StartSomeGood: The Blog

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

The Elevating Impact Summit, hosted by the Portland State University Impact Entrepreneurs, will inspire you with new ideas for working with purpose. Meet other bold, creative thinkers as they show how they have dared to make a difference in the world. You’ll get to hear keynote speaker Eric Dawson share his inspiring story of how he started the Peace First Prize to eradicate youth violence, watch the Pitch Fest live and cheer on your favorite up-and-coming social entrepreneurs, and speak with hundreds of other groundbreaking entrepreneurs who know what it’s like to overcome the difficulties that go along with starting a business. Register by May 21st for the early bird discount and join a group of amazing changemakers on June 21st for a day of celebrating new approaches to creating social impact across sectors.

Spend 5 months in Nairobi engaged in holistic, future-oriented training endorsed by leaders across social, business, education, and government sectors. The Post-Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Management will give you the training necessary to be a effective social change maker and the intensity is the equivalent to that of a 2-year traditional master’s degree. The Amani Institute offers this unique, field-based program and only 15 spots remain for these pioneers of impact. Are you one of them?

Vibewire is calling for ideas that could change the future. All changemakers (30 and under) who are looking to launch creative projects with social impact are welcome to apply and compete for $2,000 in seed funding and a membership to the Vibewire Innovation Lab co-working space. If selected, you’ll have the chance to pitch your idea at the Pitch the Future Event at the Vivid Festival of Ideas in front of Sydney’s creative and changemaker communities on May 30th.

Walkability is about destinations. If you live in a walkable neighborhood, walking becomes a part of life and not merely an optional leisure activity. WalkDenver is helping enhance the walkability of cities and raising awareness to the fact that people will walk when there is somewhere to walk. Join the Better Block Event in Five Points on May 11th to highlight this neighborhood in an effort to enhance its walkability.

May 17th is Food Revolution Day! Join the Food Revolution and take a stand for good food and essential cooking skills. This is a chance for people to come together and share their kitchen skills, food knowledge, and resources as a way to raise awareness of the importance of good food and better food education. Cook it, share it, live it—take a stand against processed foods that are helping fuel today’s obesity epidemic and help us get back to the basics.

Shawn D. Ross

I am a Northwest Native living in Washington State. A graduate of Washington State University and University of Phoenix with degrees in Architecture and Education I write about social, cultural, and personal improvement on the StartSomeGood Blog and SDRinspire. I am also a filmmaker and owner of Giraffe and Penguin Productions, a single daddy of two beautiful children, avid reader, writer, and hat wearer (Not in that picture but believe me, I wear ‘em). I am currently at work on my first feature length documentary. Follow me @shawndross and visit my websites: sdrinspire.tumblr.com and giraffeandpenguinproductions.tumblr.com.

