The giving Back Awards: 15 People Who Make America Great

On its 100th birthday, this group stays relevant by caring for new groups of poor kids.

Two words: changing lives. That's the essential mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which celebrates its centennial this year. The vast majority of youngsters served by the organization's 3,935 clubs come from disadvantaged communities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. "We want to enable them to become all they are capable of being: productive, responsible, caring citizens," says President Roxanne Spillett. She presides over a federation of local clubs, with national headquarters in Atlanta providing programming, marketing and operating standards. While many old-line charities have been suffering in the age of entrepreneurial philanthropy, Boys & Girls Clubs pushes forward by moving into new areas like public housing (where there are now 432 clubs), Native American communities (157 clubs) and military bases in the United States and Europe (432 clubs). "They reach young people everywhere," says Frances Hesselbein of the Leader to Leader Institute, a former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "They're one of the most outstanding and successful social-sector organizations in the country."

—Barbara Kantrowitz

10 - Corporate Giant

Target
Minneapolis

When it comes to giving time, talent and cash, this stylish retailer hits the bull's-eye.