Mission
The Caring Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1985 to honor and promote the values of caring, integrity, and public service. Inspired by the example of Mother Teresa, we at the institute believe most problems can be solved if human beings truly care for one another. We celebrate those special individuals who transcend self and devote their lives to serving the disadvantaged, poor, disabled, and dying. Their enduring dedication to caring uplifts us all and ennobles the human race.

Goals
We’re committed to spreading the caring credo: you can do well by doing good. Success, as we constantly stress, is defined by having a passionate concern for the welfare of others. To reinforce this message, we continue to broadcast a new standard of social responsibility. Behind all our endeavors — past, present, and future — is the central concept that one person can make a difference.

Val Halamandaris, Executive Director of the Caring Institute, with Mother Teresa.

Ashlee Kephart, a 2008 young adult honoree, is one of the 20 inspiring people chosen to be torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Ashlee was selected because she uses her passion for positive living to make meaningful change. She is the founder of Kids for a Better World, a nonprofit organization that empowers teens to coordinate community efforts and spread the spirit of volunteerism. She raises funds for care packages and distributes them to U.S. disaster victims, along with the message “I care about you.” She also donates books, shoes, and clothing to orphans in Liberia and Kenya, making their world better too. Recently, she joined 3,300 Minnesota nonprofits in Give to the Max Day, raising a record $14 million in charitable donations.

We are now accepting nominations for the 2010 Caring Awards.
Thanks to all who submitted nominations for the 2009 Caring Awards, and to those nominated for this prestigious honor. Nominations are under consideration at this time and winners will be notified by mail. Please direct any questions to info@caring.org.

Now you can watch videos of Caring Award winners on YouTube!  Just visit the CaringChannel. If the video of your favorite adult Caring Award winner isn’t posted yet, contact us at info@caring.org and let us know who you want to see on YouTube!