Have an idea but a lack of funding is making you feel stuck? Here are some opportunities you won’t want to miss:
2014 Prize in Creating Shared Value
Did you know the company that brings you Crunch, Cheerios, and more also has a sweet spot for social innovation? Every other year Nestlé highlights local efforts making positive impact.
Next Century Innovators Awards
Funding makes the social innovation world go round. (Photo via B Tal on Flickr’s Creative Commons.)
The Rockefeller Foundation turns 100 years old this year. To celebrate, the foundation “is calling on the ingenuity of innovators to chart new paths that will transform the lives of billions working in informal economies across the globe.”
Contrary to stereotypes, young people today don’t all play video games or ignore the news. The Peace First Prize honors youth who are committed to the triad of compassion, courage, and collaborative change in their community or school.
Run by the Whole New World Foundation, this online contest seeks ideas for life-saving innovations that prevent child mortality before the age of five.
Do you know of more opportunities? Leave them below in the comments!
The awards below might not be handed out at this venue, but they're still pretty special. (Photo: Flickr user p-a-t-r-i-c-k, via Creative Commons)
The Academy may be out of golden trophies for the year, but it’s not too late to recognize the Artists, Iron Ladies, and Beginners making a difference at your organization or in your community. Here are three contests open now; click a title to get all the details.
CTK Foundation’s “Heroes with a Heart”
Nomination deadline: February 29, 2012
We heard about this one via NTEN’s Facebook page. From the awards site:
The CTK Foundation presents the Heroes with a Heart (HWH) grant award in celebration of the unsung heroes of the non-profit world. Five “heroes” who have exceeded all expectations in giving of heart, mind and hands to their non-profit will be awarded personal cash prizes to spend any way they wish.
Nominations from any country are welcomed. Learn more and hurry – the nomination deadline is this week!
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From the site:
Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under…In 2012 (up to) five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast.
Applicants must be 25 or younger and be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada. More info here.
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Nomination deadline: April 1, 2012
We learned about this one via Twitter today. You can nominate someone who fits into one of three categories:
Be sure to take a look at the Award Guidelines page.
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Know of other awardscurrently accepting nominations to recognize people and organizations making the world a better place? Leave a comment below!
Image by GlobalX, who helped review Echoing Green applications in 2007 (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Need funding and mentors to get your social change project off the ground? Here’s a handful of contests and fellowships we’ve spotted recently. If you know of others we should promote, leave a comment below.
Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition
Women for Social Innovation’s Turning Point Prize
Want to support an issue you care about or help someone get the recognition they deserve? If you’re the type to ask for a power saw for your birthday or get riled at the racetrack, then the following might interest you:
Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action program
Think this mega home improvement store only exists to help you tile your bathroom? Think again. Company associates don their trademark orange apron well after the workday ends to help economically disadvantaged vets and their families build better houses. Home Depot features four team projects each month, and is asking you to vote on Facebook which one nails it. Winning project receives a $25,000 gift card at, you guessed it, Home Depot. You’ll have the opportunity to vote every month until February next year, but this month’s deadline is June 30.
Hammer this into your brain: apply soon! Photo by David Blaine (Flickr/Creative Commons).
GQ’s Better Men Better World Search
The Gentlemen’s Fund, the men’s magazine’s philanthropic arm, is on the hunt to put the “good” in good looking. The target? Ordinary dudes in the U.S. who are at least 18 years old and are making a difference through charity, volunteerism or community involvement. Winner receives a glossy package: a donation of $10,000 to a charity of his choice, a promotional in GQ, a trip to NYC to be honored, $2,000 pocket cash, and a Movado watch. May the best man win. Deadline to apply is July 6.
NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award
These prestigious car racing fans aren’t just about speed and glory; they’re also about driving change in their communities. U.S. NASCAR fans who are 16 and older and champion children’s issues are eligible to receive a $100,000 donation to a youth charity of their choice. The victory is certainly sweet: winner also receives a 2012 Ford Explorer and all-expense paid trips to both NASCAR race weekend and the Spring Cup Series Champion’s Week for their charitable efforts. Three finalists will also get in on the action. Deadline to apply is July 18.
Right now, over 200 million people are without a viable way to make a living, and millions more are in less-than-desirable working conditions around the globe.
Yet it’s not hopeless. With so many brilliant entrepreneurial minds out there, Ashoka and the eBay Foundation believe solutions are possible.
Image via changemakers.com
The Powering Economic Opportunity: Creating a World that Works competition is open to individuals, organizations and collaborations who think they have what it takes to create sustainable employment opportunities in vulnerable communities around the world. Anyone can submit their idea in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Five winners will each receive US $50,000. The deadline to submit is June 15.
Stand-out entries will be those that have shown impact, are ready to be replicated elsewhere, and play nicely with others to expand their reach. The creativity is astounding so far. There’s everything from a historic center in Cuba to a farming magazine in Tanzania to a women’s swimming project in Sri Lanka.
So, entrepreneurs: get to it. Employ your imagination, and be a part of helping to bring the jobless millions down to zero. Coming up blank? Share your opinions on the entries themselves, and wage your bets on the best ideas by voting for who will make it to the first round.
Want to do some good in the world but could use a little help? Check out these contest folk and grantmakers who want nothing more than to give you their money:
Total amount of cash up for grabs in this post: $157,000. What are you waiting for? Photo by Yomanimus (Flickr/Creative Commons).
Rice Award
Are you a professional between the age of 18-30 who is making some serious headway in the field of global development? Apply to receive a $1,000 grant, an inscribed plaque you can bring home to mom, and an honorary year-long membership to the Society for International Development (SID). Caveat: applicants must have an affiliation with SID. Deadline is April 29.
BE BIG in Your Community Contest
For over 50 years, Clifford the Big Red Dog has been making children laugh with his larger-than-life antics and saving them from the doghouse by imparting kind lessons. Everyone big and small is invited to submit their ideas on how to use Clifford’s positive traits to better their neighborhoods. Grand prize is $25,000 with smaller amounts given to second and third place. Added bonus: Scholastic, HandsOn Network and American Family Insurance will work with the winner to ensure their idea comes to life. Deadline is June 17.
Back to School 2011 Contest
Tired of teen pop stars like Justin Bieber overtaking folders, notebooks, pencil pouches and more? Instead of doodling in class, use your creativity to design artwork that inspires action in your community related to education, environment, peace and volunteerism and a healthy lifestyle. Do Something and Staples will give the winner the opportunity to see their designs in Staples stores nationwide and a $1,000 scholarship toward school. Applicants must be between the ages of 13-25. Deadline is July 22.
PandoProjects
The folks behind this new NYC-based nonprofit believe solutions start with you. Anyone over the age of 18 can submit their ideas on any issue in the five boroughs – although the target demographic are tech-savvy Gen Y do-gooders. The selected handful of emerging leaders will each receive $5,000 plus tools, guidance and promotion to help execute their project within six months. The first wave of awesomeness is currently underway, but look out for the second one starting in July.
