Last week President Obama hosted an event at the White House to highlight innovative programs in the nonprofit sector. The President acknowledged that in areas like education and health, the government can only do so much: "So if anyone out there is waiting for government to solve all their problems, they're going to be disappointed."
The White House now has a $50 million Social Innovation fund and will look for programs that are as impressive and effective as those highlighted by President Obama. This includes Geoffrey Canada's Harlem Children's Zone, HopeLab, Bonnie CLAC, and Genesys Works.
The "social" modifier is one that gets loosely tossed around all too frequently, but in many different areas, particular education and health, we are seeing the rise of hybrid organizational forms that seek to fill the lacunae between market and government. This is yet another instance of people seeking new ways to solve old problems, symbolizing the "pioneering spirits" the President praised that always push us forward.
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