit — which was also attended by nearly 30 governors, 100 mayors, 145 community delegations, and prominent business leaders — was sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service and United Way of America. These organizations were among the Founding Partners of the America’s Promise Alliance. Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell became America's Promise's Founding Chairman. Today, Alma Powell serves as Chair of America's Promise.
Read the original Summit Declaration signed by the living presidents.
Since 1997, the America’s Promise Alliance has grown to become the nation’s largest multi-sector Alliance focused on the well-being of young people. Today, America's Promise encompasses more than 400 partner organizations representing the business community, nonprofits, communities and policymakers.
When Hurricane Katrina displaced millions from their homes in 2005, America's Promise launched Katrina’s Kids — an initiative that united local public and nonprofit sectors along with elected officials to ensure disadvantaged young people displaced by natural disasters receive the resources they need including the Five Promises.
Also in 2005, America's Promise launched the 100 Best Communities for Young People competition.
In 2006, America's Promise launched First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy organization committed to making children and their families a priority.
In 2007, America's Promise celebrated its 10th Anniversary, including an event attended by Presidents Bush and Clinton. To learn more about how that milestone was recognized, please visit the 10th Anniversary site.
To raise awareness and energize coordinated action, America's Promise launched a nationwide Dropout Prevention Campaign in 2008. The campaign generated more than 300 million media impressions. As part of the campaign, America's Promise convened dropout prevention summits in all 50 states and 55 key cities.
In 2009, America's Promise began formally recognizing Promises Places where young people can experience all Five Promises under one roof.
In 2010, President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined Gen. and Mrs. Powell in announcing the America's Promise Grad Nation Campaign — the largest undertaking in America's Promise history — to mobilize Americans to end the dropout crisis.