Causes: Children & Youth, Civil Rights, Economic Development, Education, International, International Economic Development, Microfinance, Secondary & High Schools, Women, Womens Rights, Youth Community Service Clubs

Mission: MAIA (formerly Starfish) unlocks and maximizes the potential of young women to lead transformational change.

Results: MAIA Girl Pioneers become lightning rods for systemic change in their communities. Graduates of the program are on average the first in their families to make it past 3rd grade, and they go on to earn university scholarships, open social enterprises, flourish as professionals, and lead movements for social change. They serve as examples for their families and communities as to what can happen what a young woman is afforded the access and opportunities that allow her to reach her full potential. The impact of a MAIA Girl Pioneer is infinite. Recent Impact Data:- In 2021, MAIA celebrated its first high school graduation of 40 Girl Pioneers;- In 2021, Girl Pioneers received 1,722 hours of individual and group mentorship;- 91% of Girl Pioneers passed the rigorous University of San Carlos entrance exams;- MAIA is a featured partner of the Obama Foundations' Girls Opportunity Alliance;- Current retention rate of 97% (in Guatemala, fewer than 20% of Indigenous girls graduate high school);- Girl Pioneers placed 1st and 2nd in Guatemala's national STEAM competition;- One Girl Pioneer became Central America's first and only RISE Global Winner;- One Girl Pioneer became a SHE CAN scholarship winner and will be continuing her studies at a university in the US;

Target demographics: Indigenous Maya girls from grades 7 to 12

Direct beneficiaries per year: 300 Girl Pioneers and their families (2,100 people), 40+ organizations

Geographic areas served: Guatemala

Programs: MAIA is dedicated to unlocking and maximizing the potential of young women to lead transformational change. Through these key strategies, we support a new generation of leaders and enable a collective impact for adolescent girls, families, and communities. 1) MAIA Impact School — The Impact School is a secondary school created to maximize the potential of Mayan girls by providing a high-quality education while supporting holistic socioemotional development and celebrating culture. It is the only school of its kind in Central America. Every aspect of the school, the curriculum, and the mentorship program has been developed to nourish and connect the girls’ talents with the opportunities of the 21st century. 2) Socioemotional Development — Our holistic model of education focuses on more than just the academic. For their personal development and empowerment, Girl Pioneers receive training and education in weekly individual and group sessions essential nonacademic content areas such as goal setting, personal hygiene, civic participation, reproductive health, trauma mitigation, leadership skills, and an empowered voice. MAIA's Family Engagement program ensures families are learning alongside their daughters. We provide Girl Pioneers with a network of support that is critical to their ability to overcome challenges; together they build a common vision for their future. 3) Project Impulso - The challenges caused by COVID-19 created new needs. Before entering the 7th grade at the Impact School, Girl Pioneers complete a yearlong academic leveling program in Project Impulso (impuslo means momentum in Spanish) to reinforce key areas like English, technology, math, reading and language arts, vocal empowerment, and mentorship. 4) Launch Year — MAIA's Launch Year is a “gap year” for Girl Pioneer graduates of the Impact School that generates opportunity in the formal economy and success in university through professional skill development, university coaching, and workplace experience in collaborations with local businesses, private foundations, and university partners. 5) Innovation and Collaboration Network — MAIA has an abundance mindset centered on collaboration. The Impact School is designed to be an innovation platform where other actors in youth development can access contextualized best practices.