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email Nicole (Nicole @ StartSomeGood.com) or find her on Twitter @nricchio to connect with us.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Are you ready to mingle with representatives from organizations like Catchafire, The Future Project, Reboot, The White Roof Project, NY+acumen, and GOOD? All of these NY based organizations are either hiring or looking for volunteers. New Yorkers, this is your chance to network with some great organizations on Thursday, March 21 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Join Be Social Change and Green Spaces as they host the Made in NY Happy Hour. Just $15 gets you in the door and includes food and drinks.
The world’s biggest social enterprise event, The Social Enterprise Exchange is happening at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center in Glasgow on Thursday, March 21. There is still time for you to book a spot as a supplier, exhibitor, or as a delegate to attend this amazing event. There will be a plethora of high-profile speakers, master classes, workshops, and engaging discussions throughout the day. Come share your passions, meet new global contacts, and be inspired by all the social impact happening around the world.
If you’re in LA, come join Philanthro LA @ Cat and Fiddle in Hollywood for a #SocEnt Mixer on Tuesday, March 19 starting at 6:30 pm. Enjoy happy hour all evening as Unlikely Heroes, a non-profit dedicated to the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation, is featured and Philanthro celebrates its 6-year anniversary.
Lyel Resner, Co-Founder at Startup Box South Bronx, is teaching Doing Well & Doing Good: Opportunities in Social Innovation through Skillshare on Monday, March 18. Participants will learn about some of the leading players working in the social innovation space and how to find a job in this highly sought after field. This class is for anyone looking for meaningful work while still being able to pay off those pesky student loans.
West coasters, check out Right From the Start, an interactive panel discussion, on March 19 at HUB San Francisco beginning at 6:30pm. Free for HUB members and only $10 for non-members, this event will include conversations and breakout sessions with experienced social entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders.
Are you an undergraduate in the greater Boston area looking for a boot camp focused on social venture creation and developing career-relevant changemaker skills? Ashoka’s Youth Venture Be A Changemaker Boot camp is a day-long boot camp where you are invited to present your venture ideas, connect with prospective mentors, and learn about Philips’ organization management strategies and career opportunities. As a participant, you will have access to training, support, and resources, including fellowship opportunities and loan capital of up to $1,000 to start a venture. All of this happens April 3, 2013 and space is limited so register today.
TheSustainable Innovation Competition is still open for last minute entries. The deadline is 5pm today. This is a call for entries to indentify new solutions to help improve the environmental sustainability of commercial building envelope performance. Now is your change to pitch your innovation to the UK’s leading commercial property owners and investors. Full details are available here.

Shawn D. Ross

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Do you have a social entrepreneurship news story or an event you’d like to see on the StartSomeGood Blog? Email the details to Nicole or find her on Twitter @nricchio and she’ll be happy to review it.

Let’s Start Some Good: What’s Next in 2013

At the beginning of 2012, we released an eBook filled with goals and predictions in the coming year for a group of truly special changemakers. The response was so inspiring, we decided to keep the fun going and create another in 2013. Our second eBook highlights the predictions and goals for 2013 from a fresh new bunch of amazing social entrepreneurs who raised funds on StartSomeGood.com last year.

“What do we think is coming next in 2013? We believe crowdfunding will grow in prominence and that more and more people will see it as a viable path to launching a social enterprise. This will fuel an explosion of innovation and experimentation in the social change space, putting the power to create the future back into communities around the world.

Our goal is to launch hundreds of world-shaking projects this year spanning every part of the globe, positively impacting millions of lives. If you have an initiative we can help please get in touch and together let’s make 2013 a year for starting good!”

- Tom and Alex from the introduction to the eBook.

Let’s StartSomeGood: What’s Next in 2013 by StartSomeGood

This year’s eBook includes contributions from the following social entrepreneurs:

Devin McIntire of Real Good Food who raised $8,409 to connect people to better food in their communities.

Weh Yeoh of WhyDev who raised $4,745 to build an international support network for isolated aid workers.

Jennifer Windrum of SMAC! who raised $35,681 to bring SMAC! Sock Monkeys Against Cancer to life.

Anais Tuepker of Preciva who raised $11,430 to fight cervical cancer worldwide with a revolutionary screening test.

Nathaniel Houghton of Congo Leadership Initiative who raised $1,153 to inspire 100 young leaders to empower their communities in the Congo.

Devin Thorpe who wrote Your Mark on the World and raised $2,745 to complete this book and help you leave your mark on the world.

Surabhi Pudasaini of GalliGalli who raised $10,145 to map and open-source the transportation systems in Nepal.

Katherine Hallaran, Melina Chan, and Justin Lorenzon of Kinyei who raised $18,105 to promote responsible tourism and community development through social business in Battambang, Cambodia.

Kelsey Brannan of Labor of Love who raised $16,500 to produce a documentary to preserve the history of lesbian communities in Washington DC.

The Center for a New American Dream team, which raised $8,720 to complete the Guide to Going Local, a Community Action Kit designed to help individuals strengthen their local economies.

