Hillel Bromberg: I knew from the time I waas a youngster that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. I started my career in college publications at Northeastern University, where I cut my professional teeth as a proofreader and editor. Then I moved to Babson College, where I was the senior writer, responsible for annual reports, articles, catalogs, handbooks, and special events pieces. After a yearlong foray into quality improvement consulting, I started a consulting career as a writer for hire. Nearly all of my work for almost 15 years has been researching funders and writing proposals for clients in social services, homelessness, the arts, and higher education. My heart lies in the nonprofit sector and I can think of no better way to make a living than to help organizations that are passionate about making the world a better place.

FUEL was founded in January 2009 by social entrepreneur and economist Bob Hildreth. Through his personal experiences in philanthropy, Bob saw that, contrary to popular belief, low-income families do save money. And so, with an eye toward US education reform, FUEL was created as a matched savings program to help first-generation-to-college families propel their children into higher education. FUEL offers an incentive-driven package of programs and services that give low-income families the knowledge, skills, and network they need to move their children toward higher education. FUEL partners with nine community organizations in Boston, Chelsea, and Lynn, Massachusetts. We currently work with more than 350 families and 400 children. We have sent 48 youth to college and expect to send 60 to 70 this fall.