Become a Social Innovator

Applications closed as of Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Root Cause is no longer accepting applications for its 2011-2012 Social Innovation Forum, however, please read on to learn about this year's selection process and program. We will update this page in June 2012 when we officially launch the 2012-2013 application cycle. Root Cause believes that social innovation is critical to ensure that our public and private resources are leveraged in the most effective ways to address our nation’s social problems. Yet, it is often difficult for emerging innovations to receive the recognition and support they need to develop and spread their impact.

Root Cause’s Social Innovation Forum provides a unique opportunity for innovative nonprofit organizations to gain visibility, expand their networks, and build capacity.

Benefits to Chosen Social Innovators:

We will select one Social Innovator for each of our six 2011-2012 social issue tracks. The chosen Social Innovators will present their social impact models to leaders from Boston’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors at the Social Innovation Forum’s Showcase event on Thursday, May 3, 2012. In addition, each Social Innovator will receive access to:

  • $10,000 from the social issue track sponsor
  • A package of consulting, executive coaching, and other in-kind services valued at over $100,000
  • A $10,000, second consulting engagement 18 months out from the Showcase, upon completion of the key measures process
  • Support from the Social Innovation Forum staff on performance tracking and relationship-building

In addition to receiving recognition as leaders in their fields, the Social Innovators will have the opportunity to participate in various networking events and become part of the Social Innovation Forum’s growing circle of nonprofit, business, government and foundation leaders.

2011-2012 Social Issue Tracks and Sponsoring Partners

Lead Sponsors: The Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation and Fiduciary Trust Company

At-Risk Children and Youth in MetroWest: Providing Adult Guidance and Support
Sponsoring Partner: The Sudbury Foundation

Food, Nutrition, and Fitness: Promoting Healthy Living for Children, Youth, and Families
Sponsoring Partner: The Trefler Foundation

Healthy Aging: Engaging and Supporting Older Adults in their Communities
Sponsoring Partner: Tufts Health Plan Foundation

Impact Investing: Scaling Social Enterprise
Sponsoring Partner: The Devonshire Foundation

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Enrichment for Children and Youth
Sponsoring Partners: Amelia Peabody Foundation and Microsoft New England Research & Development Center

Workforce Development: Skills and Support for Workers in Today’s Economy
Sponsoring Partner: Highland Street Foundation

 

If you have any questions about this year's application process or our program, please do not hesitate to contact Zeina Fayyaz, Program Coordinator, at socialinnovationforum@rootcause.org or at 617.649.1518.