TIAA-CREF is donating $1 million to non-profit organizations across the U.S. to honor 100 people whose work in those organizations has led to significant contributions in their communities.
Honorees were selected by a panel of judges based on their impact, creativity, perseverance and motive, a spokesman said.
Among the TIAA Difference Maker 100 honorees were Kerri Martin of Asbury Park, N.J., who launched Second Life Bikes, which recycles bicycles otherwise destined for landfills; Abigail Harrison of Wellesley, Mass., a college student who founded The Mars Generation, a non-profit to spur young people's interest in space exploration; and Sarah Garman of Pembroke Pines, Fla., a Miami-Dade College faculty member who started a food pantry for needy students.
Each of the 100 honorees will have $10,000 donated to their non-profit organization.
The program was launched this year to commemorate TIAA's 100th anniversary. Laila Ali, daughter of the late heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and a prominent supporter of charitable organizations, was the program's ambassador.
More information on the honorees and their organizations is available on the program's website.
