America Forward | News Archive

Stephen Goldsmith Calls on State and Local Governments to Open Doors for Social Innovation

July 17, 2009

Stephen Goldsmith, former Mayor of Indianapolis and Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Harvard Kennedy School, looks at how governments can spark social sector innovation in Governing. As a complement to the White House Office of Social Innovation, he calls on mayors and governors to foster opportunities for social entrepreneurs at [...]

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News Round-Up: Coverage of the White House Press Conference on the Innovation Fund

July 2, 2009

Check out the links below for coverage of the White House press conference on the Innovation Fund:

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President Announces Community Solutions Agenda: Calls on Citizens and Philanthropists to Partner with Government and Invest in What Works

June 30, 2009

Today, President Obama announced the launch of the Community Solutions Agenda and issued a challenge to government, the private sector, philanthropy, and citizens to come together to find and invest in promising solutions to our nation’s toughest social problems. This agenda, which includes the Innovation Fund and the White House Office of Social Innovation and [...]

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President Obama to highlight innovative community solutions today at 2:00 PM

June 30, 2009

This afternoon at 2:00 PM ET, President Obama will  highlight innovative programs that are making a difference in communities across the country.  He will also discuss the importance of searching outside Washington to find and expand successful community solutions, and challenge foundations and philanthropists to join in this effort.

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White House Turns the Spotlight on Year Up!

June 19, 2009

America Forward coalition member Year Up is closing the opportunity gap for urban young adults. Year Up’s program for low-income and disconnected 18 to 24 year olds provides six months of professional skills and technical training, followed by a six-month paid apprenticeship in information technology or investment operations at a leading company. Today, this high-impact [...]

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President Obama Announces United We Serve Summer Initiative

June 17, 2009

In a video message released today, President Obama unveiled a new initiative to engage Americans across the country in meaningful national and community service. The United We Serve summer initiative is an extended call to service beginning on June 22nd, and lasting through the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th. In his [...]

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First Lady to Philanthropists: “We need you”

June 17, 2009

In a speech Tuesday to Washington, DC philanthropists and leaders, First Lady Michelle Obama called on the philanthropic community to come together to support the work of innovative nonprofits. She also stressed the importance of partnerships in creating lasting change. We need foundations and philanthropists to provide the integral support for our community organizations. But [...]

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Venture Philanthropy Partners on Social Innovation

June 10, 2009

“Everywhere I go in the nonprofit/philanthropic world these days, I hear two words: ‘Scale’ and ‘Innovation,’” says Carol Thompson Cole, President of Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP). Cole used her monthly “President’s Perspective” column as a platform to talk about the importance of scaling innovation, while VPP Chairman, Mario Marino, devoted two recent “From the Chairman’s [...]

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High Stakes, High Hopes for Philanthropy

June 10, 2009

In a recent post on the Council of Foundations website, Shirley Sagawa points to the Social Innovation Fund as a place where government and grantmakers will partner to leverage the experience and resources of the philanthropic community alongside federal efforts to create lasting change. Sagawa offers an in-depth analysis of the way this partnership will [...]

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The Chronicle of Philanthropy: White House Officials Discuss Plans for Social Innovation Office

June 4, 2009

In a recent interview with The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Melody Barnes, and Sonal Shah, the newly appointed head of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, discuss the important role social innovation will play in addressing critical challenges in education, healthcare, workforce development, and [...]

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