© 2025 Tilting Futures. All rights reserved.
OUR VISION
Dear Fellow Tilters,
Enclosed is our first-ever annual report, and what a milestone year it represents for Tilting Futures. Inside, you’ll see the incredible progress we’ve made: shattering application records, building a mounting evidence base of efficacy, launching recruitment for two new programs, and seeing unprecedented inbound partnership interest.
Here’s where we’re making moves in 2025:
A thriving future where communities work across differences to solve the world’s most complex challenges.
OUR MISSION
OUR VALUES
Yet today’s education system is struggling to keep pace with the world young people are inheriting. They are stepping into an era of rising polarization, environmental challenges, and the disruptive impact of AI on the workforce.
Education must evolve. At Tilting Futures, we know that learning doesn’t need to be confined to classrooms. By equipping young people with real-world skills, like creative problem-solving, cross-cultural communication, and empathy, we can unlock the solutions our world desperately needs.
In 2024, we saw incredible demand from students, higher education leaders, and industry partners for transformative learning that prepares young people for work, life, and the responsibilities of a thriving democracy.
Thanks to our donors, board members, staff, volunteers, and community partners, we’re building a powerful global coalition committed to ensuring every young person, no matter where they live, has access to the education needed to create a more adaptive and thriving world.
For 15 years, donors like you have been at the forefront of making globally immersive, hands-on learning a reality.
Demand for Take Action Lab has been unprecedented, with over 18,000 students in our application pipeline, reflecting a surging interest and growing need for real-world learning experiences.
Thanks to your generous support, we unveiled two new programs in 2024: Take Action Lab: Environment & Sustainability, and Take Action Lab Accelerator: Human Rights.
Our research and evaluation efforts are creating a solid evidence base for a completely new way of learning. Through randomized control trials, cohort studies, case control studies, and robust qualitative research, we are advancing an innovative educational model that blends hands-on learning, cultural immersion, and reflective practice to launch tomorrow’s world-changers.
With your support, we can continue our work to ensure that the impact of our programs is proven and measurable — building a new evidence base to demonstrate the impact of this innovative approach to global learning.
Each term, students in our Take Action Lab program participate in longitudinal cohort studies designed to help us understand how they are growing and changing throughout the course of the program.
Recently, UC Berkeley researchers analyzed this data and found that students grew, by a statistically significant margin, in the following areas:
2024 marked a major milestone for our organization: after years of successfully evolving our programs, it was time to evolve our brand to match.
In May 2024, we introduced
to the world. Designed with significant input from students, alumni and partners, our Tilting Futures brand embodies the scale of our ambitions: building a global movement to transform education.
2024 marked a major milestone for our organization: after years of successfully evolving our programs, it was time to evolve our brand to match.
In May 2024, we introduced
to the world. Designed with significant input from students, alumni and partners, our Tilting Futures brand embodies the scale of our ambitions: building a global movement to transform education.
At Tilting Futures, we believe that real-world learning fuels real-world impact. That’s why we’re partnering with the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI-U) to offer alumni spots in CGI-U’s 2025 cohort, gaining access to world-class education, global networks, and the opportunity to continue building real-world skills to drive social impact.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
STAFF
Written By:
Orly Lipset & Meghan Guidry
Design:
Fernando Martinez
Written By:
Orly Lipset & Meghan Guidry
Design:
Fernando Martinez
Equity and innovation in global education are the nexus at which so many of our most complex challenges converge: advancing environmental sustainability, preserving human rights, and ensuring every young person has the skills they need to thrive. As a proud donor to Tilting Futures, I know my investment directly addresses these challenges, working towards an educational system that promotes equity and empowers young people to address critical issues with compassion for our global community.”
EVERY STUDENT, EVERYWHERE, DESERVES
THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE
AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CLAMORING FOR
THIS EXACT KIND OF LEARNING
of Gen Z says real-world learning, like internships and apprenticeships, should be part of their education.
of U.S. workers will need a degree or high-quality credential to meet labor market demands by 2031, but today, only 54.3% have one.
