The Atlas Service Corps (Atlas Corps) is a new citizen sector business model that will revolutionize international service and build a global partnership for development. Atlas Corps brings rising citizen sector leaders from developing countries to volunteer at U.S. Organizations for a one year fellowship. By reversing the flow of volunteers, Atlas Corps challenges the status quo, turning all previous international volunteerism models (like the Peace Corps) on their head. Atlas Corps strives to build the capacity of the citizen sector both in the U.S. and in developing countries through this exchange. Developing countries from around the world will send rising citizen leaders to the U.S. to volunteer, learn skills, share knowledge, and come home to strengthen their domestic citizen sector. These fellowships will address a wide range of issues related to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The Business Plan
Atlas Corps One-Pager
On Sustainability
On Scale
Spanish One Pager
The Multiplier Effect
Scott Beale's CV
Potential Partner Letter





Justification: Thomas Friedman declares in The World is Flat, that the 21st century will not be shaped by governments or corporations like previous ages, but rather by empowered individuals from all corners of the earth who, as a result of globalization have unique opportunities to make a difference. Certainly the private sector has already benefited from the international exchanges of talent, and the academic community has for years been enriched through international exchanges of students. However the citizen sector (a.k.a. the nonprofit, social, NGO, or independent sector) has been left behind, unable to afford such exchanges that could expand staff size, build capacity and improve services. No cost-effective structure has yet been created to facilitate these exchanges in a manner that benefits all countries involved. important_terms

Today, 300+ volunteer exchange programs exist that send people from “the West” to “the developing world”, and at least one sends people from one developing nation to another. These programs vary in degrees of success and sustainability, but none of them bring people from the “developing world” to the “the West” to train people and build capacity. The Atlas Corps will build the network and the institution necessary for the citizen sector to compete, grow and prosper in this new world. These international exchanges will help the citizen sector provide more services, improve technology, and implement more evaluation.