We want to give a very special thank you to our awesome designer Kris Holbrook for her amazing work putting together this eBook.

StartSomeGood News

Let’s Celebrate! Recently Tipped Campaigns…

Jennifer started Sock Monkeys Against Cancer (SMAC!) for her mother who lives 1,200 miles away from her and has lung cancer. Because of the distance, Jennifer wanted to make sure her mother would have a “buddy” she could hug and remind her that Jennifer is always with her, especially during her treatments. SMAC! is a gang of monkeys that provides tangible support to those with cancer, reminding them that no one fights it alone. Two prototypes are complete with many more designs planned to help battle all types of cancer. Following the model set forth by such companies as TOMS shoes and Warby Parker Eyewear, every monkey purchased will ensure a second monkey will go to someone else with cancer. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will go to cancer research and programs. SMAC! has raised over $28,000 to launch the program and mass produce the first two prototypes—NoMo, who fights all cancers and Pheonix who is dedicated to SMAC!-ing lung cancer. Funds will cover production, packaging and shipping of approximately 500 monkeys.

The Do Good Bus is back at it again, this time in Orlando, Florida. The Do Good Bus recruits Do-Gooders from all over the country and helps hook them up with volunteer opportunities in a social setting. Last year, the Do Good Bus raised over $100,000 for a cross-country tour with Foster the People to pick up volunteers in various cities and help them find meaningful volunteer work in their neighborhoods. In 2013, the Do Good Bus will be traveling to 5 different cities and the first stop is Orlando. The team wrapped up strong, raising $1,685 to rent a bus, purchase volunteer supplies, and cover the production team’s travel expenses.

Brand New Good! StartSomeGood’s Newest Campaigns…

A Cup on the Hill is a non-profit organization helping youth with and without disabilities gain access to the workforce. A Cup on the Hill’s first social venture is a coffee shop in Kansas City. Youths aged 16-25 will work in the café, learning, volunteering, and receiving on-the-job training, paid employment, and responsibility education for 6-12 months. Working with local farmers markets to get the freshest ingredients and sourcing coffee from the local KCK roaster for gourmet coffee, the shop will be able to offer customers several options for enjoying their coffee brew. Many wonderful incentive packages exist for those who support the project, including coffee packs and prints and drawings from local artists. When A Cup on the Hill reaches its $10,000 tipping point goal, the coffee shop can become a reality!

Creating the Future is a nonprofit living laboratory for accelerating social change by encouraging dramatic community improvement via social change and nonprofit organizations. With two successful campaigns already under their belts, Hildy and team are no strangers to StartSomeGood. The Changemaker Scholarship Campaign has a goal of adding jet fuel to all social change efforts. From intensive webinar classes to one-of-a-kind, week-long immersion courses, Creating the Future’s classes teach change makers how to make the dramatic difference they dream of. This scholarship helps offset tuition for all Changemaker Education Classes, ensuring finances are not a barrier for anyone who wants to learn to change the world.

Conor Creighton and Renata Har are an artistic duo highlighting human rights violations by creating a world where no stories go untold. They are putting together a traveling exhibition on corrective rape in Cape Town. Corrective rape is an endemic in South Africa so rampant that statistics show a rape occurs every 26 seconds. Corrective rape is an attempt to change someone’s sexual preference by extreme force. Mafuane and Thandiwe are two lesbian women from Cape Town who want to share their stories with an international audience to bring awareness and an end to this brutal practice. The exhibition features photography, recordings, documents, film, and text. The tour starts in Cape Town and then goes through Dublin, Berlin, and Sao Paulo, with plans of reaching more countries after this initial set. The $2,000 tipping point goal will allow for a smaller-scale version of the exhibition, but the total funding goal of $5,000 will enable Conor and Renata to share the full exhibition with as many countries as possible.

