Social innovation

Skoll Foundation Announces the Winners of 2024 Skoll Award for Social Innovation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Public Policy, Media, Children, Communications, Public Safety, Transport, Elections, Campaigns, Other Technology, Other Philanthropy, Government, Technology, Public Transport, Primary, Secondary, Education, Fund Raising, Foundation, Women, General Health, Men, Health, Social Services, Family, Social Activism, Professional Services, Philanthropy, Consumer, Skoll Foundation, Democracy, Organization, Social innovation, Farmer, Sköll, Hunger, Name, School, Public, Research, Policy, Child, Native, Death, Poverty, New Theatre, Jeffrey Skoll, Malnutrition, Creativity, Safety, BST, Social change, Movement, Parent, Fatality, Violence, Food, Renewable energy

The Skoll Foundation has announced the four organizations that will receive the 2024 Skoll Award for Social Innovation, which highlights leaders and organizations that advance transformational social change around the world.

Key Points: 
  • The Skoll Foundation has announced the four organizations that will receive the 2024 Skoll Award for Social Innovation, which highlights leaders and organizations that advance transformational social change around the world.
  • Every year, the Skoll Award for Social Innovation recognizes exemplary leaders and organizations creating a more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous world.
  • The Awardees will be celebrated during the 21st Skoll World Forum at the 2024 Awards for Social Innovation Ceremony, taking place on Thursday, April 11, 4:30-6 p.m. BST at the New Theatre in Oxford, England and virtually.
  • “Global challenges are mounting at an increasing pace,” said Don Gips, CEO of the Skoll Foundation.

Fundación MAPFRE names three finalists from U.S. in global Social Innovation Awards

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
General Health, Professional Services, Philanthropy, Sustainability, Technology, Environment, Health Insurance, Foundation, Green Technology, Insurance, Other Technology, Health, Innova, Sanitation, IE University, Social innovation, Partnership, Knowledge, CLIP, Quality of life, MAPFRE, Ecosystem, Multimedia, Ageing

Fundación MAPFRE today announced three projects from the U.S. will advance to its Social Innovation Awards grand finale in May.

Key Points: 
  • Fundación MAPFRE today announced three projects from the U.S. will advance to its Social Innovation Awards grand finale in May.
  • The awards, in its seventh year and launched in partnership with IE University , recognize projects with the potential for strong social impact in three categories: e‑Health, safe and sustainable mobility and the senior economy.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240318335702/en/
    The finale, held at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain, will also feature finalists from Spain, Germany, Malta, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
  • 379 projects were submitted to the competition, with 12 finalists advancing, and one winner from each category walking away with €40,000 to help fund their project.

NAFC Presents Inaugural Forum to Showcase Urban Indigenous Social Economy Initiatives

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Social innovation, National Association, Indigenous peoples, Forum, Government, Organization, Movement, Social finance, NAFC

The Forum spotlights the diverse and invaluable work done by Friendship Centres and urban Indigenous social purpose organizations to foster economic and social prosperity for and by Indigenous peoples in urban communities.

Key Points: 
  • The Forum spotlights the diverse and invaluable work done by Friendship Centres and urban Indigenous social purpose organizations to foster economic and social prosperity for and by Indigenous peoples in urban communities.
  • As the national representative body of the largest urban Indigenous social purpose movement in Canada, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) will provide a key platform to convene urban Indigenous perspectives within the Social Innovation and Social Finance (SI/SF) sector.
  • As an Investment Readiness Program funding partner, the NAFC has aimed to boost urban Indigenous participation in the social economy.
  • “We are delighted to host this inaugural event and spark a dialogue with key stakeholders for the strategic exploration of the actions needed to strengthen urban Indigenous economic and social prosperity,” says Jocelyn Formsma, NAFC Chief Executive Officer, “Urban Indigenous social purpose organizations are an important avenue contributing to collective intergenerational wealth and prosperity for urban Indigenous peoples and communities.

