That was the topic of conversation at Social Venture Partners Minnesota’s Engaged Philanthropy Conference.  The conference brings together people from the nonprofit, philanthropy, business, and government sectors for the day to learn, discuss and share ideas around social entrepreneurship.  The place was filled with “out of the box” thinkers dreaming of how to apply their ideas to our community’s greatest social problems.  The Minneapolis Foundation was proud to sponsor the conference and be part of this visionary experience.

I thought the highlight of the conference was the Social Entrepeneuer Cup.  Social Venture Partners has joined forces with the Minnesota Cup, a business entrepreneuership competition to create a platform for local social entrepreneurs to present their organizations, ideas and impact.  The organizations were competing for a $20,000 general operating grant and 40 hours of consulting services from experienced entrepreneurs.  The first runner-up receives $5,000 and 20 hours of services.  The other finalists receives $1,500.  The winner also gets to move on to compete in the finals of the Minnesota Cup.

A panel of judges (all fantastic locals involved in entrepreneurship and philanthropy) judged the organizations based on three criteria:

1. Social Venture Concept:  The organization must make a compelling case for why society needs the social venture and the value the concept adds to our society.
2. Innovation:  The finalist should standout from other nonprofits and have an innovative concept.
3. Social Return on Investment:  What results has the finalist produced so far and what results can it project?  Why would social investors want to fund this concept when they have so many other options?  Do they have potential to generate a social return on investment both in the near and long-term.

The audience was also given an opportunity to vote and weigh in the decision making process.

The crop of finalists were fantastic.  Here is a quick overview of each organization with links to learn more:

Admission Possible:

Each year, approximately 200,000 low-income students in the United States graduate from high school prepared for college, but don’t go. Admission Possible aims to shrink that number by providing ACT and SAT test preparation services and admissions and financial aid consulting. Their innovation is the application of national service to the issue of college access. Admission Possible enlists recent college graduates to “coach” their students as AmeriCorps members.  They recently expanded to Milwaukee and have hopes for national expansion.

Hearth Connection:

Hearth Connection proves that getting people off the streets and out of shelters into homes of their own is not only possible, but also life saving and life changing.  Hearth Connection’s network of supportive housing providers currently supports over 1,300 men, women and children, many with little or no prior history of housing stability. They finance, develop and manage a network of supportive housing providers to offer treatment for mental illness, addictions and medical problems.

Apple  Tree Dental:

The top unmet health care need for low income people in Minnesota is dental care.  Recognizing that traditional dental clinics were not reaching people with the greatest needs.  Apple Tree created the “Community Collaborative Practice Model” as a three way partnership between a group dental practice, community organization, and an on-site dental care team.  The model brings care to low-income people where they live or receive other social services and teaches healthy habits.  They also prove that expensive dental problems can be avoided with regular access to a community based “dental home.”

And the winner is . . .

Rural Renewable Energy Alliance:

RREAL installs solar heating systems for low income families that qualify for public heating assistance.  Approximately 285,000 Minnesota families are eligible for Heating Assistance, yet it isn’t a permanent solution for generational and cyclical fuel poverty.  RREAL home solar heating systems saves low-income families money while reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions; helps educate tomorrow’s leaders about solar power; localizes energy production; and creates green jobs in impoverished communities in northern Minnesota.  RREAL solar heating systems offsets as much heat in one season as a family receives through heating assistance.

A really touching moment occurred when RREAL Director Jason Edens accepted his award and choked up as he shared that he himself grew up on Heating Assistance and that he started this work in his garage. It was a powerful illustration for the crowd of what it means to be an innovator, being diligent and staying committed to your dream of a better world.

Until next year’s conference, I encourage you to look into each of these organizations and post back your dream for a better world.