The Community School of Midwifery aims to tackle the midwife shortage worldwide. The world is estimated to have a shortage of 25,000 midwives by 2020. Through making midwife education more accessible, the Community School of Midwifery hopes to reverse this shortage. About to begin its second year of operation, the school’s education program is evidence-based, holistic, comprehensive, and sustainable. Bringing this model to other communities and adopting a clinical component the will ensure midwives across the nation the best possible training. Where is Your Community Midwife? This campaign needs at least $4,000 to file as an official 501(c)3 organization, upgrade its distance learning technology, purchase teaching aids, and start an effective marketing campaign to attract new students.

Saving the World T-Shirts is a socially responsible company founded on the idea that ethical and compassionate business practices make the world a better place. This organization is developing a network that raises awareness for great nonprofits. To make this happen, Saving the World T-Shirts needs money to begin an advertising campaign to support more of these amazing nonprofits. For every item Saving the World T-Shirts sells, they donate between 25% and 50%—sometimes even 100%—to these nonprofits. The range of supports depends on several factors, including what percentage the nonprofit spends on programs and their range of influence. The company is growing through dedication and a tiny bit of financial backing, but to meet the team’s goals and achieve their mission, they need to begin advertising, something they have not been able to afford yet. Just $1,500 will ensure Saving the World T-Shirts can spend the minimum amount on ads to ensure free account management services from Facebook. The total funding goal will allow for the same deal on Twitter.

The Vassar Haiti Project seeks funding to construct a kindergarten space in Chermaitre, Haiti. In 2008, the Vassar Haiti Project built a school for 250 elementary school students in the rural village of Chermaitre, Haiti. However, the kindergarten classes were still held in the neighboring church. In March 2012, the church was hit by a severe storm which caused one of the walls and parts of the roof to collapse, leaving the kindergarten students without a safe classroom. As a result, the need to construct a safe classroom has become urgent. Sixty kindergarten-aged children are without a learning space, but through this campaign you can give them a brand new kindergarten classroom and a chance at an education.

Shawn D. Ross

I am a Northwest Native living in Washington State. A graduate of Washington State University and University of Phoenix with degrees in Architecture and Education I write about social, cultural, and personal improvement on the StartSomeGood Blog and SDRinspire. I am also a filmmaker and owner of Giraffe and Penguin Productions, a single daddy of two beautiful children, avid reader, writer, and hat wearer (Not in that picture but believe me, I wear ‘em). I am currently at work on my first feature length documentary. Follow me @shawndross and visit my websites:sdrinspire.com and giraffeandpenguinproductions.tumblr.com.

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Are you inspired by all this good? What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign.

What Made You Want to Change the World? Cecilia Dinio-Durkin of Women’s Work

Two weeks ago we asked our community of changemakers, “What was the defining moment in your life that made you want to change the world?”

Last week, we previewed some of the many inspired responses and today we’re excited to announce the contest winner!

Cecilia Dinio-Durkin is the Founder and Owner of Women’s Work—and this is her story.

So many people aspire to be entrepreneurs but have a tough time knowing how to get started. If this sounds like you, I’m hoping my personal account will compel you to take that next step and follow what inspires you.

My “Aha” Moment in Africa

My “Aha” moment was in 2003 when I met the San Bushmen women in Botswana. As a travel writer, I was lucky enough to be assigned articles throughout Southern Africa—seeing beautiful landscapes and awesome wildlife, staying in incredible resorts, but no matter where I went and what I saw, it would be the women I met along the way that resonated with me the most—amazing painters, basket weavers, potters, and, most notably, ostrich eggshell bead makers.

I traveled to a region more remote than I’d ever been before. I rode hundreds of miles from a paved road and had no water, no electricity, and, it goes without saying, no cell phone coverage. I had to bring my own water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. With virtually no trees in the desert, I had to bring firewood for cooking, warmth, and light. Food had to be canned or nonperishable—no electricity meant no way to keep meat or milk fresh for more than one day. Nevertheless, off I went with a nonprofit San Bushmen advocacy group to meet the first peoples, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari.

