Social Innovation Forum
On January 22, Social Innovation Forum (SIF) celebrated our graduating 2023 Innovators as they officially completed their two-year journey of the Accelerator program. These eight nonprofit organizations were selected into the Accelerator Program in 2023, which works to create a community inclusive of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and other change agents seeking to build a more equitable nonprofit sector in the region. Through the Accelerator Program, SIF helped the 2023 cohort gain visibility, expand their networks, and connect with philanthropic and in-kind resources to accelerate their work.
The following organizations comprise the 2023 cohort graduating from the Accelerator:
- GenUnity
- Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust
- Justice 4 Housing
- Ready Inspire Act (RIA)
- MissionSAFE
- The Latino Health Insurance Program
- Chica Project
- United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA)
We asked the Innovators to reflect on their participation in the program and their future plans, and here is what they shared:
GenUnity
GenUnity’s mission is activating everyday adults to create a community by everyone for everyone. They are facilitators, conveners, and space creators dedicated to elevating the lived expertise and leadership potential of everyday adults. They bring residents together across difference to build trust, collective knowledge, and power to drive change on the issues most impacting our communities.
SIF celebrates GenUnity’s undergoing a strategic integration with Partners in Democracy, onboarding of a new COO Ilona Rabovsky, and more than doubling their program participants from 140 to 300. Looking ahead, GenUnity will grow their earned revenue model and launch a new Environmental Justice program in the Fall.
Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust
Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust’s mission is to protect unique places, conserve threatened species, activate people of all ages as land stewards, and connect local residents with each other and with nature.
During the Accelerator program, the organization has more than tripled their acres of conserved land and more than doubled the number of trees they have planted. They are excited to announce the construction of a new outdoor classroom beginning in 2025 as part of the renovation of Pawtucket Farm. Additionally, they are excited to hire for three new positions with the help of the three-year capacity-building grant from the Devonshire Foundation.
Justice 4 Housing
Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for individuals impacted by incarceration and individuals criminalized for being a victim of domestic violence, as well as ending incarceration.
In the past year, the organization has served 389 people and has opened four Reentry Houses. Excitedly, they have more than doubled their budget. We look forward to seeing the organization fulfill their goal of opening two new nonprofits, Brie’s Way and Gifts to Go.
RIA
RIA’s mission is to stand with and support adults with experience in the commercial sex trade, and its associated exploitation, trafficking and prostitution by providing a range of community-based services.
RIA has worked with 91 participants this past year, including 48 in therapy. They are in the process of developing new strategic board engagement to increase individual donors, and hope to sustain their budget and grow work by building capacity related to language and gender in direct services.
MissionSAFE
MissionSAFE’s objective is to work with Boston's highly at-risk youth and their families to gain the skills and confidence to thrive, not just survive, and to improve their community and the world.
This past year, MissionSAFE has worked with 750 participants, secured 150 job and internship placements, and is in the process of upgrading their Dorchester site and adding a Roxbury site. For the first time, MissionSAFE has a waiting list of those who hope to benefit from their incredible programs. The organization looks forward to growing operations, staff, and programming.
The Latino Health Insurance Program
The Latino Health Insurance Program's mission is to offer a community based, culturally-specific program for health insurance enrollment and maintenance to minority residents in Massachusetts. They connect clients to the appropriate health care services, and help individuals to apply for food stamps, W.I.C., fuel assistance, and the Emergency Income Payment Program. They also promote a more effective use of preventive services, including health screenings, prenatal care, wellness visits, and health education, while reducing medical costs.
During the Accelerator, The Latino Health Insurance Program has increased Community Partners from 40 to 67, opened a new office for diabetes prevention and pediatric services, and is now listed as a new vocational program under the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. Moving forward, the organization is working to expand programs and increase revenues for organizational goals.
Chica Project
Chica Project's mission is to close the opportunity divide for Latinas and Women of Color by empowering them with the skills, confidence, and network necessary to thrive personally and professionally.
Over the last two years Chica Project increased alumni engagement, doubled the number of staff, and served 154 chicas in the Chica’s Bloom curriculum. They are now an approved vendor for Boston Public Schools. Next on Chica Project’s agenda is to integrate mental health into the curriculum, explore caregiver engagement avenues, and expand programming.
United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA)
UIA’s mission is to promote social and economic justice and improve the quality of life of all residents in Southeastern Massachusetts, focusing on New Bedford and Fall River. They recruit and train lay leaders and clergy to act on issues of greatest concern, founding social action on the teachings of different faith traditions.
During the Accelerator Program, UIA has hired a full-time Fall River Community Organizer, doubled the size of the Fall River Leadership Team, and contributed to the development of over 300 affordable housing units in New Bedford and Fall River. Their efforts helped pass the $5B Affordable Homes Act in Massachusetts. They increased voter engagement to nearly 2,000, as well as improved equitable access to education. Thanks to the hard work of UIA, all NBPD officers are trained in de-escalation and wear body cameras.
As part of the Accelerator program, Innovators had an opportunity to work with nonprofit consultants, executive coaches and other partners such as Opus Design, Promus+ Consulting, Goodwin, and Ariel Group. They all have been instrumental in supporting the graduating Innovators as they provide capacity-building resources including legal consulting, design consulting, executive coaching, and leadership and communication training. It is thanks to these partnerships that the graduating Innovators had invaluable opportunities, such as improving public speaking and presentation skills, expanding their professional network, building meaningful connections, meeting challenges, elevating their work, expanding their impact, and gaining the courage to tackle tough ground-breaking projects.
At the end of the event we heard from Musau Dibinga, an Executive Director of OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, proud 2020 Social Innovator, and member of SIF’s Alumni Council. She welcomed the Accelerator program graduates into SIF’s Nonprofit Network program, and said “SIF will continue to be in your corner for years to come.”
Congratulations to our 2023 Accelerator Program Social Innovators! We look forward to supporting your on-going goals and watching your growing impact meaningfully change lives in the Eastern Massachusetts community.
Photography credit: All photos by Leise Jones leisejones.com
