Citi and Ashoka's Changemakers have launched the Changemakers Competition “Banking on Social Change: Seeking Financial Solutions for All,” a worldwide search for financial-service projects that use the transformative power of innovation and skills to achieve real economic and social change.

The competition is designed to reach the world’s entrepreneurs and challenge them to use their substantial talents and commitment to providing financial services for all. The objective is to channel the collective energy of entrepreneurial ideas and skills as a means for creating economic and social change worldwide.

"We believe this competition can help us discover new and exciting financial solutions and methods that have the potential to both improve and transform the traditional banking offerings,” said Sanjay Nayar, CEO of Citi India. “We hope that by making these innovative solutions available worldwide, we will improve economic and social change around the globe.”

Nominations are encouraged from the global community by September 26, 2008. Innovators must submit their entries by October 1, 2008. All entrants will gain exposure to new ideas, the opportunity to promote their solutions, and a wide range of access to collaborative partners and investors.

A panel of judges, comprising leaders from media, finance, social enterprise, corporate and academic sectors will select the 12 finalists. These top innovations will then be profiled on the Changemakers website where the online community will vote to select the three winners. Entries received before August 15 will be eligible to win an early entry prize of a camcorder and digital camera worth US$1,000.

“We’re looking for new financing possibilities, such as mobile banking, program investment, social financing and peer-to-peer lending,” said Ashoka’s Changemakers Executive Director, Charlie Brown. “These methods are already starting to help people better access, spend and save their money, so we want to offer them to millions more worldwide.”

Questions? Contact Delyse Sylvester, Ashoka’s Changemakers.

Social Capital Markets 2008 (SoCap08) brings together the entrepreneurs who want to change the world, and the sources of capital that want to make it happen.
 
Social capital. Doing well by doing good. Making money make change. Philanthrocapitalism. Whatever you call it, it’s the emerging approach of harnessing the power of capital to support a new breed of smart, innovative entrepreneurs committed to changing the world in big, meaningful ways.

Social Capital Markets 2008:  Where Investors and Entrepreneurs Converge
Oct. 13–15, 2008 / Fort Mason Center, San Francisco

Special Early Bird Rate for GoodCap Newsletter Subscribers: 50% off individual and organization rates until July 31st.
www.socialcapitalmarkets.net   Use code gc020    
 
At SoCap08, investors and entrepreneurs will:

• Gain the insight to better understand and leverage opportunities
• Build the relationships and networks to accelerate momentum
• Join and build a community that’s part of something big, important—and growing fast.

Highlights of the event include:

• First national conference bringing together the broad ecosystem of investors and entrepreneurs
• World-class speakers, including investors, entrepreneurs, and the organizations who support them
• “Social Capital 101” track for those new to this arena
• Innovative “connection concierges” to help you find the people you most want to meet
• Entrepreneur Showcase highlights exceptional organizations building sustainable businesses with an impact

Speakers include:
Robert Annibale | CITIGROUP
Matthew Bishop | THE ECONOMIST
Jed Emerson | BLENDED VALUE
William Foote | ROOT CAPITAL
Tim Freundlich | GOOD CAPITAL
Doug Bauer | ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS
Josh Becker | NEW CYCLE CAPITAL
Debra Dunn | SKOLL FOUNDATION
Tim Brown | IDEO
Alvaro Rodriguez | IGNIA CAPITAL
Dave Chen | EQUILIBRIUM CAPITAL
Charly and Lisa Kleissner | KL FELICITAS FOUNDATION
Carla Javits | REDF
Andrew Kassoy | B-LAB
John Simon | OPIC
Paul Polack | INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISES (IDE)
Wayne Silby | CALVERT
Betsy Zeidman | MILKEN INSTITUTE
Unitus, Google.org,  Merrill, Guggenheim, IFC, USAID, Gray Matters, Zero Divide, Adina, Better World Books
...and many more
 
To register, and for more information, www.socialcapitalmarkets.net, or email amy@xigimedia.net.