The brilliant light, the crisp temperature, the whipping winds were bringing tears to my eyes—or so I thought. Only when I heard my own sobs did I realize I was actually crying. I found myself deep in the heart of the Kalahari Desert, both literally and truly. For the first time in my life, I found myself, among my peers.

Like the women who stood before me, as a freelance journalist, I earned money at the whim of others, I chose to care for my children myself, rather than leave their upbringing to another, and I wanted to raise them in a safe environment, far from the confines of a city. I saw this same sentiment in the women I was meeting for the first time. We were all one and the same.

Trading Places

Needless to say, I came back from this trip completely transformed. My husband took one look at me and asked, “What happened out there?” And so I told him—I found what I’d been looking for. I felt that every step I’d taken, every job I held, each experience that came my way—all helped lead me to that very moment. And so, we moved. My husband, children, dogs, and I packed up our life in the capital of Botswana to move to the desert. We would live in the last house with electricity and running water. We would live among the San.

As the marketing consultant for this nonprofit San Bushmen advocacy group, I was able to help create a logo, help with branding, set up email, a website, a brochure, and, with a grant from a Danish company, a marketing plan to launch the crafts in the USA. But things didn’t always go smoothly and money from the nonprofit was erratic. I felt a for-profit model would prove sustainable in the end—women working for themselves, not asking for handouts and not reliant on charity.

And that’s what I did. I left the nonprofit and formed my own company where I bought the crafts directly from the women in hopes of creating a sustainable and empowering business model for the women and me.

The products, as it turned out, would be the purest form of Fair Trade. Artisans using a renewable resource, creating traditional items that helped to preserve their culture, getting paid for their talents, and not harming the environment. There was no forced labor and, quite frankly, the production of the craft kept the skill strong among the women who could then pass it onto their daughters.

My husband, children, and I benefited in many ways by living this simpler life with the San peoples. We escaped the rat race, had very few expenses, spent a great deal of time together, and lived in a gorgeous, pristine setting where we were welcomed by the community. We loved it there.

But, as a year went by and no progress was made to sell outside of the region, my husband and I made the difficult decision to return to the USA. We told ourselves, of course we hadn’t been able to effectively sell a product no one had ever heard of—we were just too far away. Once we moved back to New York, all would fall into place.

We bought as much of the jewelry and other crafts as we could and with much regret, we headed back to the States to start a wholesale business, confident we had a product and a story that no one could refuse.

The Store’s Story

My confidence dwindled quickly.

I had no idea how to begin. I contacted the high end stores I knew in Manhattan, but no one ever returned my calls. I sent samples, emails—nothing. I went to stores I frequented but got only a lukewarm reception. But then I signed up for a craft fair and the jewelry sold well. The reaction I got from one-on-one sales was very telling. No one could sell this jewelry unless it was me because it was my story coupled with the San Bushmen women’s story that made for an interesting product.

I reluctantly decided to open my own store. As luck would have it, a friend had some space she could rent in the back of her storefront. I took it and, as they say, the rest was history…or at least her-story. Women’s Work was born.

Women’s Work Worked!

I firmly believe that if I had named the store something else, I would have closed years ago. I knew my market—women’s empowerment. Women helping women is a niche that is still going and growing strong.

As a woman business owner involved with importing to the US, I was invited to participate in a USAID program in Pakistan, then an expo in Guatemala, and most recently a buying trip to South Africa—all paid for by governments trying to promote trade in their country.

I joined the Chamber of Commerce in the areas I had my stores. A year later, I was nominated to be on the Board. I applied for Fair Trade status and a year later I was appointed to the Executive Committee. I joined a women’s association and a few months later I was chairing an initiative that would win a Best Practice Award from the UN.

