With roots in Lowell from 1917, Girls Inc. has adapted to a dramatically changing world while keeping its original mission intact: to inspire girls to become strong, smart, successful, and responsible. The 6-18 year olds whom it serves are often disadvantaged: 55% from families earning under $25,000, and only 27% from two-parent families. Girls Inc. offers them an After-School Enrichment program, vacation activities, and a 9-week all-day Summer Program. Girls unable to come to its headquarters benefit from its in-school programs in elementary and middle schools. Current projects include “Photovoice,” which teaches girls to use photography to express what matters to them and their communities; and “Girls Take Action,” which teaches participants to cope with violence and oppression. Girls Inc. is of course a national program, but this financially independent affiliate is perhaps the most award-winning of them all—for nine years in a row in 6 of 7 categories, in 2002 more than any other affiliate, and in 2006 the nation’s best in their medium-budget category. Its headquarters are recently updated and now mortgage-free. Frugal in its spending and effective in its outreach, this is a charity to invest in.