Government Programs Supporting Social Innovation

It is interesting to see government using its structure and position to create a platform to encourage entrepreneurs to devise alternatives to the way that government functions and how people receive needed services. The Office of Social Innovation in the White House is leading the government’s effort to fund and scale innovative social ventures. It has been exciting to read about the projects the office is funding. However, looking through the list, I was struck by how short it is. Eleven projects were funded in July 2010, as the article Social Innovation: Let’s hear those ideas, mentioned. The idea for the White House administering these grants is great, but where is the funding to allow widespread impact and truly identify the most effective solutions to our social ills? This seems to be another example of a great idea in theory, but the application has been not as effective as possible, thus limiting innovation. Another government program that fell short in funding is the governments work to recreate the Harlem Children’s Zone across the country, as President Obama campaigned upon. The Promise Neighborhood Initiative was slashed from President Obama’s request of $210 to $60 million, and thus not as many projects were funded. Until Congress realizes the role and need for social innovation, the necessary funding will not be allocated.

While I am disappointed by the scope and impact of the organizations currently being funded by the SIF, the government is funding social innovations in other capacities. One method I’d like to highlight here is through AmeriCorps. As the Center for American Progress’s report titled, Investing in Social Entrepreneurship and Fostering Social Innovation describes, “For entry level human capital, national service programs such as AmeriCorps have offered many social entrepreneurs a steady source of motivated entrants.” Furthermore, AmeriCorps has a variety of programs, some of which are social innovations in themselves. Take City Year (I was a City Year corps member for 2 years) as an example, the programs takes 17-24 year olds and places them into our nation’s lowest performing schools to serve as mentors, tutors and role models for a year of full-time community service. The model has proven successful and over 20 years has been established in 20 cities across the United States.

Another AmeriCorps program, which I came across doing research and still appears to be in development is called Innovation Corps, which fosters social innovation at the community level through the ideas of the corps members who are selected to participate. This program appears to have the potential to foster the cultivation of entrepreneurs, through providing financial support as well as through offering a network of pro-bono professional support, and events to introduce corps members to prospective supporters and implementation partners. I plan to watch this program and see how it unfolds.

How can government effectively foster social innovation in a time of budgetary constraints and bi-partisanship? How would widespread government support of social innovation and the cultivation of these entrepreneurs change the conversation on social innovation and the evolution of this field?