With every milestone, I sent out press releases—with a good story (a feel good story at that), I was in every local paper, regional TV show, and even made it into USA Today. I was given an award for innovative business within the first year of my store opening. I received the Best of the Hudson Valley award for Best Boutique with Heart. This year, after serving on the committee to organize the Hudson Valley’s International Women’s Day event, I was named a nominee for the International Athena Award, an award given to a woman (or man) “honored for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.”

I accomplished all of this in a relatively short amount of time, I’m convinced, because I had a clear message, a concise mission, and concrete merchandise, bringing that Aha! moment to my audience efficiently and effectively.

An Aha moment is like a blinding white light, a flash of lightning that strikes someone to their core. Not only should your product/program/plan be that moment of clarity for you, but it should resonate true for others. You should pass that electrifying energy on each and every time you tell it. So true should your message be that each person who hears it can’t help but say, “Aha” as well.

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Has Cecilia’s story inspired your Aha moment? What good do you want to create? Visit our site to learn about how to start your own campaign to change the world.

What Made You Want to Change the World?

Every changemaker has that “aha” moment when he or she decides they want to change the world. Mine came a few years back when I started grad school and met a professor who inspired and encouraged me to fight for what I believe is right. Everyone here at StartSomeGood—we are all so inspired by our community of changemakers. We wanted to hear from you, so on Facebook and Twitter we asked, “What was the defining moment in your life that made you want to change the world?”

All responses were entered for a chance to win a consultation with StartSomeGood team members on how to refine their personal growth story and have it featured on the blog. Originally, we wanted to share just the one winning story on the blog, but we read so many powerful and inspiring stories, we decided we had to share a few more. So, listed below is a small sample of some of the great stories that our community of changemakers shared with us. Take a look at a few of the many amazing responses we received and for a full list, don’t forget to check our Facebook page!

Seren Pendleton-Knol @serenpk
“I was 8 when my church had a petition to ban a gay pastor. I told my family we weren’t going to that church again. We didn’t.” Seren now works as a Youth Development Worker at San Mateo County Youth Commission.

Alexandra Adler @alexandraadler
“Saw ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ at age 17 and realized that climate change was the defining problem of our time!”

Jacen Greene @jacengreene
“Business trip to Kolkata. Stopped at the door of my luxury hotel after work, turned away, and walked into nearby slum instead.” Jacen runs a consulting firm for social enterprises.

Cecelia’ Dinio-Durkin’s moment occurred while in Botswana where she realized “ …that women around the world all wanted the same things—to raise children in a safe haven, to be appreciated for our contributions, acknowledged for our actions, to live our chosen, desired way of life.”

Jullieann Mercer couldn’t recall that exact moment because she decided at such a young age:
”I grew up in a poor neighborhood and raised by my young single mother and grandmother in the 60’s. With the civil rights victories growing and programs to help people rise above their circumstances well funded—I had the benefit of being involved in a world where those around me were on fire with the desire to leave a better world.”

