Meet the Organizations of On Purpose 2026

When learning meets purpose

When resources are limited, but ambition is boundless, learning becomes the most powerful tool for change. That’s the idea behind On Purpose, Articulate’s spotlight on organizations that use learning to make a positive difference in the world.

In this article, meet the seven featured organizations making a difference. Explore the full inaugural edition for extended stories of each organization and additional insights to inspire your own work.

7 organizations changing the world with learning in 2026

From education to conservation, healthcare to animal welfare, the seven organizations featured in On Purpose demonstrate the transformative power of learning across industries and communities. See how each of the nonprofits featured in the 2026 edition uses e-learning to transform their missions into impact.

Project Lead The Way

Project Lead The Way removes learning barriers for students and educators across the U.S. The organization prepares pre-K-12 students for careers, college, and life by providing STEM experiences that prepare them for the real world, provide valuable knowledge, and instill confidence.

Online learning is crucial for facilitating those experiences. All of the organization’s learning is delivered digitally, whether facilitated online or in person. This allows learners to practice key concepts virtually, even when physical resources aren’t available. It also helps foster a sense of community among teachers, many of whom may be the only STEM educator in their school.

“E-learning is a tremendous avenue for improving our access and reach.”

Joel Kupperstein, Chief Product Officer, Project Lead The Way

United Network for Organ Sharing

The United Network for Organ Sharing provides life-saving training to doctors, nurses, surgeons, lab techs, and other professionals who coordinate organ transplants. The organization delivers high-stakes training to a vast network of transplant professionals with speed and precision—many of whom may only have a few minutes in between patient visits to learn about an important policy update.

E-learning allows the organization to meet learners where they are with realistic, just-in-time training. With a learning audience spread across the country, distributing content digitally keeps communication consistent and accurate, instilling trust and deepening learners’ connection to the cause.

“We choose e-learning because it allows us to do what’s best for our community.”

Samantha Settimio, Learning and Development Manager, UNOS

The Animal Humane Society

More than a shelter, the Animal Humane Society is a nonprofit that provides animal care, adoption, and community services like veterinary care, food support, and temporary pet housing. When a nationwide shortage of veterinary technicians threatened their work, they turned to training to fill that urgent community need.

Through a combination of online and in-person training, the organization created a comprehensive veterinary technician training program to equip future vet techs with all the skills they needed. A comprehensive e-learning component kept the program flexible, and allowed learners to make the most of their live training sessions, ultimately increasing the organization’s capacity to help more animals and their people.

“E-learning made the training more flexible, and helped participants feel more prepared.”

Jay Carpenter, Systems Support Specialist, Animal Humane Society

Rare

Rare is an environmental conservation organization focused on changing human behavior to fight climate change and protect nature. To date, the nonprofit has trained over 5,000 conservation practitioners in over 60 countries.

To reach a global scale, e-learning has been crucial, enabling connection for learners who may speak different languages, live in remote areas, or face bandwidth limits. It also allows Rare to affordably create collaborative learning environments for diverse groups of learners, who can then work together across time zones, cultures, and career paths to solve challenges together.

“E-learning is a powerful equalizer.”

Kate Mannle, Director of Training Programs, Rare

National Head Start Association

Head Start supports school readiness for young children via programs for pregnant women and children from birth to age five. The National Head Start Association advocates for these programs at the national level, providing essential resources, training, and support to the professionals who lead them.

Online training helps remove geographic, technical, and time-related barriers, opening up professional development opportunities to more people. It allows the organization to reach families in rural areas with consistent, in-depth learning opportunities, provides opportunities for online connection through social learning, and even facilitates career development strategies like digital portfolios. This multifaceted approach to learning improves school readiness for more children and their families.

“E-learning is not a replacement for in-person learning. It’s an expansion.”

Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Deputy Director | Community Engagement Innovation, NHSA

San Diego Eye Bank

San Diego Eye Bank provides donated corneal, scleral, and other ocular tissues to those needing sight restoration and preservation. The organization’s training prepares learners for complex procedures and moments, including tissue recoveries, transplants, and conversations with donor families.

San Diego Eye Bank chooses a mix of in-person and online learning to scale its training without sacrificing quality, comprehension, or human connection. E-learning allows the organization to standardize its content, expand its reach nationally and internationally, and increase public awareness about eye donation.

“E-learning has allowed us to standardize our content.”

Shahri Jones, Learning Management System Developer, SDEB

Accountability Framework initiative

A global coalition of NGOs, the Accountability Framework initiative helps companies in commodity supply chains make measurable progress on deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights.

With e-learning, the organization has transformed its complex, thorough framework into a digestible digital guide. Learners can more easily navigate resources and explore content through linked resources. Ultimately, this allows them to help more companies turn deforestation pledges into action.

“E-learning makes our materials more digestible and accessible.”

Adrienne Brown, Senior Manager of AFi’s Backbone Team, Rainforest Alliance

Learning for lasting impact

These seven organizations prove that with the right tools and strategies, learning’s impact reaches far beyond courses. It crosses continents, languages, and communities—expanding opportunity and creating lasting change. Their stories remind us that meaningful progress begins with sharing knowledge and that, with the right support, anyone can be part of the movement.

Explore the full On Purpose magazine to read more about each organization. Learn how these nonprofits shape a better world with learning.

Interested in being featured in the next edition of On Purpose? Apply today to share your organization’s story of learning-powered progress.