In 2009, NCC formally launched Operation Smart Child (OSC), an evidence based program designed in partnership with the Urban Child Institute, to improve brain and social skills development in children from conception to four.

WHITEHOUSE: Helping to Provide a Healthy Start for Children

Disconnection between patient care and working conditions is the focus of Paraprofessional Health Institute, a group trying to improve home care for both the patient and the workers.

NPR: Home Health Aides Seek Labor Protections

In order to standardize their work and improve their productivity, the Institute relies on automated procedures and laboratory robots.

FORBES: Connect

Organizations such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement focus on bold and inventive ways to improve the health of individuals and populations.

FORBES: Dinosaur Doctors And The Death Of Paternalistic Medicine

The riveting story led to the creation of the Central Asia Institute, an organization that endeavors to improve girls' education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"Participating in this Institute allows us to utilize advances in predictive analytics to optimize the operation of our key assets and improve the reliability of our electric grid, " said Vince Dow, Vice President Distribution Operations, DTE Energy.

ENGADGET: IBM announces Smarter Energy Research Institute, aims to improve energy grids (video)

Most importantly, I can thank INK for getting me a signed picture of one of my heroes, Mr. T, and the equally valuable picture of the INK team in mustaches, which according to the American Mustache Institute will improve the good looks of the agency by 38 percent.

FORBES: INK Works The Relationship