Innovators & Entrepreneurs

The Social Innovation Forum's portfolio of nonprofit Social Innovators represents a range of social issues including food insecurity, healthy aging, environmental sustainability, youth development, and the arts. Explore our portfolio by year or social issue and read Innovator and Entrepreneur Spotlights to learn what it means to be a part of the Social Innovation Forum.

Learn more about our 2021 Social Innovator cohort here!

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  • Breaktime

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Housing & Homelessness
      Workforce & Economic Development

    Breaktime is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working to end young adult homelessness. They operate Boston’s first transitional employment program for young adults experiencing homelessness in which young adults launch their careers, nurture their talents, and serve their communities. Through this early intervention that focuses on financial and personal empowerment, Breaktime helps prevent long-term chronic homelessness and supports young adults in becoming changemakers.

    Breaktime

  • Comprehensive Reentry Program, a model of Project Place

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Incarceration
      Workforce & Economic Development

    Project Place promotes a community of hope and opportunity for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the skills, education and resources needed to obtain and sustain employment and housing.

    project place

  • Everyday Boston

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Civic Engagement
      Social Capital

    Everyday Boston is a nonprofit that connects neighbors across a segregated city through the sharing of stories. At a time of historic isolation and division, they’re cultivating a culture of curiosity and connection across Boston.

    Everyday Boston

  • Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI_USA)

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers

    The Immigrant Family Services Institute’s mission is to expedite the successful integration of recent immigrants into the social and economic fabric of the United States with justice and dignity. Immigrant Family Services Institute provides targeted academic support and enrichment services, using a holistic approach that addresses the unique challenges of immigrant children as a way to maximize their full potential in school and beyond.

    IFSI

  • Neighbor to Neighbor

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Civic Engagement

    In an era of income inequality, environmental degradation, and racism, Neighbor to Neighbor chapters in Lynn, Worcester, Springfield, and Holyoke are building the power to confront this triple crisis in Massachusetts. They seed the new alternatives that put power and decision-making in the hands of those directly affected. 

    n2n

  • The Loop Lab

    • 2021 Social Innovator
    • Social Issue:
      Workforce & Economic Development
      Youth Development

    The Loop Lab was founded in 2017 as a project to decrease youth violence and drug abuse in disadvantaged communities by increasing job opportunities. They operate as a non-profit social enterprise specializing in digital storytelling and workforce development. Their team works together to achieve three possible outcomes for our students: Education, employment, and entrepreneurship.

    The Loop Lab