Morgan Stanley Launches Seventh Annual U.S. Strategy Challenge Benefitting Nine Nonprofit Organizations

NEW YORK, April 1, 2015 /3BL Media/ –Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced the launch of the seventh annual U.S. Strategy Challenge, the Firm’s signature skill-based pro bono volunteer program.  Each year, this eight week program pairs the strategic thinking of Morgan Stanley employees with leading nonprofits to help develop tangible solutions to overcome key challenges these nonprofits face in delivering on their missions.

“This one-of-a-kind program brings to life our Firm’s core value of Giving Back and encapsulates the diverse backgrounds and perspectives our employees bring to the table when creating innovative solutions,” said Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Philanthropy.  “The Strategy Challenge brings the Firm’s client-centric focus to community-based partners and enables our employees to fundamentally enhance the service of these nonprofits as they tackle critical issues in the communities in which we live and work.”

The nine nonprofit organizations taking part in this year’s U.S. Strategy Challenge are:

• Bridge Street Development Corporation builds partnerships with businesses, government, and other community stakeholders to provide civic and economic opportunities to the residents of Central Brooklyn.
   
• Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies works to promote the social and economic well-being of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human service organizations.
   
• Grace Institute provides free job training and placement for low income unemployed women ages 18-65.
   
• Harlem Educational Activities Fund changes the lives of underserved young people, beginning in middle school and continuing in college and beyond, through a youth development approach that includes rigorous year-round academic enrichment, social and cultural exposure and constant individual attention.
   
• Headstrong Project provides cost-free, stigma-free and bureaucracy free treatment of PTSD and related conditions to post 9/11 combat veterans.
   
• Partnership with Children works to strengthen the social, emotional and cognitive skills of at-risk children.
   
• The New York Center for Autism Charter School provides individualized, scientifically-based educational services to children on the autism spectrum, helping ensure that they reach their full intellectual, social and emotional potential.
   
• Start Small Think Big helps low-income individuals build thriving businesses to increase their personal financial security and stimulate economic activity in underserved New York City communities.
   
• Student Sponsor Partners addresses the high school dropout crisis in New York City by providing low-income, at-risk students with four years of non-public, college-preparatory education and one-to-one mentorship.

Last month, Morgan Stanley launched the second annual Strategy Challenge in the UK, benefitting five London-based nonprofit organizations. Since the launch of the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge in 2009, the program has cumulatively delivered more than 45,000 hours of service to 77 non-profit organizations over the last seven years, providing charities with significant assistance in bringing true value and lasting change to our communities, while giving valuable skills training to 400 Morgan Stanley employees.

We invite people to follow the progress of the programs in the U.S. and the UK on the Strategy Challenge blog and via the #StrategyChallenge hashtag on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  With offices in more than 43 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.  For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

Media Relations Contact: Dan Mahoney, 212.761.2645