Diversity & Inclusion
Entrepreneurs / Health / Nonprofits / Workplace culture / Youth

This nonprofit helps social innovators get their ideas off the ground

The DC Social Innovation Project is looking for entrepreneurs tackling youth, workforce development, or hunger and health issues. Apply for funding by July 17.

Adam Motiwala's Digital Hope, a workshop for homeless or formerly homeless writers, is a grantee of the DC Social Innovation Project. (Photo by Lalita Clozel)

The DC Social Innovation Project was launched in 2011 by former Akin Gump attorneys Darius Graham and Omar Hashmi.
They had done well and good, but noticed that too often, succeeding in social entrepreneurship required pre-existing wealth and access to networks.
“There were faces missing from the conversation,” said executive director Melissa Ehrenreich.
So Hashmi and Graham, who now directs the Social Innovation Lab at Johns Hopkins University, started a fiscal grant and mentorship program powered by donations, and a slate of pro bono consultants.
“Our job is to really help brilliant ideas become bankable,” said Ehrenreich.
Among the projects the nonprofit has helped kick off are Young Doctors DC and Food for Life, two organizations that provide training to disadvantaged youth, and Digital Hope, an online marketing workshop for people who have experienced homelessness.
Last week, the organization opened a new round of applications that closes July 17. It will select up to three ideas to address youth, workforce development, or hunger and health challenges.
Apply
Each grantee will receive a $3,000 cash grant — with the condition that it is matched “to create sustainability and attract new donors,” said Ehrenreich — plus advising, marketing and strategic planning services. The total package is worth around $25,000, she said.

Companies: DC Social Innovation Project
Subscribe

Knowledge is power!

Subscribe for free today and stay up to date with news and tips you need to grow your career and connect with our vibrant tech community.

Trending

Looking for a resilient career? Check out these 13 local orgs

How I Got Here: Det Ansinn's career as a CTO and founder taught him to prioritize the people behind the tech

Wrap up 2023 with these 11 tech events in Baltimore and DC

What will 2024 mean for your tech community? Technical.ly will explore with these 12 editorial calendar themes

Technically Media