LIFE SKILLS: Here's a smart way to serve a social need and not go broke in the process. EverFi--started three and a half years ago to address “unfunded mandates” like financial and digital literacy, alcohol awareness, and digital citizenship--has what it calls a "public/private partnership," delivering its products for free to public schools, branded--and paid for--by companies. For instance, banks and their affiliated foundations can underwrite games about financial literacy, and nonprofit organizations (like the Boys and Girls Clubs) or universities can private-label and distribute other content. All this, while keeping a firewall between the sponsors and the content, which remains in EverFi’s hands, says executive VP Tammy Wincup. Everfi's numbers look sweet: 3 million students so far have completed EverFi programs. A year ago, they raised $11 million from investors including New Enterprise Associates, Allen and Company and Tomorrow Ventures. Sounds like a win-win-win, no?
