Social Innovation Fund

I had the opportunity meet with Sonal Shah last week, new founding Executive Director of President Obama's Social Innovation Fund. I was struck by her compassion, intellect and enthusiasm for our community engagement/affordable housing preservation work. Of our help (TA and Financing) to homeowners in "mobile home parks" who want to preserve and improve their communities through community self-help and co-op ownership, she said, "This is where economics and community meet, this is amazing!"

I of course was thrilled because the SIF is a new $50MM fund looking to fund innovation in the fields of education, economic development and civic engagement. I was most surprised by the level of interest in civic engagement. It makes sense as this program was put in the same agency as Vista and Americorps for a reason. And, I think it gives all of us working at bottom us scale initiatives a reason to be hopeful. A NOFA for comments is due out tomorrow. Watch for it and respond.

I would love to hear your ideas on the SIF. It could be big for us engagers! ROC on! Paul