Colleges and universities are under pressure to expand access and adapt to rapidly changing workforce needs, all while navigating significant financial challenges.
TOGETHER, WE’VE BUILT MOMENTUM - AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Our work is fueled by a two-pronged strategy driving direct impact and systems change in higher education.
Our direct service work allows us to reach young people today and surfaces best practices that can be embedded in higher education. Integrating these learnings into higher education creates new access points for young people — scaling impact far beyond the students we support directly.
In 2024, we saw advances in both our direct service and systems change work. These wins have set the stage to increase the number of students we serve annually and further integrate global learning into higher education in 2025.
Tilting Futures is redefining global education. Our Take Action Labs blend hands-on experiential learning and global apprenticeships with a one-of-a-kind curriculum that successfully teaches students the foundational skills of self-discovery and global orientation.
Through this, we’re equipping young people with the in-demand real-world skills they need to create lifelong impact.
OUR PROGRAM
LAUNCHING HUMAN-CENTERED TECHNOLOGY LEADERS
At a moment when technology is rapidly reshaping our world, Take Action Lab gave alum Luiz Gustavo the experience and perspective needed to leverage tech for social impact.
Take Action Lab made me feel like I could achieve more than I ever imagined. Thanks to my experience at Tilting Futures, I know I will be a force for good no matter where I go.”
Luiz Gustavo
Brazil | South Africa ‘24
These efforts will help us serve more students than ever before, 2.5x more next year alone, on our path to a 5x increase over the next five years.
There is no better education than immersion. No amount of classroom time can replace the lived experience of being part of a community working together to create new opportunities and prosperity.
That’s why I am a proud donor to Tilting Futures.”
MAKING MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS GLOBALLY ACCESSIBLE
A rising star in biomedical research and public health, Rutendo Kahari’s Take Action Lab experience inspired her to move beyond the lab and into a career path that blends public health and education.
Tilting Futures made me realize just how deeply connected we all are. Now, I’m ready to be the kind of doctor who spends her career making sure we share medical breakthroughs with everyone.”
Rutendo Kahari
Zimbabwe | South Africa ‘23
Tilting Futures is setting the standard for data-driven and evidence-based innovation in global education.
NEW INSIGHTS INTO
LONG-TERM PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Their findings revealed that our alumni gain the essential skills, mindsets, and cultural competencies, such as empathy, global orientation, and cross-cultural collaboration, to thrive in an interconnected global workforce and drive cross-sector change. Our alumni outperformed their matched peers in having:
UC Berkeley researchers also independently conducted the first-ever control-group analysis of our program outcomes.
We found that program participation is associated with increased self-awareness, a stronger sense of interconnectedness, reduced prejudicial attitudes, and a greater motivation to pursue careers in the social enterprise sectors. These findings offer encouraging signs of how Tilting Futures may be shaping its students into global citizens."
Judith E. Gruber Associate Professor | The Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science | University of California, Berkeley
ENSURING EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION
From volunteering in Greece with displaced children to her current role as a Volunteers in Asia (VIA) Global Community Fellow, Tilting Futures alumna Alex Dingle’s program experience inspired her to dedicate her career to ensuring every student can receive a world-class education.
Tilting Futures inspired me to dedicate myself to making sure students everywhere have the opportunity to grow to their full potential.”
Alex Dingle
USA | India ‘19
At Tilting Futures, we believe that service is not just an act, it’s a way of life. Young people are seeking meaning, purpose, and the chance to contribute to something greater than themselves. That’s why we’re forging bold new partnerships with organizations like the Peace Corps Circle of Service, the Bonner Foundation, and Clinton Global Initiative University to expand the pathways for our alumni to lead, serve, and create lasting impact.
This is our moment. This is our movement, and we’re just getting started.
PEACE CORPS & CIRCLE OF SERVICE
To turn vision into action, partnerships are essential. That’s why, in October 2024, the Peace Corps launched the Circle of Service, a groundbreaking initiative that expands access to service opportunities for young people.