Are you involved in a social enterprise in South Africa?  Your assistance is needed with research on whether social enterprises are operating in a sustainable manner.

We are looking for social entrepreneurs who have an existing social businesses and those providing social services in South Africa.

If you fit this profile, please can you complete this survey, which should only take 5 minutes and does not require any company sensitive information: http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=1lg5hp9tkf47nsr466877

This survey is being conducted by Mike Fraser, a business student at Henley Management College in the United Kingdom.
The results of the survey will be used for a dissertation on social enterprises operating in South Africa as sustainable businesses.

The Modern Story is specifically looking for applicants who are interested in joining a fellow for the months of  October-January. Please contact us immediately if you are interested and have a background in teaching and/or digital media.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in the Fellowship (now or for the future) read more here (www.themodernstory.wordpress.com/fellowship) and send an email to Piya Kashyap and Remy Mansfield at themodernstory@gmail.com with your resume and statement of interest.

On Sunday 31st August 2008, heroes, helmets and hearts will do battle for the greatest sporting prize in the UK... to be the winner of the Shoreditch Grand Prix.

• It's a motor sport event without motors
• It demands physical fitness (or stupidity)
• It's kind to the environment
• It's a Grand Prix on kiddies fun tricycles and tractors

30 teams of heroes will be blasting around the streets of Shoreditch raising money for charities, worthy causes and social entrepreneur projects that benefit the community… it's a pedal powered race of epic proportions, mixing the glamour of Monaco, the endurance of Le Mans and the idiocy of adults attempting a street race on children's toy tricycles.

Race for good causes. Race for glory. Race for the hell of it. Just make sure you’re there on the day for the hottest sporting event in London’s calendar.

Benefiting organizations are Social Entrepreneurs - people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better. To be recognised as such, a Social Entrepreneur would need to have been affiliated with any of the following organisations: UnLtd, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Ashoka, Schwab, Skoll, Changemakers, The Big Boost.

Public Allies advances diverse young leaders to strengthen communities, non-profits and civic participation.

Program Associate/ 2nd Year Fellow (AmeriCorp)
***** The candidate must have successfully completed one year of AmeriCorps service. *****
Reply deadline: August 1, 2008

Overall activities: Recruitment of Alliance Members (Allies, Partner Organizations, Volunteers); Continue the development of Alumni Relations, Assist in facilitation of Ally/Member Training, and Team Service Project Process.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Work with Director of Ally Recruitment to develop an institutionalized ongoing recruitment strategy and engage Allies and Alumni in recruiting efforts.
• Conduct at least three outreach recruitment sessions per month.
• Work with Director of Community Relations to develop and implement an strategic recruitment Campaign of potential Partner Organizations.
• Write a monthly recruitment report on both Ally applicants and Partner Organizations.
• Coordinate and lead Public Allies Participation in three service days in collaboration with local nonprofits, neighborhood associations and other AmeriCorps programs
• Coordinate Americorps Opening Day with AmeriCorps in Illinois

Other Responsibilities
· Participate in AmeriCorps sponsored trainings.
· Assist with facilitation of Ally training.
· Participate in quarterly Ally retreats and Public Allies local and national staff retreats.
· Conduct local Alumni meetings and events
· Assist staff with intra-community and external communication (Ally Skinnies, database management, website management)
· Other responsibilities assigned by supervisor

Personal Characteristics
The successful candidate should be the following: organized, punctual, team player, independent, creative, strategic; possess the ability to genuinely encourage and apply input; demonstrates ability to take ownership for personal learning and professional growth; able to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and in a variety of environments; possess an appreciation for cultural and individual differences; able to interact with young adults in a non-traditional work environment; possess a sense of humor in order to maintain perspective and a sense of balance.

