FutureLab

What is your vision for the future? An online challenge for the non-profit community to chart a vibrant 2020, FutureLab is attempting to create and facilitate conversations that shape a more dynamic future for our communities. The goal is to strengthen the non-profit community rather than individual causes and missions by:

- Identifying and developing high-impact ideas and insights that have the potential to transform the charitable community in the next 10 years.

- Generate and share publicity on those insights and strategies that organizations can contribute to and draw on collective wisdom to inform their decision making.

- Build networks and strenghten partnerships by breaking down existing barriers and facilitating new connections around common goals.

Join or share your insight and draw from others' wisdom at: http://www.independentsector.org/future.html

Social Innovation Fund

A part of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) will work with grantmaking entities to fund promising nonprofits that have deomonstrated significant impacts and outcomes. Investing in the capacity and exceleration of non-profits to find community solutions to regional problems, the goal of the SIF is to create a national network of region specific yearly funding to grantmakers (that can provide a 1:1 match giving at least 85% total to non-profits). One to 10 million dollars over the next three to five years will be disseminated to the grantmakers funneled to non-profits focusing on child and youth development, education for economically disadvantaged youth, reductions in poverty, health, resource conservation and local environmental quality, energy efficiency, civic engagement and reductions in crime. The NOFA will become available during the winter of 2010. Please see nationalservice.gov for details and continued updates.