NEW YORK – Leaders from 32 of the most exceptional educational organizations in the nation across twenty states learned today they were semifinalists for this year’s prestigious Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education, which comes with a $1 million grand prize. The event, held by the Yass Prize in partnership with Forbes, was keynoted by Forbes Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media Steve Forbes, Yass Prize Founder Janine Yass and previous recipients of the Yass Prize and STOP Awards Initiative.

The Yass Prize and STOP Awards Initiative will provide more than $11 million this year in order to support education organizations that are beating the odds at delivering exceptional 21st century learning opportunities to students and families.

“At Forbes, we know the qualities of great entrepreneurs and these 32 are changing the landscape of education and innovating how education providers serve the underserved,” said Forbes Chief Content Officer & Editor, Randall Lane.

Now in its second year, the awards have since tripled to expand reach and impact. “There are literally thousands of education leaders who are quietly transforming a previously stagnant education landscape,” said Jeanne Allen, Yass Foundation Director and Founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform. “Our goal is to find and fund the best and influence others to follow their examples, so that no child has to wait for the education that best meets their needs.”

The 32 semifinalists announced today will receive at least a $200,000 STOP Award grant and will vie for six $250,000 awards as well as the $1 million Yass Prizes to be announced on December 14.  A new Yass Prize platform and three-week virtual accelerator will help all applicants coalesce to learn from one another as well as entrepreneurs, technology leaders and investors. The finalists will move onto an intensive in-person accelerator program and pitch competition to be held in Miami, Florida in December. The 2022 finalists and $1 million Yass Prize winner will be announced on December 14, 2022.