Alum's nonprofit gains support for hunger relief in Africa

Andrew Youn '06 was among the alumni returning to Kellogg during Reunion, held May 4-6. In addition to reconnecting with his peers, Youn had other business in mind too. As founder of the One Acre Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating chronic hunger in Kenya, Youn took the opportunity to hold a town hall meeting at Kellogg to let supporters and potential supporters know what One Acre has been accomplishing.

Youn reported that One Acre has enjoyed considerable media attention in recent months, including coverage on National Public Radio and Glamour magazine, and has continued strengthening its humanitarian mission with the help of new funding, including a Draper Richards Grant that will bring $300,000 to Youn's efforts over the next three years. What began in January 2006 as an effort to help about 40 farm families gain the skills and resources to improve and sustain their agricultural efforts now assists 350 farmers.

"We grew 10 times and doubled the farmers' income," said Youn. "We are on track to reach our goal of quadrupling farm income for 30,000 families, sustainably, in the next five years."