The HOPE Program (HOPE) has been awarded the first-ever David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship bestowed by The Macquarie Group Foundation in the United States, the organizations announced today. Valued at $20,000, the Fellowship encourages CEOs/Executive Directors of not-for-profit organizations to visit and research best-practice social innovation around the world.

Through the David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship, HOPE will research innovative and successful global social enterprises focused on environmental workforce development, which strongly aligns with HOPE’s current mission and future plans here in New York City. Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director of HOPE, who has been involved in the workforce development field for more than 15 years, will be representing the organization.

“The David Clarke Fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the world and figure out how best practices abroad can impact HOPE, the people we serve and the greater New York City community. I am so thrilled and I look forward to sharing my learning when I return,” says Mitchell, who holds an MPA in Social Welfare Policy from Columbia University and a BA in Sociology and Environmental Policy from SUNY Binghamton.

Michael McLaughlin, US Country Head for Macquarie, said, “On behalf of the Macquarie Group Foundation, I’d like to congratulate Fellowship winner Jennifer Mitchell of HOPE and commend her for her long-standing commitment to delivering innovative programming to address poverty in New York City. We look forward to hearing about her research upon her return.”

The Macquarie Group Foundation established the Fellowship in 2012 as a tribute to its former chairman, the late David Clarke, AO, who was one of the pioneers of corporate philanthropy in Australia. The Macquarie David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship builds on Macquarie Group Foundation’s long-standing commitment to social innovation.

For more information on HOPE’s plans for the fellowship, please visit www.thehopeprogram.org.

About The HOPE Program

Headquartered in Brooklyn and serving New Yorkers in all five boroughs, The HOPE Program is a highly effective and award-winning workforce development organization that helps unemployed New Yorkers lift themselves out of poverty through training, jobs, and career advancement support. HOPE provides training in literacy, math, computer skills, workplace communications, stress management, customer service and other essential skills for job development.

About Macquarie and The Macquarie David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship

The Macquarie Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Macquarie Group, is one of Australia’s largest corporate benefactors. In the year to 31 March 2014, the Macquarie Group Foundation, together with Macquarie Group staff efforts, contributed $A24.7 million and thousands of volunteering and pro bono days to over 1,500 community organizations around the world. Since the Foundation was established in 1985, it and Macquarie staff have contributed more than $A215 million globally.

This is the first time that the Macquarie David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship will be offered outside of Australia. The judging panel was comprised of Macquarie Group executives as well as an independent external representative. The members were: Robert Acton, Executive Director, Taproot Foundation; Board Member, Non Profit Coordinating Committee of New York; Chris Green, Executive Director, Macquarie Group; Board Member, Macquarie Group Foundation; Kathleen Hahn, Chief Financial Officer, Americas, Macquarie Group; Jamie Marley, Division Director, Macquarie Group; Board Member, The Children’s Village; Michael McLaughlin, US Country Head, Macquarie Group; Board Member, Macquarie Group Foundation.