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Here at the Social Innovation Fund, summer is on our minds, and in between making grant decisions and planning for our annual meeting in September, we’re looking forward to…
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Getting to explore Central Asia on my honeymoon to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. – Anna
- Not one, but two tropical beach getaways with friends, relaxing, enjoying the beach and sun.– Doug
- Thinking about the great memories made celebrating Colombia’s great World Cup football success in Columbia during my honeymoon in Cartagena. – Keisha
- The sheer delight of watching my kids play in DC’s various and wonderful waterparks – Kirsten
- Warm weather, cookouts, and spending time with family and friends. – Lois
- Less traffic and easy, breezy commutes thanks to Congressional recess and summer vacations.– Michael
- BBQ ribs, enjoying being outdoors during the summer, and the crab season (each month that does not contain an ‘R’). – Pat
- As a new DC resident and investigating all the city has to offer…food, museums, parks, hikes, etc. – Rose
- Lots of camping – Steve
Have a great summer, friends! Enjoy some downtime – even scientists say you need it!
 Michael Smith
Director, Social Innovation Fund
Corporation for National and Community Service
Pay for What Works, When it Works
Monday August 4, 2014 is the last day to apply for the SIF Pay for Success grant competition. Pay for Success is an innovative approach in which government partners with philanthropic and private sector investors to create incentives for service providers to deliver better outcomes at a lower cost. To help understand Pay for Success, read these infographics from the Rockefeller Foundation and Next City. Stay tuned to learn about the inaugural class of PFS grantees.
Grantee Spotlights: GreenLight Fund (uAspire) & Capital Impact Partners (Homestead Community Land Trust)
The GreenLight Fund creates the local infrastructure needed for social entrepreneurs to spread their solutions-driven, evidence-based and high-impact nonprofit models from one community to another where there is unmet need. With their Social Innovation Fund investment, Capital Impact Partners’ Cornerstone Homeownership Innovation Program (CHIP) provides grants to homeownership programs across the country that preserves long–term affordability and community stability.
A Strong Field Framework for SIBs
A look at the strengths and weaknesses of the US Social Impact Bond (SIB) field framework, and where we need to build capacity to establish SIBs as a viable financial tool.
MDRC, CUNY, and CCRC Receive Grant from IES to Evaluate the CUNY Start Program
Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, City University of New York, and the Community College Research Center received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to evaluate an innovative pre-matriculation program for students with significant remedial or developmental needs.
Field Notes: Corporate Ventures in Social Impact
More companies are delving into social responsibility via venture investment and innovative products.
Echoing Green Announces 55 New Fellows Ready to Change the World
The three 2014 cohorts of Global, Open Society Black Male Achievement and Climate Fellows are on the forefront of promising ideas for social change.
June 16: Points of Light’s National Conference on Volunteering and Service (Atlanta, GA) - SIF Director Michael Smith joined with Youth Build, Reading Partners, and National College Advising Corps, to lead a session entitled, Evidence: Get It or Get Left Behind.
July 15: Presidio Institute Cross-Sector Leadership Fellows Meeting (Washington, DC) - SIF Program Officer Kirsten Breckinridge participated in a week of learning and sharing in our nation’s capital, including visits to McKinsey, DC Central Kitchen, the Innovation Lab at the Office of Personnel Management, and the White House. Michael joined Kirsten at the White House where he led a panel on Innovations in Social Finance, featuring colleagues from Calvert Foundation, Global Giving, and the White House Social Innovation Office.
July 17: Capital Impact Partners (Chantilly, VA) and its subgrantee City First Homes (Washington, DC) -SIF Program Officer Keisha Kersey conducted a grantee site visit. Thank you Jenee Kresgee and Hong Ly!
July 21-22: Mile High United Way, and its subgrantee, Clayton Early Learning (Denver, CO) -Keisha conducted a grantee site visit. Thank you Lindsay Morgan Tracy and team!
July 23-24: New Profit’s Pathways Fund Annual Convening (Boston, MA) - Kirsten represented the SIF at the gathering of New Profit’s SIF subgrantees.
July 25: Next Generation of Government Training Summit - Michael provided a keynote speech entitled The Road to Success: No EZ Pass in the HOV Lane, discussing social innovation, cross-sector partnerships, and the need for more fearlessness.
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