Advancing STEM Education: Toyota Provides Up To $9.3 Million In Arizona Schools

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Engineering, TMNA, Education, Social innovation, STEM, Dream, TFS, Computer science and engineering, Toyota Motor North America, Knowledge, Toyota Financial Services, Science, Student

CHANDLER, Ariz., March 5, 2024  /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota USA Foundation announced grants of up to $9.3 million to prepare Chandler and Tempe students for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The collaboration is part of the Driving Possibilities initiative and is a five-year phased rollout of programing in select schools.

Key Points: 
  • The collaboration is part of the Driving Possibilities initiative and is a five-year phased rollout of programing in select schools.
  • "Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work," said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation, Toyota.
  • "With nearly $2 million in the first year, and more to come in years ahead, we're looking forward to the expansion of Driving Possibilities in the Phoenix area."
  • The initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

Toyota's Way Forward Fund Announces Grants to Advance Pediatric Research, Care

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Way, Brain damage, Social innovation, TBI, University of Oregon, The Toyota Way, Health, Health equity, National academy, University, Long-term care, Mental health, CDC, Medicine, TMNA, Caregiver, Traumatic brain injury, Organization, Research, Toyota Motor North America, Nursing

"The Way Forward Fund helps the company realize its vision of creating mobility for all by implementing the Toyota Way values of continuous improvement and respect for people."

Key Points: 
  • "The Way Forward Fund helps the company realize its vision of creating mobility for all by implementing the Toyota Way values of continuous improvement and respect for people."
  • The recipients will use the grants to advance pediatric TBI care in their areas of specialties.
  • "Through a community-based approach to care, the Way Forward Fund leverages Toyota's partnerships, know-how, support and connections to drive new ideas," said Douglas Moore, executive director, Way Forward Fund.
  • This is the second round of grants awarded through the Way Forward Fund.

VSU AND JMI PRESENT THE 2nd ANNUAL BIG DIPPER INNOVATION SUMMIT, JANUARY 11-12, 2024

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Culminating project, Virginia State University, Music, The New York Times, JMI, Dipper, Culture, Social innovation, HBCU, Health, Symbolism, Big Dipper, Artificial intelligence, VSU, Human, Blueprint, Social capital, Coffee, Cultural capital, Entrepreneurship, Organization, Management

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JMI and Virginia State University (VSU) launch the 2nd annual Big Dipper Innovation Summit – From Insight to Impact: Innovation for All – Thursday and Friday, January 11 and 12, at VSU's Multi-Purpose Center, located at 20809 2nd Avenue, Petersburg, VA, 23803.

Key Points: 
  • RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JMI and Virginia State University (VSU) launch the 2nd annual Big Dipper Innovation Summit – From Insight to Impact: Innovation for All – Thursday and Friday, January 11 and 12, at VSU's Multi-Purpose Center, located at 20809 2nd Avenue, Petersburg, VA, 23803.
  • The Big Dipper is a multifaceted experience encompassing moderated panel discussions, live entertainment, networking, and more.
  • This summit serves as a destination for creators, entrepreneurs, big dreamers, big thinkers, makers, and curators who seek conversations about innovation, new ideas, and the next frontier across major industries and emerging markets.
  • The full schedule is available on the Big Dipper website .

20/20 Onsite Expands ‘Vision for Boston’ Program to Provide Eye Care to More Schools

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023
Children, Clinical Trials, Health Insurance, Philanthropy, Health, Consumer, Other Philanthropy, Foundation, Optical, Learning, Social innovation, Student, Glasses, School, Warby Parker, New England College, Boston Public Schools, Paratriathlon, NECO, NPS, Insurance, Nursing, Knowledge, Vision, Eye, Patient, BPS, Organization, Retina, Child, Life

The program, called Vision for Boston, brings eye care to students in their schools.

Key Points: 
  • The program, called Vision for Boston, brings eye care to students in their schools.
  • All students in participating schools are eligible to receive eye exams at no cost to them, regardless of their insurance coverage.
  • "We are incredibly proud to continue this program and bring eye exams and glasses to students who need them,” says Sonali Bloom, CEO of 20/20 Onsite.
  • Several school districts have partnered with their school board or have successfully applied for grants to bring this program on-site.