Experience: The candidate must have successfully completed one year of AmeriCorps service.
Education: The candidate should at least have a GED/HS Diploma.
Living Stipend: $16,000; $4,725 Education Award (upon successful completion of service term); health care, childcare (candidate must qualify)
Duration: The term of service is for 10 months after start date. Candidate must be available to start by September 15, 2008.

To Apply: By August 1, 2008, e-mail resume, cover letter, a 2 page essay describing; “Who you were before your Americorps service, what you learned from your 10 month experience and how you will implement those lessons learned in the Second Year Ally Position”, two writing samples (either from school or work) and two references (PROFESSIONAL ONLY, NO FRIENDS, NO RELATIVES, NO FAMILY FRIENDS) to:
ebonys@publicallies.org
ALSO please mail OFFICIAL High School or College Transcripts to
Ebony N. Scott
Director of Community Relations
Public Allies Chicago
200 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601

Being a different kind of company – SunNight Solar – focusing on people, the planet and then profits - we are set to launch ourr new SL2 (SunLight2) or SuperBoGo, solar powered flashlight in a different way as well – we are going to give them away.

 

There are no charges, nothing to buy and we will send them to you at our cost, from our warehouse in Houston, when they arrive in mid-August. Each is individually numbered – 1/500 and they are in blue ABS plastic and on the side, laser etched – it says “Changing the World – Limited Edition” May 2008.

 

We welcome requests from people who want a free light, and please send us an e-mail at info@sunnightsolar.com with the reason why we should send you a light.  We will decide who gets a light – and obviously, people who are in a position to either blog to a large audience, put out a media article, buy lots of lights in the future, are heavily involved in environmental or humanitarian work, work for FEMA, the upper management of Red Cross or Greenpeace, in charge of the US Senate’s oversight committee on incredibly large sums of money for foreign aid and really huge contracts for small businesses, the Governors of any the Gulf Coast states, the Pope, Al Gore or Angelina Jolie – all of these people are probably going to get a light and Bill Gates can have two; if they send us a request.   If you just want a free light, just because you like to get free things - I can certainly sympathize, but you are probably not going to make the cut.

Read more.

Kiva is now recruiting for its fall class of Fellows. The Kiva Fellows Program offers individuals a rare opportunity to travel abroad and witness firsthand the impact and realities of microfinance, by working directly with a host microfinance institution (MFI). The Kiva Fellow is an unpaid, volunteer based position designed to increase Kiva's impact and to offer participants a unique insider experience. Past participants have found the fellowship to be a great first step in a career in microfinance or international development.

Please visit our website for application deadlines:
http://www.kiva.org/about/fellows-program.

Successful Kiva Fellows tend to share certain skills and characteristics:
* Overseas experience (preferably in developing countries)
* High degree of flexibility, self-motivation and problem solving
* Excellent writing skills
* Enthusiasm for Kiva!
* Familiarity and comfort with various web applications
* Dedication to working in the field with a microfinance institution
* Ability and commitment to fundraise for their trip
* Sincere interest in microfinance
* Longer stays (4 months +) are preferred

Past Kiva Fellows with the following skills have found great success in the program:
* Fluency or advanced communication ability in French, Spanish, Russian, or other language in a country where Kiva has a presence
* Background in economics/finance/consulting will greatly enhance your ability to provide support to the host MFI

Kiva Fellows Program Mission Statement
The Kiva Fellows Program ignites passion in our Fellows to engage in microfinance and empowers them be a voice for Kiva and our field partners. Fellows gain in-field microfinance experience, and an appreciation of the innovative and purposeful grassroots efforts that our network of MFIs implement through their work on Kiva. Kiva motivates our Fellows to seek ways that they can add value to our partnerships and to Kiva. We challenge them to view microfinance both in its successes and struggles from the ground up.

Kiva Fellow Core Responsibilities:
The Kiva Fellow is an integral part of the Kiva Team, acting as Kiva's eyes and ears in the field and helping to extend limited resources to maximum effect. Kiva Fellows fulfill tasks set out in a Work Plan, defined by Kiva along with the host microfinance institution (MFI).

