July 23, 2009 | Read Time: 3 minutes
President Obama announced last month that White House officials will travel the country to identify promising nonprofit groups, including “hidden gems that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve,” as part of the administration’s efforts to promote innovative social projects.
Aides will be looking “in every region of this country, because we know that great ideas and outstanding programs are everywhere, and it’s up to us to find them,” he said at an event in the East Room of the White House that also spotlighted the work of four nonprofit groups.
President Obama discussed the travels in the context of the Social Innovation Fund, which was created last spring by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to provide grants to help charities expand successful projects, or start promising new ones, to tackle national challenges in areas like poverty, education, and energy efficiency.
“We’ll invest in those with the best results that are most likely to provide a good return on our taxpayer dollars,” the president said.
He said Melody Barnes, his domestic-policy adviser, and members of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation would fan out to find “the very best programs in our communities.” However, a White House official clarified later that the tour would not be related to decisions about the Social Innovation Fund, but instead would “inform and shape the social-innovation policy agenda.”
She said the aides would “talk with community leaders and social entrepreneurs about the best ways for the government to promote greater innovation and impact in the nonprofit sector.”
She declined to give further details.
New Partnerships
Surrounded by more than 100 philanthropic leaders at the White House event, Mr. Obama said he was glad there were some “deep pockets” in the audience, as he also wants individuals, corporations, and foundations to chip in to help the administration create a “new kind of partnership between government and the nonprofit sector.”
The president said the administration would apply this “new way of doing business” across the government, citing the Education Department’s $650-million What Works and Innovation Fund, which will provide money to school districts and nonprofit groups that have demonstrated an ability to improve student achievement.
The nonprofit representatives whom President Obama invited to speak were:
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Geoffrey Canada, president of Harlem Children’s Zone, an antipoverty group that provides a comprehensive set of educational, medical, and social services in a 100-block area of Harlem. Mr. Obama has proposed developing “promise neighborhoods” across the country modeled after the Harlem project.
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Robert Chambers, founder of Bonnie CLAC, in New Hampshire, which provides low-interest car loans and financial-literacy training to low-income buyers.
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Vanessa Nunez, 19, a graduate of a training program offered by Genesys Works, in Houston and St. Paul, which helps high-school students from needy families get ready for professional jobs.
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Pat Christen, president of HopeLab, in Redwood City, Calif., which uses scientific research to develop technology to help children with chronic illnesses, and Richard Ross, 12, one of the group’s “kid testers.”
Both the president and the Serve America Act proposed $50-million for the Social Innovation Fund, which will be managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Congress has not yet allocated the money and a House Appropriations subcommittee this month proposed trimming the fund to $35-million. Assuming spending is approved, the corporation will issue a “notice of funding opportunity” in the fall, the White House official said.
Applications will be due during the winter, with money from the Social Innovation Fund awarded next spring.
Most of the money from the new federal fund will go to grant-making organizations, which will in turn award money to nonprofit groups. Matching funds are required from nonfederal sources.
