Our Programs In Action
We help ordinary citizens design and launch sustainable, innovative solutions to local and global challenges. Social enterprise, social business, hybrid change organization, financially sustainable not-for-profit... call it what you will, we work to build better models for leading change - making a living while making a difference.
We believe committed and innovative people change the world. The world needs genuine innovators. Innovators not only move mountains, they change the entire landscape. When we focus on important problems we have the chance to engage people across sectors, resulting in innovations for enormous social good. We increase the potential for innovative solutions in areas where good ideas are needed most.
Springboard Innovation was formed in 2004 to nurture community-led community change. We help fill the gap of learning and support for those who wish to make a difference in a new way. We invite a community members to the table who have never been invited before. We believe the answers are within us. If you have the will., we help you find the way.
Springboard accomplishes this through four core strategies: Teach, Convene, Fund, and Build. Under these four initiatives we offer programs that work together to offer both a sequenced continuum of experience and a cycle of resources that allow leaders and supporters to connect.
Local Agenda teaches community members and youth how to create meaningful livelihoods while leading change. People need to be invited to join those of us making a difference in our communities. People need to know that they can succeed. They need to acquire particular skills, knowledge and support to turn their ideas for change into successful social ventures. Local Agenda turns ordinary citizens into extraordinary change leaders..
Community members enrolled in Local Agenda envision the change they wish to make. They learn to design clear, strategic, innovative, and sustainable organizations and programs. Some become launchers of nonprofit or for-profit organizations within a year. Others transfer their new skills to their existing jobs or programs.
Springboard's Social Innovation Forum brings leaders and social innovators together to set the agenda and improve practice. Forums are designed to improve the skills of practitioners in existing or emerging change organizations. They are focused specifically on action. Speakers, panelists, and workshop providers engage the activist community and make connections for community change.
ReVisioning Value (ReVV) is an annual conference that brings the global ideas in social innovation to the Pacific Northwest. It creates a dialogue between funders, investors, nonprofits, for profits, government, and universities. Springboard believes all sectors need to be engaged in social innovation in order to create an enabling ecosystem for sustainable change.
ChangeXchange is more than just an innovative investment space. It invites community members to invest philanthropically in emerging social innovators. It focuses on the development of a new breed of change organization--one that relies on integrated income streams rather than grants. It's micro-philanthropy meets grassroots organizations.
Innovative Cities is a city model for social innovation. Social innovators need community support in many domains and on many levels. Cities are often not ready for social innovation. We believe communities require a healthy and stable ecosystem that nurtures social innovators. We identified eight essential elements that provide the needed ecosystem that will nurture and sustain social innovation.