SIF Announces the 2018 Social Innovators

The Social Innovation Forum (SIF) is excited to announce the selection of eight nonprofits for our 2018 Social Innovator cohort. Over the next two years, the Social Innovators will receive financial and capacity-building support valued at more than $150,000 to help them gain visibility, expand their networks, and strengthen their impact.

Each year SIF works with a group of funding partners to define social issue topic areas or "tracks" for that year's nonprofit accelerator program, and after a six-month evaluation process, one Social Innovator is chosen on each track.

"We extend a warm welcome to our newest group of Social Innovators," said Social Innovation Forum Executive Director Susan Musinsky. "Our team, consultants, in-kind partners, and volunteers are excited to work with you over the next 24 months to help you accelerate the important work your organizations are doing in the community." 

2018 Social Innovators

Lead Sponsors: The Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation, the Devonshire Foundation, and the Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation

ACT Lawrence
Establishing Financial Education as a Building Block for Success
Track Partner: MassMutual Foundation

Community Boating Center
Advancing Education in New Bedford
Track Partner: Schrafft Charitable Trust

Fathers’ Uplift
Anything Goes: Innovative, Effective, and Sustainable Approaches to Our Region’s Toughest Issues
Track Partner: Boston Open Impact*

GreenRoots
Improving Access to Healthy Living
Track Partner: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

PAIR (Political Asylum / Immigration Representation Project)
Promoting Successful Advancement and Integration for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers 
Track Partner: Immigrant and Refugee Funder Collaborative**

Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Supporting Accessibility and Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities
Track Partner: Liberty Mutual Insurance

The Renew Collaborative (a program of HomeStart)
Addressing Homelessness in Massachusetts
Track Partner: Highland Street Foundation

Strategies for Youth
Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration
Track Partner: Stifler Family Foundation

Evaluation and interview committees made up of more than 90 social issue experts from the business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors spent six months reviewing a pool of 155 applicants and interviewing finalists to select the 2018 Innovator cohort. We will officially welcome the new organizations into the SIF community at our 14th Annual Winter Reception held on Thursday, December 7 at the Microsoft NERD Center.

Watch for upcoming information on our March Social Issue Talk series, which offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about these social issues from the Innovators and expert guest speakers.

Also, save the date for SIF’s 14th Annual Social Innovator Showcase on May 14, 2018, where each of our eight Innovators will deliver a five-minute pitch, telling the story of their organization's work and impact, and inviting potential investors and supporters to become involved.

* Boston Open Impact: Daniel and Elizabeth Jick, Jeffrey and Kim Kushner, Andrew and Suzanne Offit, Robert and Amy Rands, Steven and Ellen Segal

** Immigrant and Refugee Funder Collaborative: the Ansara Family Fund, The Barr Foundation, The Clowes Fund, Hyams Foundation, Landry Family Foundation, Macomber Family Fund, Suhrbier Family Fund, and Tomfohrde Foundation

Help us support these eight groups and the 106 organizations in our alumni portfolio!

Please consider making a contribution to the Social Innovation Forum in your year-end giving. Your tax-deductible contribution to the Social Innovation Forum helps accelerate the progress and amplify the impact of local nonprofit organizations with innovative solutions to greater Boston's most challenging social issues.