As a thank you to our community, each week we’re highlighting interesting organizations and opportunities that you’ve shared on our website. Because of you, Idealist.org is a hub for people who want to create a better world. Thank you.
Shining a light on today's star: YOU! (Photo Credit: Spigoo, Creative Commons/Flickr)
As part of my job at Idealist, I review organizations before they can join the site. That means that hundreds of amazing organizations cross my desk every week, and I get to take a peek at the great work they’re doing. I was looking for a new organization to highlight this week for our blog, but I got a bit excited (you’re all so amazing!) and chose three.
Though most of you know Idealist.org as a great resource for non-profit careers, we also include for-profit businesses on the site that have a social mission or provide services to social-mission driven organizations. Here are some of the newest members:
The [i4c] Campaign supports early stage companies that foresee (get it?) a better future for our cities. This year’s campaign is based in Denver and provides mentorship, marketing, and funding for Denver area based “impact entrepreneurship:” innovative business models that aim to improve their community by solving a social or environmental problem. By partnering with public venues, national and local sponsors, and these early stage companies, the project seeks to foster an “entrepreneurial ecosystem” in which new ideas and models can thrive and flourish. Organizations apply, ten finalists go to the summit, and three are selected for investment and marketing. This year’s finalists include a business that turns housing projects into hands-on classrooms for future construction and design professionals, a company that creates sustainable agriculture solutions, and a business that provides nonprofits with an affordable software system to collect data from their stakeholders.
Greenstart is also looking to change the world through innovation and entrepreneurship. This company is fighting the global energy crisis by running an accelerator program for start-ups at the intersection of IT and green technology. Any business that includes software and increases the usage of clean energy or reduces the usage of “dirty energy” is eligible. If selected, the entrepreneurs move to San Francisco to work with Greenstart’s all-star team for coaching on everything from product development to funding to legal help. At the end of the three month program, the start ups pitch to hundreds of investors at Demo Day.
And speaking of energy, technology, and world saving, check out:
This social enterprise creates and distributes lighting and phone charging products specifically for low income populations without access to electricity. The company believes that energy access is critical to economic development, and they seek to alleviate “energy poverty.” Their products replace the dangers and inefficiencies of traditional kerosene lamps with clean, compact, and affordable solar powered products designed to target developing nations. The company also partners with local NGOs to help distribute their products to those who need them most.
Welcome, guys! Keep up the good work.
And if you know an organization that’s not on Idealist, tell them to create a profile. I’d love to see what they’re up to, and so would the rest of the Idealist community.
