For too long, governments, foundations and everyday donors have funded programs based on the number of people served or isolated stories of success instead of evidence of actual impact and outcomes on people’s lives. As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to using taxpayer dollars effectively, along with encouragement from the Congress in the recent appropriations bill, we are thrilled to announce the Social Innovation Fund’s inaugural Pay for Success Grants Competition! The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will be open until July 31, 2014.
Pay for Success (PFS) is an innovative way for governments to partner with philanthropic and private sector investors to create incentives for service providers to deliver better outcomes at a lower cost—producing the highest return on taxpayer investments. The concept is simple: pay providers after they have demonstrated success.
The goal of this competition is to encourage the implementation of PFS strategies to enhance the reach and impact of innovative community-based solutions that have compelling evidence of improving the lives of people in low-income communities. In addition, we hope this competition will help the field become more aware of the conditions in which PFS strategies can scale evidence-based practices, drive better outcomes and achieve greater cost efficiency for preventative social service interventions and services. If you are an organization that is seeking ways to bring new capital and added rigor to the social sector, or if you know one, the PFS grant competition is open and waiting for high quality applicants. Get started!
Michael Smith Director, Social Innovation Fund Corporation for National and Community Service
CEO is one of the top four $500,000 winners of the Google Social Impact Challenge! CEO’s expansion in the Bay Area is a result of the Social Innovation Fund, REDF, and the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation.
Check out the Corporation for Supportive Housing’s toolkit, which includes tools, resources and best practices for the supportive housing industry.
REDF’s 2014 Social Enterprise Expo video shows how jobs can transform a life. Watch it here.
MDRC released its first publication on Project Rise, a SIF/CEO-funded program that serves disconnected youth.
GreenLight Fund is focusing on three high-need issues in Philadelphia – youth exiting prisons, teacher development and retention and early childhood education. Learn more.
AIDS United’s report from its Technical Summit on Women, HIV, and Violence proposes a two-pronged strategy to develop best practices to serve women at-risk for and living with HIV who have experienced violence. Read more here.
KIPP DC and the Urban Alliance Foundation, subgrantees of Venture Philanthropy Partners, are helping graduates after they turn their tassels. Read VPP’s blog post.
National Fund for Workforce Solutions is scaling what works through twenty-one partnerships with local key businesses. Learn more.
Here’s an overview of recent SIF travels to spotlight our grantees, encourage investment in solutions that work and learn and share with pioneering social innovators nationwide.
Michael led a session on “The Social Innovation Fund’s Impact on United Ways” during the United Way’s Community Leaders Conference along with grantees United Way of South East Michigan, Mile High United Way and United Way of Greater Cincinnati. (National Harbor, MD)
Michael joined White House Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson in Detroit for a My Brother’s Keeper community listening session and site visit to SIF/LISC grantee SER Metro Detroit.
Michael spoke about Opportunity Youth and Social Innovation policy at FSG and the Aspen Institute’s “Catalyzing Large Scale Change: The Funder’s Role in Collective Impact” conference with Results for America CEO Michelle Jolin, Forum for Youth Investment CEO Karen Pittman and several grantees and partners, including VPP, Mile High United Way and United Way of Greater Cincinnati/STRIVE. (Aspen, CO)
Michael gave remarks on investing in results and moving from social innovation to social impact at the Social Innovation Summit at the UN in New York, NY. He also had the opportunity to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange with social innovators from across the country. Check out the video!
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