IISC is launching a new skill-building offering: Collaborative Social Change: Designing for Impact in a Networked World which will be offered in September at our learning centers in two locations:

San Francisco, California: September 16-18, 2008
Cambridge, Massachusetts: September 23-25, 2008
 
Story after story has been coming our way here at IISC illustrating the exciting ways in which new collaborative tools and technologies are allowing social change agents “to do old things in new ways and new things that we never dreamed possible.” These tools – along with network-centric ways of thinking and acting – are heightening awareness of the potential and need for collaboration in our complex and changing world. All of this comes as our understanding of the adaptive nature of social and environmental problems deepens, as our world continues to flatten and shrink, and as the very rates of change accelerate. As Clay Shirky writes in Here Comes Everyone, “We are living in the middle of a remarkable increase in our ability to share, to cooperate with one another, and to take collective action…Most of the barriers to group action have collapsed and without those barriers we are free to explore new ways of gathering together and getting things done.”

With this potential comes some anxiety and uncertainty. When everything seems possible, where and how do we begin? What are the right tools to use and in which situations? IISC’s challenge has been to figure out how to combine our deep experience in collaborative methodology, our understanding of network theory, and that growing potential of the power of Web 2.0 into our large-scale, multi-stakeholder consulting practice. In our experience, the tools for collaboration – whether we’re talking about Web 2.0 or person-to-person interactions – aid us in developing truly innovative and broadly embraced strategies. These strategies, when grounded in “the love that does justice” and new thinking, will result in much greater social impact.

And that’s what brings us to the launch of our newest offering: Collaborative Social Change: Designing for Impact in a Networked World. CSC – as we are calling it – offers you the opportunity to explore the implications of working in a world where barriers have collapsed and where people have extraordinary potential to connect in new ways. You will develop the skills to design collaborative multistakeholder processes and build networks for social change including:

•  IISC’s Collaborative Change Framework and its applications.
•  The fundamentals of network theory as applied to networks for social change and the potential power of network mapping.
•  The power of thoughtful design to cultivate and nurture networks for social change and an array of collaborative process design skills including building relationships in support of networks for social change, stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies, planning frameworks and change methods, process mapping, technical tools to support collaboration, and roles to support each phase of the change process.
•  An awareness of the impact of your deepest aspirations, sense of purpose, and sources of power and motivation on your work. 

We’re becoming increasingly and acutely aware that the global challenges we face call for something more than the focused and passionate efforts of individuals or single organizations. We must develop our capacity to collaborate and build networks in order to have the broad-based and sustained impact called for by these challenging times.

This learning experience will be most powerful if you come with a project in mind – one you’re currently working on or one you’re considering launching. And to maximize your capacity to put the learning into action, we encourage you to come with a colleague.

Our nonprofit rate for the three-day workshop is $650; the foundation rate is $1,000. For more information, or to register for the workshop, visit us at www.interactioninstitute.org or call Chris Toppin at 617.234.2750. We hope you will consider joining us.
And as always, we are interested in hearing about your successes, challenges, and thoughts on the front lines of collaboration for social change.

Social Innovation Japan invites social innovators and social entrepreneurs from around the world to attend
Social Entrepreneur Gathering 2008 on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September, 2008.

Overview of SEG 2008
Friday 19th and Saturday 20th, September
Academy Hills, Roppongi Hills, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan

The guest speaker and key note speakers are as follows:

19th Sep

• Guest Speaker

• Key Note Speaker

20th Sep

• Key Note Speaker

For more information contact:
Noriko Saito
NPO Social Innovation Japan
E-mail: n.saito@socialinnovationjapan.org

 

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
FROM SPIRITUAL VALUES TO EFFECTIVE ACTION
A weekend workshop at Esalen with
John Marks and Susan Collin Marks
November 28-30, 2008
Esalen Institute
Big Sur, California

To Register, go to www.esalen.org


There is a growing longing in many of us to do something that will have an impact on the state of the world – to be a change agent. We envision infusing our spiritual values into the world’s political, economic, and social life, transforming existing systems to create a kind and dignified world for all. We want to be social entrepreneurs.