As a proud partner, Tilting Futures joins City Year, Public Allies, and Teach for America in this effort providing our alumni with an accelerated pathway into the Peace Corps so they can continue their commitment to global service.
This partnership underscores the transformative power of service-based learning. Working across our organizations, student communities and alumni networks will lay the foundation for a true global service exchange.”
Through this strategic partnership, we’re building something bigger than any single organization could achieve alone, a future that unites our strengths to offer volunteers meaningful opportunities to contribute to sustainable progress.”
By joining forces, we are ensuring that service isn’t just a single chapter in a young person’s journey, it’s a lifelong calling.
DO IT SCARED, BUT DO IT ANYWAY: FROM TILTING FUTURES TO THE PEACE CORPS
For Tilting Futures alumna Dena Muething, the lessons learned in Ecuador during her Fellowship became the foundation for her Peace Corps service.
The transition into the Peace Corps would have been much tougher for me without the skills I learned in Tilting Futures: leading with curiosity, leadership skills, being comfortable in uncertainty, and truly being part of a community.”
Dena Meuthing
USA | Ecuador ‘19
CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE UNIVERSITY
Providing young people with clear pathways to continue building their skills and global networks is a critical step towards preparing them for a lifetime of impact in every endeavor. Our partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative University is vital to launching these young changemakers and giving them the networks they need to collaborate globally.”
Having supported over 12,500 students from more than 160 countries, we know firsthand that equipping young people with a truly global perspective and a clear sense of purpose, as Tilting Futures does, is a critical first step in helping tomorrow’s leaders build the foundation for lifelong impact.”
Now, as we look ahead, that clarity of purpose is helping us to engage a growing network of students, alumni, partners, and funders in new and meaningful ways.
TILTING FUTURES IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Achieving our ambitious goals involves inviting others to join us in reimagining what education can be.
Tilting Futures has been prominently featured in articles, research publications, and podcasts, expanding our reach and activating a groundswell of support for our vision.
Milken Institute Highlights Tilting Futures in ‘Pathways to Prosperity’ Report on Postsecondary & Workforce Innovation.
Real-world skills are essential for building an adaptable workforce, and investing in these skills yields a
250% ROI
The challenge? Developing these skills requires immersive, experiential learning opportunities that bridge education and the workforce. That’s why The Milken Institute developed Pathways to Prosperity: Bridging Postsecondary Education and the Workforce, a report outlining five key opportunities for philanthropic investment to close the skills gap between college and careers.
In this report, Tilting Futures’ program model was recognized as a solution, providing young people with the skills they need to remain competitive in the future economy.
Employers might hire for subject matter expertise or technical know-how, but they fire for lack of communication, inability to navigate and lead through complex problems, or critical thinking. To build tomorrow’s workforce, philanthropy plays a crucial role in investing in the timeless, transferable skills that really matter.”
TILTING FUTURES ALSO FEATURED IN
BEGINNING HIS JOURNEY
Jiayuan Tian always viewed education as a pathway to empowerment. Seeking a deeper intercultural connection to expand his worldview and supplement his university education, Jiayuan joined Tilting Futures’ Global Citizen Year Academy.
CREATING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Thanks to a generous Tilting Futures donor, Jiayuan received an Enlight Foundation Scholarship to attend the Academy. “My Tilting Futures experience reshaped how I see the world. I met young people who were from places so different from where I grew up, but who shared the same passion for creating change.”
PATHWAY TO GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Motivated by his newfound perspective, Jiayuan founded the Tilting Futures Chinese Media Center, a resource hub that connects young people to global learning programs to support intercultural exchange and inspire students on their educational journeys. He later co-founded OneXplore, a social enterprise advancing international education and fostering cross-cultural exchanges among youth from diverse backgrounds.
Today, as he prepares to graduate from college, Jiayuan’s efforts are being recognized on the global stage.
Tilting Futures nominated him for the Diana Award — a prestigious award given to young changemakers in honor of the late Princess Diana of Wales. Jiayuan was the only nominee from Mainland China selected for this award, and participated in the award ceremony in December 2024.
