Girls Incorporated and The Goldman Sachs Foundation Kick off Third Annual 'Camp' for Aspiring Girl Entrepreneurs

Business Wire, June 26, 2008

Weeklong Corporate Exploration Motivates Girls to Become Business Owners

NEW YORK -- Girls Incorporated and The Goldman Sachs Foundation kick off Girls Inc. Corporate Camp(SM) for Entrepreneurs -- a unique seven-day experience giving teen girls from across the country the opportunity to fuel their entrepreneurial spirits, showcase their talents and sharpen their leadership skills. From July 12 through July 18, 2008, this one-of-a-kind summer experience awards 20 girls ages 15 - 18 an exciting corporate adventure, providing them with insight into the demanding business world and mentorship opportunities with female professional role models.

Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold(SM),joined with The Goldman Sachs Foundation to develop a program that provides girls the opportunity to manage new ventures, make business decisions, and understand how entrepreneurship can lead to economic independence. Selection of participants is based on a nationwide competition in which girls at Girls Inc. organizations are asked to develop their own original product or service and create a business plan.

During the camp, participants attend business plan and marketing workshops, conduct presentations, and refine their business models to address the day-to-day concerns of starting and sustaining a business, all with the guidance and support of Goldman Sachs professionals.

To round out their experience, "campers" also meet with a panel of female business owners and visit women-owned restaurants and stores throughout New York City to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

"We are delighted to work with The Goldman Sachs Foundation on the third Girls Inc. Corporate Camp(SM) for Entrepreneurs," said Joyce Roche, President and CEO of Girls Inc. "This unique opportunity takes girls inside the corporate world, encourages them to be confident and take healthy risks, and helps them discover their potential as the next generation of business leaders. We are proud to join once again with one of the world's most prestigious financial services firm to offer this exciting experience."

"We aim to build a pipeline of the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs," said Stephanie Bell-Rose, President of The Goldman Sachs Foundation. "Each year the Goldman Sachs Women's Network mentors and coaches the Girls Inc. students to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders, and through our partnership with Girls Inc. over the last three years, we have put many young women on the path to success!"

The Girls Inc. Corporate Camp(SM)for Entrepreneurs 2008 Participants

This year's winning entries hail from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, and Texas:

* F.I.R.E. - Girls Inc. of Lynn

Designing and selling memory books or yearbooks in a digital format (Digibooks).

* Bizzy Babiez - Girls Inc. of Southwestern Connecticut

An interactive, developmentally appropriate venue where parents and children six months to four years of age can play and learn together.

* Ice Savers - Girls Inc. of Sarasota County

Eco-friendly accessories made from recycled materials.

* Green Girls d.b.a Earthly Charms - Girls Inc. of Tarrant County

An Eco-friendly salon and store that offers organic products that are not tested on animals. The salon offers an energy efficient hair salon, and manicure/pedicure service.

Girls Incorporated([R]) is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold(SM). With local roots dating to 1864 and national status since 1945, Girls Inc. has responded to the changing needs of girls through research-based programs and public education efforts that empower girls to understand, value, and assert their rights. In 2006, Girls Inc. reached over 800,000 girls through Girls Inc. affiliates, our website, and educational publications.

The Goldman Sachs Foundation was funded in 1999 with a $200 million donation from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The Foundation's mission is to promote excellence and innovation in education worldwide. The Foundation is an important extension of the tradition of philanthropy and public leadership at Goldman Sachs. Grants have been awarded in excess of $114 million since its inception, providing opportunities for young people in more than 20 countries. Visit the Foundation at www.gs.com/foundation.>

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