Janice Prudhomme found her inspiration through her 15-year-old mentee:
“But the moment, the moment was when I got home from that first session with her and caught my face in the bathroom mirror: I realized my life was never going to be quite the same - I had crossed a threshold and I understood those lightbulb metaphors, because I felt lit up from within. I now am in SF and working to help women, children & families in NonProfit community.” Janice is the Executive Director for the National Council of Jewish Women San Francisco Section.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who responded—you are all true changemakers. We received so many truly beautiful responses—it was so difficult to choose just one winner. I know you’re probably on the edge of your seat wondering who we chose! No worries—check back next week for part 2 of this post to hear from the winner as he or she shares the full story of when they truly decided it was time to transform into a changemaker.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Tom Dawkins, our co-founder here at StartSomeGood, will be speaking at Social Traders’ Crowdfunding for Social Impact Workshop on October 12th in Melbourne from 10 AM to 1PM. Tom, along with Kyle Gussett, a successful crowdfunder for Ton of Wool, will be facilitating this workshop geared towards individuals with an idea for social enterprise who are ready to engage in conversation and receive feedback on their ideas so they can begin a successful crowdfunding campaign. So join Tom and Kyle for an afternoon of learning and collaboration—come ready with a developed idea so you can start developing you crowdfunding campaign with them.
Are you a data hacker looking to increase global integrity? Testing123:Global Integrity Innovation Fund is looking for new ideas that align with their mission and have the resources to back it up: could your idea benefit from a $10,000 grant? If all this sounds appealing to you, apply by November 16th—still plenty of time!
Social Impact Exchange is holding a business plan competition and looking to identify organizations that demonstrate impact and want to start good through new initiatives. This competition is open to US-based non-profits with a focus in education, youth development, health, poverty alleviation or community development. Participants will receive training and feedback on their plans and access to resources to help them achieve the next step successfully.
If you’re searching for networking, resource, and support opportunities that will help make your social enterprise dreams a reality, then look no further—#SocEnt Weekend has everything that you are looking for. This Seattle meet up provides an opportunity for social entrepreneurship newbies and the experts of the field to come together and build ideas. Don’t miss this great opportunity and join other social innovators at the Seattle center this Columbus Day weekend.
Happy Birthday Kiva! Celebrate 7 great years with the Kiva New York Lending Team this October 20th. Kiva is proud to be a support group, empowering social entrepreneurs around world. Kiva will be celebrating on the second floor of The Central Bar and you are invited to join—buy tickets to support Kivaonline or at the door!
So you want to be a Changemaker. Are you a Starbucks Partner or university student with an idea to create change in your community? Then join Ashoka Canada for Be A Changemaker Bootcamp on Saturday, October 13th in Vancouver for a chance to learn about social entrepreneurship, become a changemaker in your community, and compete to win $1,000 in seed funding to start implementing your change. This event is free, but you must RSVP by tomorrow, October 6th, to participate.

Rachael Casagrande

I am currently working towards a BS in Information Design and Corporate Communication at Bentley University. Before college, I hadn’t any idea where I wanted life to take me so I decided to just let the wind blow me around a bit. The following summer, I shipped myself off to Romania through Learning Enterprises where I volunteered running English camps. The children I met there made me realize how much just one hello, one meal, or one hug can really grow change in someone’s life. After coming back to the US I’ve been keeping myself busy working odd jobs, studying and taking every opportunity I can to mesh my business degree with my love for positive change.

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Dreaming bigger and bigger, TED Prize is dreaming for a wish that can inspire the world. Have a bold and creative idea that you believe can change the world? Visit the TED Prize website, make a wish, and then nominate yourself or someone else for the TED Prize. You could win the $1 million award and the support of the TED community to help make your wish come true.
Ashoka Changemakers and SAP have partnered up to bring us The Power of Small: Entrepreneurs Strengthening Local Economies competition. This competition is seeking innovative strategies that help small businesses thrive in developing and underserved communities. Entries will be accepted through September 5th. Have questions? Contact connect@changemakers.com or visit the website for more information.
Devin Thorpe, author of Your Mark on the World, former senior executive and newly self re-invented social entrepreneur guest writes for Forbes, sharing his expertise on success. Read Devin’s article How To Succeed At Social Entrepreneurship—Top Three Tips From a Former Corporate Exec for advice on your business plan, customer focus, and execution. Devin’s success has an especially warm place in our hearts here at StartSomeGood. He ran a successful campaign with us, raising funds for his book and he also recently interviewedwith us for the blog.
Sick of wondering whether or not, as a consumer, you’re supporting ethical business practices? Well then this tool is for you. This GPS social enterprise finder, Social Impact, will lead you to restaurants, coffee shops, caterers, and other businesses in-line with your values. With this new app, guestimating business practices will soon become a nuisance of the past.
Calling all high performing African entrepreneurs with a history of positive social impact and excellence in business. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship is seeking icons of entrepreneurial success in Africa. Described as ‘the Oscars’ of business and entrepreneurship in Africa. The deadline for entries is August 31st. Visit the website for an application or a nomination form send it into info@africaawards.com.