This workshop will offer the accumulated experience of Search for Common Ground (Search), which grew out of meetings at Esalen in the early 1980's into the world's largest nongovernmental organization working in conflict transformation.  Search now has over 350 staff working in 18 countries on four continents.  The keys to Search’s growth have been creativity and nimbleness, both reflected in the range of its work, which includes TV and radio soap operas in 11 countries reaching millions of people, a project to stop the use of child soldiers, multi-ethnic kindergartens in the Balkans, a Common Ground News Service in the Middle East, the use of sports and the arts to bridge enmities throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and consensus building among polarized communities in the United States.
 
Search founder and president John Marks and senior vice president Susan Collin Marks have both been awarded prestigious Skoll Fellowships for Social Entrepreneurship.

John and Susan will guide you in focusing and defining your own vision of social entrepreneurship.  They will present the Principles of Social Entrepreneurship and, drawing on their profound experience as social entrepreneurs, offer you individual coaching, as well as drawing on the wisdom of the group.  They will lead you through the many possibilities that arise when you commit to your inner vision of social change. You will leave inspired to follow the call of your heart!

As a part of it’s effort to achieve a sustainable food system in California, Roots of Change is seeking Action Fellows who have an unrivaled commitment to bold ideas and whose leadership is a tremendous force for change.

Eligible Fellows will receive stipends and expenses to participate in intensive and facilitated leadership retreats, and will work with their peers to develop collaborative projects aligned with Roots of Change goals. Fellows will gain knowledge, build skills, identify allies, and will add to the active core of the Leadership Network.

Does that sound like you or someone you know? If so then please consider applying, or forwarding this info to the right person. Fellows must currently live in California.

Please link to http://www.rocfund.org/campaign/announcement-of-action-fellowships-2008.html for more information. Applications must be received by July 20, 2008.

Ethical Markets is presenting three Live, Interactive Webcasts featuring women angel investors who are actively seeking women-owned businesses to invest in.  Kemila Velan will be moderating while the investors will be answering questions from entrepreneurs who are trying to build sustainable and socially responsible companies for the future. It's like an online business school taught by experts.

It's FREE. All participants have to do is sign up for our free monthly newsletter to get an invitation.  Here are the details:


EthicalMarkets.com will host “The Power of Yin,” a new series of online TV shows this Fall featuring women angel investors discussing society’s greatest challenges and answering questions from women entrepreneurs about building the socially responsible companies of the future.
 
The pilot show on May 28, 2008 featured Diane Bowers of the Florida Angel Investment Network and Susan Preston of CalCEF Energy Fund answering questions like:
 
* In socially responsible investing, we have a generational view.  Does this manifest in female ventures?
* How does being a successful businesswoman affect your personal relationships?
* I am a one-person operation and know from the perspective of angel investors this may not be strong positioning for the company. What if human resources is tied into the round of funding I need?
 
Barbara Boxer, who founded Women Angels, LLC in Milwaukee, Miami and Chicago, will lead the series on Sept. 10 at 1pm EST to talk about connecting the dots for women entrepreneurs using her vast social network.
Boxer is one of the original angel investors in TEMPUR-PEDIC and owned an international mail-order business of diagnostic equipment for 25 years.
 
Hazel Henderson, creator of Ethical Markets Media and a contributor to the book, “The Power of Yin,” will be the featured guest on Oct. 8 to discuss virtual technologies and how they can reduce one’s carbon footprint. Henderson has been an investor in solar and wind companies since the 1970s.
 
The final show of the season takes place at the Investor’s Circle Conference in Boston on Nov. 12 during “Education Day” featuring MC Suzanne Biegel and 200 investors and women entrepreneurs.
 