Global university rankings now include social impact: African universities are off to a strong start

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Knowledge, Research, Good Health, College and university rankings, Policy, Attention, Education, Health, SDG, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, Makerere University, Stellenbosch University, Work, Solution, Worldwide Universities Network, Learning, QS, Social innovation, Sustainable development, University, Time, Student, Teaching, Poverty, Goal, SDG3, KNUST, Society, Quality, Sustainable Development Goal 1, ICT, Investment, UN, Sustainable Development Goals, Climate change, Retail, Pharmaceutical industry, Tourism, Renewable energy, Hunting, Tutoring, Management, Technology, African

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, for instance, South Africa’s University of Cape Town is top for the continent, at 167th place.

Key Points: 
  • In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, for instance, South Africa’s University of Cape Town is top for the continent, at 167th place.
  • It is followed by three other South African institutions: Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand, which sit between 301 and 350, and the University of Johannesburg between 401 and 500.
  • The first sub-Saharan non-South African institution, Ghana’s University of Cape Coast, is in the group 601-800.
  • Several institutions, such as the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, have even withdrawn their participation from some rankings.
  • Responding to the challenge of sustainable development is an especially pressing concern for African universities.

A mandate and a mission

  • Many African economies have grown rapidly in recent times, but sustainable development challenges remain.
  • Conflict over resources and the effects of climate change are also major challenges.
  • So it is very welcome that several African universities place well in some of these new impact rankings.
  • Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), meanwhile, scores top for its contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Filling the gaps

  • Research on the roles of universities in their communities, including and beyond teaching and research, has focused on the global north.
  • This relatively limited attention may reflect wider inequalities in global knowledge production, and negative perceptions of the work African universities do.
  • We want to address these gaps.
  • We will use a social innovation perspective to investigate how African universities are contributing to achieving the UN SDGs.
  • The research will be pursued in collaboration with the WUN Global Higher Education and Research (GHEAR) network which also provided funding for the project and all authors.
  • Nothing to disclose.

California teacher's family engagement efforts earn national honor

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Family, Learning, Child, National Center for Family Literacy, Toyota Motor North America, NCFL, East Leeds Family Learning Centre, News, Conference, Organization, Garden, Social innovation, Environment, Student, Teaching, Poverty, School, Astronomy, Parent, Tutoring, Nursing, Tourism

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sergio de Alba of Los Banos, California has long recognized the power of family engagement to create stronger families and stronger communities. For twenty-two years, he's been committed to helping families in his rural farming community build deeper connections with their school and to creating an environment where all cultures, needs, and backgrounds are embraced. His success in this effort earned him the title of 2023 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year, a national designation that recognizes outstanding educators who are exceptional in engaging families in learning.

Key Points: 
  • LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sergio de Alba of Los Banos, California has long recognized the power of family engagement to create stronger families and stronger communities.
  • "For nearly three decades, Toyota has partnered with NCFL to recognize and celebrate successful family engagement programs across the country," says Goss.
  • "Time and again we've seen the power of family engagement to impact student achievement and kickstart a legacy of multigenerational educational success.
  • As runner-up, Dr. Tyner will receive a $5,000 grant award to support her family engagement efforts.

Government of Canada invests in over 400 projects through the Investment Readiness Program

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 23, 2023
Government, National Association, Council, Government of Canada, Ecosystem, Peptide synthesis, Housing, Black, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Social inequality, Thought, IRP, Investment, Organization, Federation, Community, Furniture Bank, Social innovation, Social change, Growth, Organic, Employment, NAFC, Poverty, Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Women's Foundation, Climate change, Renewable energy, Drug, Management, Recycling

The Investment Readiness Program has played an integral part in strengthening the social finance ecosystem in Canada."

Key Points: 
  • The Investment Readiness Program has played an integral part in strengthening the social finance ecosystem in Canada."
  • "We are so grateful to the Government of Canada for the generous contribution from the Investment Readiness Program.
  • The Investment Readiness Program conducted a successful pilot program from 2019 to 2021, investing $50 million in 680 social purpose organizations across Canada.
  • The Investment Readiness Program was renewed in 2021 with the investment of an additional $50 million, which was distributed to 460 social purpose organizations across Canada.