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Application TimelineTrack Descriptions
Frequently Asked Questions
Letter from Social Innovation Forum Co-Director Susan MusinskyThe Social Innovation Forum is now accepting applications through Wednesday, August 6, 2008. The Social Innovation Forum provides a unique opportunity for up-and-coming nonprofit organizations to gain visibility, expand their networks, and build capacity. This year, the Social Innovation Forum has once again partnered with leading local funders to feature six Social Issue Tracks. Through these tracks, we aim to identify outstanding Social Innovators working on issues that impact communities in and around Boston, and to initiate discussion on how to generate enduring solutions to social problems.This year, we have introduced a two-phase application process. We will accept first-stage applications from now through Wednesday, August 6th. The first stage application has been greatly shortened from previous years' applications to make it easier for a range of organizations to apply and allow the Social Innovation Forum to quickly assess their fit with our process. In the week of August 25th, after a brief internal review process, we will invite a number of organizations to submit lengthier proposals. These second applications will be due on Monday, September 16th. Organizations may apply to one or more of the following Social Issue Tracks: 2009 Lead Sponsor: The Margaret S. Lindsay Foundation/Fiduciary Trust Company
We will choose one leading Social Innovator from each of our six Social Issue Tracks. These Social Innovators will be invited to give a presentation to leaders from Boston's public, private, and nonprofit sectors at the Social Innovation Forum's Showcase Event on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the MIT Faculty Club. In addition, they will receive one year of support, through a combination of consulting from Root Cause consultants and executive coaching from volunteers with expertise in strategy consulting, venture capital, marketing, and nonprofit management. We are also able to offer financial support to our Social Innovators. Each organization will receive $10,000 from the sponsoring track partner, with an additional $5,000 to follow if specific milestones are met one year after the forum. In 2008, each Social Innovator received access to over $104,000 in consulting, coaching, and in-kind services prior to the Showcase Event at which they were introduced to members of our Social Impact Investment Community and given opportunities for continuing support. Founded in 2003, the Social Innovation Forum accelerates the development of enduring solutions to social problems by directing an alternative flow of local resources to innovative, result-oriented organizations striving for efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. Our annual Showcase Event for nonprofits aims to:
Over the past five years, the Social Innovation Forum has received a total of over 250 applications, and recognized 27 Social Innovators. The Social Innovation Forum's Social Impact Investment Community has grown to over 900 members. To date, our 2006 and 2007 Social Innovators have received a total of more than $2,650,000 in cash and in-kind services due to their involvement with the Social Innovation Forum.
Track DescriptionsThe Promise of Healthy Aging: Fostering High Quality of Life Among Older Adults 65+Sponsoring Partner: Tufts Health Plan Foundation Massachusetts is on the verge of unprecedented growth in the aging population that mirrors demographic trends nationwide. According to data from the U.S. Census, between 2000 and 2030, the number of older adults aged 65+ in Massachusetts will grow from 860,000 to nearly 1.5 million, eventually representing 21 percent of the state's total population. With this population shift comes a greater need for programs that provide education and other supports so that older adults can lead healthy, active, independent lives. According to the Center for Disease Control, 80 percent of Americans over age 65 have at least one chronic health condition and 50 percent have at least two. For low-income older adults, particularly those who live alone, the health risks are even greater. Statewide, 1 in 4 adults aged 65+ are considered low income, and nearly 1 in 10 are living in poverty. Fortunately, research on successful aging gives cause for optimism. The MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America found that the keys to preserving good health and a high quality of life are: maintaining a low risk for disease, a high level of engagement with one's community, and high physical and cognitive function. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum is seeking programs and organizations in greater Boston that are fostering healthy aging. This may include opportunities for older adults to understand and navigate the health care system, stay active in their communities, and engage in improving their health through physical activity, healthy eating and other lifestyle changes. We are particularly interested in applicants who are working with low income populations and culturally diverse communities.Empowering Disadvantaged Youth Through the ArtsSponsoring Partner: Amelia Peabody Foundation and Hunt Alternatives Fund Massachusetts is home to over 1.1 million children between the ages of 5-18. Twenty-four percent - nearly 1 in 4 - are from low income families (below 200 percent of the poverty threshold). Many live in neighborhoods with high rates of violence and unemployment, and face family and community circumstances that make their journey to adulthood exceptionally difficult. Recent research indicates that education in the arts is in a unique position to address both the academic and social challenges faced by these youth. According to Harvard University's Project Zero, instruction in the arts unequivocally correlates with improved verbal and spatial ability relevant to academic achievement, a correlation strongest among students from low-income backgrounds. Furthermore, arts education, by encouraging creativity and a sense of agency, fosters independent thinking that can be later applied  to the pursuit of economic and social goals. According to the Massachusetts Cultural Council young people engaged in the arts during school or after school are more involved in their communities than their peers who do not participate in arts programs. Community engagement plus the opportunity to explore interests, build skills, and develop supportive relationships with adults greatly enhances the likelihood that disadvantaged youth will succeed in school and in life. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum seeks programs and organizations that are focused on empowering youth in disadvantaged areas through their participation in any arts discipline. We are particularly interested in groups working with underserved youth outside of Boston.Social Enterprise: Nonprofit Earned IncomeSponsoring Partner: The Fund for Philanthropy & EducationWhile nonprofit organizations have a long history of earning income and running business ventures, the strategy  has garnered more attention in recent years. This trend is driven in part by increased financial pressures on the sector, greater acceptance of business practices, and a growing interest in identifying systemic, self-sustaining solutions to social needs. Many nonprofits across the United States are exploring opportunities to earn revenue as a way to improve financial sustainability and achieve social objectives. Over the ten year period between 1982 and 2002, earned revenue as a percentage of total nonprofit revenue jumped from 48 percent to 58 percent, with nonprofits earning an estimated $252 billion combined. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum is seeking programs and organizations that have established a market-driven strategy to earn revenue from service fees, product sales, registrations, membership dues and/or subscriptions, and are interested in growing this source of income. Revenue must be earned through a value-added transaction between the nonprofit and its defined customer. The strategy must directly further the social mission of the organization and applicants must have sales on record/demonstrated experience with implementation.School to Work: Creating Pathways for Productive Employment for Older YouthSponsoring Partner: United Way of Massachusetts Bay In Massachusetts, 64,000 young people ages 16-24 are not attending school, not working and have no degree beyond high school, with 8,000 in Boston alone. This disengaged and idle "high-risk" youth population is growing in size, and surprisingly, continues to be largely ignored. According to data from the American Community Survey, the number of Massachusetts' youth who are both out-of-school and out-of-work increased 16 percent between 2002 and 2006. At the same time, federal resources allocated to cities and states for employment and training programs have been scaled back over the past few decades, especially for youth programs. Unable to increase their value to the labor market either through education or experience, these youth are at greater risk for a future of unemployment, underemployment and poverty. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum is seeking programs and organizations that are creating pathways for productive employment and skill development for older youth, and providing the necessary support to ensure their success in work and life. We are interested in applicants working with youth outside the City of Boston, as well as Boston-focused organizations.Getting the Best Possible Start: Supporting Children & Families through Early ChildhoodSponsoring Partner: Eos Foundation In Massachusetts, 26 percent of children - one in four - live in low-income households. Research from the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University shows that children from poor families can begin to score lower on standardized development tests as early as at 18 months, and these differences not only persist but increase as a child ages. At the same time, early child development experts have documented that "when parents are inexperienced in child-rearing or overwhelmed by economic insecurity or threatening community conditions, effective parent education and family support programs can help sustain [the] kinds of growth-promoting experiences that build child competence and shape healthy brain architecture." Program quality often depends on investing both in parents and program staff and focusing on meeting children's social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs through the development of nurturing and dependable relationships. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum seeks programs and organizations that are working to ensure the health and well-being of very young children ages 0-5 by supporting children and their caregivers and/or early childhood professionals.Making College Graduation a Reality: Preparing & Supporting Low Income StudentsSponsoring Partner: Highland Street Foundation Although college enrollment is on the rise, graduation rates are low, especially among low-income students and first-generation college goers. According to the Lumina Foundation, over the last 25 years the six-year graduation rate for students in the top income quartile has fluctuated between 50 and 65 percent, whereas in the lowest income quartile of college students only 5 to 8 percent graduate by age 24. Academic demands are an important part, but only one factor as to why many young people have difficulty completing a degree. Differences between the college culture and a student's home environment, actual and perceived financial aid barriers, and lack of social support networks and mentorship also contribute to the challenge of the college years. The costs to individuals who fail to graduate are high. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the wage premium of a bachelor's degree versus a high school diploma is $900,000 over a working lifetime. The negative consequences are even greater for dropouts who take on loans to finance their college education and end up with debts to pay, but no academic credentials to help them do so. For this track, the Social Innovation Forum is seeking programs and organizations that are working at the high school or college level to ensure that low-income students can finish college successfully. Approaches may include helping youth and their families access financial and other resources, preparing students for the academic demands and cultural norms of college life, supporting them throughout their college career, or some combination. We will accept applicants based in the community, as well as affiliated within an educational intuition. Frequently Asked QuestionsWHEN ARE THE INTERVIEWS AND WHO PARTICIPATES?From the pool of second applications we will select about half as finalists to participate in half-day in-person interview sessions. These interview sessions will be a required portion of the application process, so we would ask you as the person applying as the possible Social Innovator, and the Executive Director of your organization (if you are applying for a smaller program within your organization) to set aside the date corresponding to your Social Issue Track:
What outcomes can I expect from participating in the Social Innovation Forum?We aim to make involvement with the Social Innovation Forum a learning opportunity for innovative nonprofits in greater Boston. We have designed our application process to help your organization begin to think critically about how to present its vision, core competencies, and revenue model. The process will also provide us with insight into your external environment, as well as your organization's current strengths and challenges. The Social Innovation Forum will offer a $10,000 grant to each Social Innovator organization and an additional $5,000 will be available a year after the Showcase Event provided the organization meets certain milestones. Selected Social Innovators will:
Who is eligible to apply?The 2009 Social Innovation Forum is open to programs or organizations that:
* Note: Organizations with budgets larger than $2 million are welcome to apply as long as the program/initiative being presented in the application has a total budget less than that amount. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. What is the application review process?The application review process consists of the following stages, and will be conducted through November 2008. August: Each first stage application will go through a pre-review process in which the Social Innovation Forum staff checks that the organization meets basic requirements to become a Social Innovator and falls in line with the vision of the track. During the week of August 25th we will then issue an invitation for qualifying organizations to submit more detailed proposals. September: Second round applications will be submitted by September 16th. September/October: Each application will be read by a diverse committee comprised of people associated with the social issue area in which your organization works including funding partners and community experts. The committee will be guided by Social Innovation Forum staff and committee members will provide a written report prior to making their final decisions. October: In each Social Issue Track, we will invite four to six organizations to attend a half-day interview session with a team of the evaluators. The Social Innovation Forum will then gather the necessary information and perform due diligence on organizations being considered before releasing the list of Social Innovators in November. What are you looking for in a Social Innovator?The Social Innovation Forum seeks nonprofit organizations whose leaders:
Does my organization have to be recommended by a member of the Nominating Committee in order to apply?No. Organizations may nominate themselves and receive a 2009 Social Innovator application. To nominate your organization, visit the Nomination Page. Is it possible to apply as a program within an organization?Yes. Any program, initiative, or organization with an operating budget of less than $2 million can apply. The executive director of the organization, along with the program leader, must be fully committed to the process and willing to participate in meetings and events as requested. If I am interested in applying to more than one track, do I have to send in more than one application?Yes. Each track has its own set of evaluators who select Social Innovators based on alignment with a particular social issue. Much of the application information can be copied from one application to the next, but we have found that submitting identical applications to two different tracks does not allow applicants to address the issue-specific questions raised by our Social Issue Tracks. We do not wish to discourage organizations from applying to more than one track. Instead, we hope you will contact us with questions if you are considering this option: e-mail application@socialinnovationforum.org or call(617)649-1526. What is the application process for those who applied to the 2008 Social Innovation Forum?The 2009 first application has changed quite a bit and is much shorter than previous years. You must submit the 2009 version of the application so that we have consistent information from all applicants. You are welcome to update content from your previous application, rather than re-write your answers from scratch. If you need a copy of your old application, please let us know. What is the schedule leading up to the showcase event on May 5, 2009?The process is outlined below. If you are invited to submit a full application, dates and other requirements will be relayed in more detail. We will have an information session on July 23rd for those with general questions, as well as a session in early September for those with questions about the second stage of the application process.
Note: Dates and times are subject to change. What is the time commitment required of Social Innovators?In order to take advantage of the consulting, coaching, and relationship-building services offered by the Social Innovation Forum, Social Innovators should expect to commit 5-6 hours per week for five months (December 2008 to early May 2009). After the forum, continued support from the Social Innovation Forum will require approximately 10 hours per month from May through December. Innovators will meet quarterly with Social Innovation Forum staff to review their progress on identified key measures. Are there any fees for participating organizations?In choosing Social Innovators, we look for leaders who will make a true commitment to the partnership and become active participants in all meetings and events. To this end, we ask organizations selected as Social Innovators to make a $1,000 investment in the one-year process and partnership. However, we do not want the fee to be a barrier to applying or participating. Who supports the Social Innovation Forum?The lead sponsor for the upcoming Social Innovation Forum's entire year-long process is the Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation and Fiduciary Trust Company. The lead sponsor for the 2009 Showcase Event is the State Street Foundation. The Forum also partners with other foundations who sponsor our Social Issue Tracks. In addition, a number of angel investors who are interested in the growth and support that we offer are lending advice and financial support to make the project viable. Our current and past partners, sponsors, and space hosts include:
What is Root Cause?The Social Innovation Forum is a social enterprise of Root Cause. Root Cause develops and supports enduring solutions to social problems through strategy consulting, knowledge sharing, and the building of sustainable social enterprises. Our work demonstrates leading-edge management strategies and best practices that foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and accountability. We strive to integrate applied research, practice, and public policy to increase the impact of organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that are seeking to solve social problems. For more information about the Social Innovation Forum's parent organization, please visit www.rootcause.org or contact Cliff Smith, 617-492-2300.
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