WHAT: The Power of Yin Online TV Show
WHEN:

• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 1-2pm: Connecting the Dots with Barbara Boxer, Women Angels LLC
• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 1-2pm: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint with Hazel Henderson, Ethical Markets Media
• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 1-2pm: Education Day at Boston Harbor hotel featuring Suzanne Biegel, Investor's Circle

WHERE: www.EthicalMarkets.com/?cat=16

COST: FREE for attendees. Sponsorship opportunities available to companies who want to target angel investors and women entrepreneurs.
 
To sign up for The Power of Yin newsletter and for more information, please visit
 http://www.ethicalmarkets.com or email winwin@ethicalmarkets.com

Stories of Change: Social Entrepreneurship in Focus Through Documentary

STORIES OF CHANGE Objective:

The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program and the Skoll Foundation have partnered in a three-year initiative to explore how independent feature-length documentary film can advance knowledge about social entrepreneurship.

The Stories of Change Fund will consider independent feature-length documentary projects in all categories of development, production and post-production. Completed films are note eligible. Film projects must be completed by 2010. Grant awards will be made on a case-by-case basis and may range up to $150,000 US per film.

This is a one-time only RFP.

Grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

• All films must highlight and /or include a contemporary social entrepreneur, their organization and a focus on the issues in which the entrepreneurs are seeking a systemic and positive change.
• All films must be feature length (over 65 minutes).
• All films must be independently produced, with creative control held by the producing/directing team.
• Films must display directorial vision/aesthetic and have the potential for theatrical release.

Sundance Documentary Film Program is part of the non-profit Sundance Institute. Dedicated to the discovery and support of artists, grants will be awarded to independent documentary film projects selected from the applicants. Sundance Institute reserves the right to solicit proposals. Please note that Sundance Institute seeks no licensing rights in the documentary film projects we support. Details of the contract will be presented to projects that are finalists.

This will be a competitive fund please make sure the project is appropriate to the guidelines. Questions can be directed to dfpskoll@sundance.org.

The submission period is open from June 15, 2008 until the deadline of Friday, August 15, 2008. If you think your film meets the above criteria, please continue the online application below.

Filmmakers will be notified no later than December 1st if their submission has reached the final selection.

Learn more.

Read the FAQ.

Apply now.

The Young Professionals of Chicago is hosting a charity event on Wed., July 23 at the Metropolitan Club in the Sears Tower at 6:00 in the evening. The theme of the event is social philanthropy/entrepreneurship. There will be a panel of 3 speakers, each of whom has an inspiring story to tell about how they began their non-profit organizations.  To sign up: http://ypchicago.org/event_calendar/index.jsp#263. If you are in the Chicago area please consider attending.

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) annual conference is the premier Geography research conference in the UK and attracts over 1,000 delegates from all over the world.

The conference will takes place in August (27th-29th) and this year the research team at UnLtd are running a session on the subject of Geographies of Social Enterprise/Entrepreneurship.

For social and cultural geography, social entrepreneurs not only present the opportunity to make contributions to recent work on mobility, migration, well-being and place, and emerging geographies of the UK economy.

Topics may include:
• Geographical patterns of social entrepreneurial activities
• The role of Social Enterprise, Voluntarism and Charities in shaping places
• The concepts of space within the third sector, and how its geometry changes as result of social enterprise
• The merits and demerits of mapping social impact
• The relevance of non-spatial mapping to better understand social entrepreneurial activity.

Register now.

JusticeMakers is an international competition for innovations that end torture, arbitrary detainment, and abuse. The competition will award $5,000 to the eight best proposals for concrete, achievable action.

Announced by International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), this initiative launched on June 26th, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Participation is free, and open to anyone with an idea and a familiarity with his or her country's criminal justice system. Don't miss out! Register here. 

Important Dates:
August 14th: Application Window Closes
August 21st: Semi-Finalists Announced
Setptember 8th: Public Rating & Judging Begins
September 24th: Public Rating & Judging Ends
October 12th: Winners Announced