Rachael Casagrande

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

Build your knowledge and experience with social ventures and maximize your social impact when you enroll in University of Florida’s experiential remote course “Venture Planning for Social Entrepreneurs”. UF has partnered with Ashoka’s Youth Venture to offer this fantastic opportunity for students to earn credits and address a social, environmental or economic problem that is close to their heart.
Join the conversation on SocialChange.is and share your ideas, your stories, and lessons you have learned on your journey for social change. This site will give you the opportunity to discuss and learn about the other’s social initiatives on an innovative and new social platform.
Ashoka Changemakers is offering full scholarships for 3 innovators for “Technology, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship”, an online course offered through TechChange and the Amani Institute. Applications are open through September 17^th.
Mashable has announced its Social Good Summit, which will be held September 22nd-24th in NYC. Mashable, one of this generation’s leaders in social media and technology is excited to facilitate discussions about how social connectivity is going to change the world as well as women’s economic empowerment, citizen involvement in media, global health, and other topics in social good. Purchase tickets for the event today! Can’t make the commute? Then Take Action and create your own Mashable Meetup.
Echoing Green has compiled a preview of Jonathan Lewis’ video series “iOnPoverty”. Check out the blog for candid, honest, and helpful advice for aspiring changemakers on topics including sacrifices, purpose, happiness, generational differences, failure, and humility.
Al Bruno, cofounder of the Global Social Incubator shares “10 Life-Or-Death Lessons for Social Entrepreneurs”. As a guest writer for Forbes, Bruno shares his knowledge of business and social entrepreneurship for a bunch of great tips for anyone looking to develop a successful business plan.

Rachael Casagrande

This Week in Social Entrepreneurship

After a successful tour through New York City, Adventures in New Giving is now in Boston from July 19th through the 23rd and will then travel to St. Louis for July 24th and 25th to network with local supporters. Nathaniel raised $10,191 from 150 backers on StartSomeGood to make this tour a reality! Interested in learning what his campaign is all about? Contact Nathanial James or check the website to learn more.
SS48 Melbourne is now accepting applications until August 3rd. Participants will work in teams looking for innovative yet legitimate solutions for social problems. At the end of the event, teams will present their findings to a panel of judges. Does SS48 Melbourne sound like it suits your passions? Apply before August 3rd and get ready to be amazed by where your talents and creativity can lead you.
KaBOOM! says it starts with a playground—everybody loves playgrounds. Are you ready for the KaBOOM! 2012 Playground Challenge? Get involved, join the challenge, and have a blast with your family visiting as many playgrounds as you can! Participants will be entered into weekly drawings and will earn points towards the Grand Prize—a week-long trip to Washington DC! It’s time to get outside, enjoy the summer weather, and have some unforgettable playground adventures.
Tune into “Are you a Social Entrepreneur?” live chat on July 26th at 2 PM EST. Register now for the chance to discuss the meaning of social change and social entrepreneurship with Abby Chroman, a leader at Ashoka Global Fellowship and Nell Edgington, the President of Social Velocity.
Ashoka Changemakers is hosting a multilingual six-hour Twitter conference covering Technology & Financial Inclusion, Financial Livelihood and the Future of Financial Inclusion Innovation. #SocEntChat is a real-time discussion—join in by logging on to Twitter at 8am EST on July 25th and following the hashtags #SocEntChat and #G2012FinIncl and sending your questions to @changemakers.
TEDxManhattan is pleased to announce an open call for speakers for Changing the Way We Eat 2013. TEDxTalks are famous for their impact and high quality. Interested? Apply as soon as possible to be considered for the event.

Rachael Casagrande

posted 20 July, 2012
by nricchio
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Posts tagged changemakers