This award isn’t just for me; it’s a celebration of the youth who have joined me in creating change. Though that journey has just begun, I know by working together we can empower the next generation to dream big, act boldly, and build a better world.”
ANSWERING THE CALL FOR MORE ACCESS
“If only you had a summer option!”, is one of the most common requests our recruitment team hears. Now, we do. Applications for our new June Accelerator program in South Africa are pouring in, and to meet demand, we’re exploring a second site in Malaysia for 2026.
We’re also hearing growing interest in an All-Girls track to equip young women, still underrepresented in STEM, with the skills and networks to lead. As we explore this idea, we’re actively gathering input from students and partners.
Research results continue to exceed expectations, showing statistically significant gains in student learning, even as study rigor increases.
In 2025, we’ll launch our first randomized control trial, a major step in proving impact at the highest standard. This progress is made possible by our incredible applicants and the support of funders committed to building the strongest possible evidence base, the foundation for our systems change work.
The initial response from higher education demonstrates the growing appetite for integrating Take Action Lab into degree pathways, with the Bonner Foundation, Morehouse College, Rhodes College, and the University of Oregon Honors College already on board as partners.
We’re progressing rapidly with two leading institutions as first-movers in offering Take Action Lab for credit. At the same time, we’re developing a playbook for additional universities eager to integrate our program into their degree pathways, providing a scalable model to accelerate adoption.
PROVING OUR IMPACT, RAISING THE BAR
MAKING REAL-WORLD LEARNING COUNT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
YOUR ROLE IN WHAT COMES NEXT
Together, we are tilting the future of learning.
With over , Tilting Futures is at the heart of a global movement aimed at reimagining the power and promise of education. From colleges and universities to community-based nonprofits, here are just a few of the collaborators who help make this movement possible.
HIGHER ED PARTNERS
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Tilting Futures is powered by a growing network of mission-driven organizations—local, national, and global—committed to broadening perspectives, expanding services, and driving social change.
Our global team of dedicated staff and board members work together to drive impact. Thank you for your invaluable efforts in making immersive global education an accessible reality for young people globally.
We believe in building a human-centered workplace culture that genuinely supports our team.
When we prioritize our people, we see a significant impact on morale, retention, and our ability to bring Tilting Futures’ ambitious vision to life."
In FY2024, Tilting Futures maintained a strong financial position, with total assets of $11,184,473 and net assets of $10,829,246, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we secured essential funding to support programs that empower young changemakers globally. Our strategic investments in programmatic expansion, impact measurement, and a path to accreditation have positioned us for continued growth, allowing us to expand immersive, real-world learning experiences in the year ahead.
As of June 30, 2024
Assets 2024
Liabilities and
Net Assets 2024
CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS
1 Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Survey Shows Gen Z’s Unique Perspective on Higher Ed. January 2024.
3 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. The Future of Work & Learning: Meeting Labor Market Demands by 2031. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University CEW, 2023
4 MIT Sloan School of Management. Soft Skills Training Brings Substantial Returns on Investment.
Sources
As the proud parent of a Tilting Futures alum, I know firsthand how transformative this experience can be. Watching a young person bravely step into the unknown with humility and curiosity, and return with newfound purpose and a clear sense of the role they want to play in the world is nothing short of magical.”
In an age when our instinct is to solve every problem with technology, we forget about the power of lived experience. Tilting Futures does just that: provides transformative, immersive educational experiences that prepare young people to lead with empathy, curiosity, and global perspectives as they work together to solve the biggest challenges of our time.”
I hope that as you read through this report, you see your fingerprints across our accomplishments and our plans. This work is only possible because of supporters like you: funders, partners, and advocates who push us to think bigger and bolder about what is possible for young people and education.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
–African Proverb
The following generous supporters have been instrumental in fueling our mission and impact. This list reflects contributions and pledges made from 7/1/2023 through the publication of this report.
We are deeply grateful for their help in driving our work forward.
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