Announcing the 2017 Social Innovators!

The Social Innovation Forum (SIF) is excited to announce the selection of seven nonprofits for our 2017 Social Innovator cohort. The group consists of organizations working for social change across seven distinct issue areas, also know as "tracks", in greater Boston and beyond.

Over the next two years, the Social Innovators will receive financial and capacity-building support valued at more than $135,000 to help them gain visibility, expand their networks, and strengthen their impact.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome the 2017 Social Innovator cohort," said Social Innovation Forum Executive Director Susan Musinsky. "They are doing important work across a range of social issues in our community. We look forward to supporting them over the next 24 months and providing them with the resources and tools to expand and deepen their work."

2017 Social Innovators*

Lead Sponsors: The Devonshire Foundation, Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation, Schrafft Chartiable Trust, The Trustees' Philanthropy Fund of Fidelity Charitable

Boston CASA
Supporting Foster Children in Their Transitions to Adulthood 
Track Partner: Jon Shevell Children's Fund

Citizens for Juvenile Justice
Advancing Social Change through Advocacy and Activism
Track Partner: Bess Foundation

Community Economic Development Center
Revitalizing Southeastern Massachusetts
Track Partner: Schrafft Charitable Trust

Institute for Nonprofit Practice
Building Leaders for the Social Sector: Expanding Opportunities for Leadership Development 
Track Partner: Highland Street Foundation

Julie's Family Learning Program
Addressing the Disadvantages of Poverty and Adversity in Early Childhood
Track Partner: Gisela B. Hogan Foundation

Project Citizenship
Anything Goes: Innovative, Effective, and Sustainable Approaches to Our Region’s Toughest Social Issues 
Track Partners: Boston Open Impact**

Room to Grow
Promoting the Whole Health of Mothers and Children: Innovative Approaches to Maternal/Child Health and Healing
Track Partner: Building Blocks Charitable Fund

Evaluation and interview committees made up of more than 100 social issue experts from the business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors spent six months reviewing over 135 applicants and interviewing finalists to select the 2017 Innovator cohort. We officially welcomed the new organizations into the SIF community at our 13th Annual Winter Reception held on Wednesday, December 7 at the Microsoft NERD Center.

Watch for upcoming information on our March Social Issue Talk series, which offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about these social issues from the Innovators and expert guest speakers.

Also, save the date for SIF’s 14th Annual Social Innovator Showcase on May 2, 2017, where each of our seven Innovators will deliver a five-minute pitch, telling the story of their organization's work and impact, and inviting potential investors and supporters to become involved.

* Updated January 18: Due to an unexpected change in circumstances, MotherWoman will not be able to participate in the Social Innovator Accelerator as previously announced.
** Boston Open Impact: Daniel and Elizabeth Jick, Jeffrey and Kim Kushner, Andrew and Suzanne Offit, Robert and Amy Rands, Steven and Ellen Segal