Social Innovation Fund Grant

1. Early Stage Consolidation  

Organizational eligibility

To apply for support, the organization should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a tested social innovation that significantly improves current practice.
• Have a committed, diverse board, and core staff leadership team.
• Have funding for current program activities plus a demonstrated demand for program expansion.
• Preference will be given to organizations that are working in one of the Foundation’s Emerging or current program areas.

In addition, we look forward to working with organizations which:

• Have a theory of change – i.e. a thorough understanding of the problem they are addressing and a working hypothesis about the difference their work will make.
• Understand that scaling up is not a linear process – that operating at a new level may involve changes to program design or organizational structure.
• Demonstrate openness to changing work culture, structures and activities.
• Are open to collaboration and learning with others.
• Can provide a frank assessment of current leadership and organizational strengths and weaknesses.

Funding exclusions

Funding will NOT be provided for:

• University-led academic research
• Pilot projects
• Strategic and structural changes due to a loss of funding (crisis management)
• Direct program costs related to expansion

2. Re-Tooling for Growth

Option 2A: Transitions to scale 

Eligible applicants

To apply for a grant in this category, applicants should address the following eligibility criteria:

• Are currently operating a successful social innovation which has been externally endorsed or supported, and for which there is growing demand.
• Have stable management and organizational structure.
• Their board and staff are committed to a sustained effort to expand the work to new locations, and modify the operating model as necessary.
• Have committed (or realistic expectations of) funding from other sources.

Funding exclusions

Funding will NOT be provided for:

• University-led academic research
• Pilot projects
• Strategic and structural changes due to a loss of funding (crisis management)
• Direct program costs related to expansion

Option 2B: Innovations at scale

Eligible applicants

To apply for a grant in this category, applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a substantial track record managing large programs.
• Are introducing a social innovation that complements existing program and organizational strengths, that would constitute a unique and significant innovation in the field.
• Present evidence of demand at a national level.
• Preference will be given to organizations that are working in one of the Foundation’s Emerging or current program areas.

In addition, we look forward to working with organizations which:

• Approach us to be part of a consortium of funders, and which plan to contribute substantial organizational resources (in-kind and financial) to the project.
• Plan to collaborate across sectors – i.e. with government and/or private sector partners.
• Have a commitment to broadly disseminate the work.

Funding exclusions

Funding will NOT be provided for:

• University-led academic research
• Pilot projects
• Strategic and structural changes due to a loss of funding (crisis management)
• Direct program costs related to expansion