America Forward | News Archive
Stephen Goldsmith Calls on State and Local Governments to Open Doors for Social Innovation
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 [...]
Continue reading...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:
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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.
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...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 [...]
Continue reading...
July 17, 2009