Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition

- sponsoring partners, Washington University and the YouthBridge Assocation; read more about the partnership-

In June, 2005, YouthBridge pledged $500,000 in funding over five years to help Washington University create the YouthBridge Award and the St. Louis Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition. Washington University and YouthBridge will invite other area universities, institutions, community groups and foundations to collaborate on this effort. The purpose of the competition is to stimulate activity that leads to multiple innovative approaches to the area’s social problems.

Our definition of social entrepreneurship is "using entrepreneurial skills to craft innovative processes, approaches, and solutions to help resolve social issues." In its more focused application it is the development of innovative approaches to enhance sustainability and increase capacity of mission-based social organizations beyond their traditional dependence on philanthropy and government subsidy. This may manifest itself as earned income strategies generated by social enterprises.

The St. Louis Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition -- the first of its kind in the region – was launched in the fall of 2005. Participants are eligible for a maximum of $65,000 in funding and will receive feedback from a panel of social investors and judges who are experts in social entrepreneurship and innovation. Both existing and new not-for-profit organizations are invited to participate. Washington University is working with YouthBridge and community partners to offer numerous workshops and public events to assist participants in their plan development.

About YouthBridge
The YouthBridge Association is a 135-year-old organization that was previously known as the General Protestant Children’s Home for orphans. YouthBridge’s mission evolved to fund and support multiple innovative youth-focused social ventures, some of them located on their 19 acre Creve Coeur campus. Haven House St. Louis provides services to families and patients that have traveled to St. Louis to receive treatment at area hospitals. Good Shepherd School provides innovative approaches to early childhood education and intervention services for a diverse population of children with both typical skills and developmental challenges. This inclusive environment helps develop well balanced, compassionate youths. YouthBridge also helped organize and fund the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families, LLC. It helps over 500 severely disadvantaged children and their families to become more functional and minimizes foster care and residential services. YouthBridge supported and funded ventures are designed to operate as independent entities following the association’s initial support. YouthBridge’s goal is to support ventures that can benefit from their initial support and then become self-sufficient.