Glossary of Terms: Finding The Words For Social Change

Forget about the language, it’s a focus on the end result

Shakespeare once wrote, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…” Lucky for us, he wasn’t trying to define social innovation, social entrepreneurship or any of the other groundbreaking concepts used to describe operating models and leaders that make a difference.

And that’s really what the June 10 bigBANG! Event is all about – non-profits fueling their mission with business ideas and acumen, AND businesses that are doing good while doing well. Combining experts in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, DSVP has created a day of learning and sharing where we can come together as a community to explore these ideas and meet the innovators who are leading the way. Read More!

Socially Conscious Marketplace – Accepting Applications!

The bigBANG! will feature a Socially Conscious Marketplace of vendors who operate a social business or social enterprise of a nonprofit mission. Our hope is to fill it with 30+ vendors who will have products to sell and promote at the event.

There is a limited amount of space available so we will determine the vendors through an application process.

A panel will review all applications and make final decisions and announce the selected vendors on MAY 19, 2010. Read More!

Dallas Social Venture Partners Announces Three New ‘Investees’

DALLAS – After vetting a list of more than 40 proposals, Dallas Social Venture Partners (DSVP) has selected three North Texas organizations to be deemed its newest Investees and to receive funding and engagement. These organizations will join DSVP’s Social Investment Portfolio, which represents a diverse array of nonprofit agencies whose mission address at-risk youth and/or education.

Dallas Community Lighthouse, a non-profit agency that provides tutoring to at-risk youth, will receive a $50,000 investment along with “engagement” time from DSVP’s network of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations. The DSVP board also approved the establishment of a pilot program to work with KIPP Truth Academy, a college-preparatory public school that works proactively with students to achieve academic excellence, and PediPlace, a Lewisville-neighborhood pediatrician’s office for children who are uninsured or who receive Medicaid or CHIP benefits. As part of this program, both KIPP and PediPlace will receive investment and resources in the form of “engagement hours” from DSVP Partners in lieu of grant dollars.

“Welcoming new Investees is one of my favorite parts of being involved with DSVP,” said Richard Evans, the Investment Committee co-chair. “It’s more than just giving out money, it’s a new approach to philanthropy. Our partners helps local nonprofits work on sustainability with the leveraging time, money and resources.”

DSVP’s Investee process involves a committee of Partners reviewing and vetting proposals from area nonprofits through a competitive funding process. Then, the finalists work with DSVP partners to complete an Organizational Assessment administered by the Center for Nonprofit Management which helps develop a three year engagement strategy. The full partnership votes on the final “Investees” based on how the Partners think we can best help these organizations.

Meet the Innovators: Central Dallas Ministries

Central Dallas Ministries collaborates to achieve more success in every one of their 16 programs, including a groundbreaking collaboration with PepsiCo to expand their food distribution exponentially. They are also renowned for their ability to engage those they serve in volunteering at their organization. As the largest multi-service provider in the Dallas area, they see the people they serve not as “clients,” but as neighbors with immense social and human capital. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of North Texas provides one-on-one mentoring to children. They have developed strong and innovative statewide partnerships with government as well as faith-based organizations through their proven model that relates to mentoring children of prisoners through the Amachi Texas initiative. They also recognize the importance of outcome measures, utilizing randomized controlled trials funded by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Their methods are so successful that they recently received national recovery funds to do consulting and help replicate their model across the country. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Shared Housing Center, Inc.

Shared Housing Center, Inc. serves thousands of people a year through housing and follow-up support on a very limited budget. Their “Building Blocks for Success” initiative was created to evaluate their program and measure its success. Using strong partnerships for their mental health and childcare initiatives, including a mental health component on-site delivered by Parkland Hospital HOMES, they help their families focus on root causes for becoming homeless, enabling them to break destructive patterns. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Vision Regeneration

Vision Regeneration, Inc. is changing the cultural environment of at-risk youth in order to eliminate violent and destructive behaviors, helping them turn instead to lives that are productive, rewarding and spiritually enriched. Read More!

The Seeds Of Change: Youth Village Grows More Than A Garden Thanks To DSVP

They say from small seedlings grow mighty oaks. But in the case of Youth Village’s expanded community garden program, this growth is more than just a metaphor. It’s a real life example of social innovation in action!

The young men at the county detention center facilitated through Youth Village Foundation are busy planting the seeds in their own community garden complete with lettuce, squash, beans, tomatoes and much more. As part of a culinary arts program, they are learning about food from seed to table. This year, DSVP partners have approached Youth Village to expand the program and help grow the food for the upcoming bigBANG! as part of the community garden buffet at the June 10 event. Read More!

What is the future of Texas Nonprofits?

State of Texas takes our nonprofit sector seriously. So much so that they passed the monumental bill for Texas’ social sector, House Bill 492. This bill is designed to strengthen and expand nonprofits, both faith based and community based.

Yesterday, a public hearing was convened in Dallas Texas at the Center for Nonprofit Management to gather input and feedback from the nonprofit community on the obstacles and opportunities for our State government agencies to better partner and support the sector. Hosted by the Texas Health and Human Commission and One Star Foundation, a room of thirty or so nonprofit leaders provided input on things like capacity building, funding, volunteer engagement and how to achieve the most social impact.

This was a fantastic opportunity to hear poignant input as it relates to on-the-ground obstacles as well as visionary remarks from those who live and breath this work.

House Bill 492 inspired this string of public hearings happening around the state. It was designed to strengthen and expand faith based and community based health and human and social service through the renewing our communities account. (ROCA). It sets up three mechanisms to both gather input, coordinate agencies and make recommendations to our legislature.

The Commission is accepting testimonials at public hearings around the State as well as written remarks through April 20,2010. Please take the opportunity to have your voice heard as nonprofit leaders, donors, social venture partners or volunteers. This is our opportunity to strengthen a sector that consistently gives back more than it takes.

Additional information and written comments can be sent to Joanne.Pierce@hhsc.state.tx.us