Monday, January 31, 2011

White House Announces Startup America Partnership to Foster Innovative, High-Growth Firms in United States

 
Entrepreneur Steve Case to Chair new alliance; Kauffman Foundation CEO Carl Schramm named founding board member

Commitments secured from major corporations to accelerate entrepreneurship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. and WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as part of President Obama's national strategy to stimulate economic growth and the creation of quality jobs, the White House announced the launch of the Startup America Partnership. Chaired by Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, CEO of Revolution LLC and chairman of the Case Foundation, the Partnership will receive launch funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Case Foundation, and act as an independent private-sector alliance intended to dramatically increase the development, prevalence and success of innovative, high-growth U.S. firms. Carl Schramm, CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, will serve as a founding board member of the effort.
The Startup America Partnership will work closely with the White House to advance the goals of its Startup America initiative. The Partnership will bring together top entrepreneurs, start-up firm funders, CEOs, university presidents, foundations, and other leaders to help entrepreneurial companies start or grow. Partners (including corporations, foundations, startup funders, CEOs and others) will contribute funds to existing proven models or develop new programs and efforts to help entrepreneurs.

"America's story has been forged in large part by entrepreneurs who have against great odds created innovative products and services that have changed the world - and created millions of jobs," said Steve Case. "Our nation once again looks to these creative risk-takers to unleash the next wave of American innovation, and I am pleased that President Obama has made supporting and celebrating entrepreneurs a major priority of his economic strategy. I am honored to chair the Startup America Partnership, and look forward to working with the White House to champion the creation of new start-ups, and help accelerate the growth of speed-ups."
 
"We are pleased to help lead this partnership," said Carl Schramm. "At Kauffman, it is our mission to develop and fund programs to support entrepreneurs, and to help educate policymakers about the role entrepreneurship and innovation play in our society. This partnership will bring together partners from across the private, public and non-profit sectors, working together toward a common goal: supporting the entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of our economy."

To date, more than a dozen firms and organizations have joined the Startup America Partnership. They include the following commitments:

Increased corporate investment and support for startups from companies such as Intel, HP, IBM, Facebook, and others, including:

Intel Capital will commit $200M of new investment in U.S. companies.  Senior Intel leadership will also serve the Startup America Partnership and share best practices from years of successful programs designed to support Intel portfolio companies. 

IBM will invest $150 million in 2011 to fund programs that promote entrepreneurs and new business opportunities in the United States.

HP is investing more than $4 million in 2011 in the HP Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE), a global program launched in 2007 that uses educational and technology outreach aimed at helping entrepreneurs and small business owners create and grow commercial opportunities.

As part of Facebook's ongoing commitment to encourage entrepreneurs, the company will launch Startup Days, a new series of 12 to 15 events around the country designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to expertise, resources and engineers to help accelerate their businesses.
 
To foster entrepreneurship through higher education, as part of its overall $50 million commitment to entrepreneurship, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation has announced a $5 million expansion of the Blackstone LaunchPad program piloted at two Detroit colleges. Based on a model created by the University of Miami, LaunchPad will be replicated over the next five years in five other distressed regions around the country.
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a nonprofit that provides entrepreneurship education for at-risk high school students from low-income communities, is launching new programs supporting young entrepreneurs and their teachers. Ernst & Young LLP will honor NFTE youth entrepreneurs at regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award® galas across the country, bringing important attention to the next generation of young entrepreneurs. The Pearson Foundation is working with NFTE to build its Digital Teacher Network, a free online community for teacher collaboration and training that will be used not only by NFTE's 5,000 certified teachers but also by any educator interested in entrepreneurship. Google is sponsoring two new efforts in NFTE's Bay Area programs: The Flat Classroom Exchange will allow local educators to team-teach the NFTE program in real time and leverage each teacher's individual expertise, while the Makers Class project will integrate NFTE's curriculum with invention and engineering lessons. New Markets Education Partners is providing NFTE with seed capital to launch in 2011 an interactive, online business planning course and social network connecting mentors, teachers and students.

The Startup America Partnership will continue to marshal private-sector resources to spur entrepreneurship in the U.S. with a focus on three key areas:

Acceleration and Scale: Replicate successful community-based entrepreneurship accelerator programs; encourage increase in experienced mentors to support startups and encourage partnerships with large companies to serve as customers or funders of current firms.

Education: Identify resources to help expand high-impact entrepreneurship education throughout the country
Commercialization: Increase the number of colleges and universities committed to commercialization outcomes, through efforts that include clearing the path to market for primary research, supporting the extension of successful accelerator programs, and spurring regional ecosystem development, faculty engagement, and streamlined technology licensing.

For more information about the Startup America Partnership and to see a full list of partner commitments, visit www.startupamericapartnership.org and follow the Partnership on www.twitter.com/startupamerica and www.facebook.com/startupamerica

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Community-Based Environmental Grants - Informational Webcasts Scheduled


 

 

EPA Seeks Applications for Community-Based Environmental Grants

Grants will help communities address local health and pollution issues

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available in 2011 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.  CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources to protect people's health.

EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels.  Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities.  Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, identified the priority toxic risks in their communities, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self- sustaining.

In 2010, EPA's CARE program distributed $2 million throughout 14 communities.  Among the grant recipients, projects included tackling drinking water and stormwater pollution, solid waste, and toxics issues in Cordova, Alaska; addressing air and water pollution sources, municipal solid waste collection and chemical releases in Ashland, Ky.; targeting pest and solid waste issues in New York, N.Y.; tackling air pollution and land use issues in Detroit, Mich.; focusing on threats from lead in paint, mold, and hazardous household products in Gary, Ind.; and addressing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and poor waste management in Kansas City, Kan.

 

Since 2005, 81 communities in 39 states and territories have used CARE grants to help reduce pollution and protect people's health.  A recent evaluation by the National Association of Public Administrators (NAPA) recognized the CARE program as a solid tested framework for engaging communities and other stakeholders.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 22, 2011, 4:00 p.m. EST.  
 

 

EPA will conduct three webcasts to answer questions from prospective applicants about the application process on February 8, February 23, and March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

More information about the grants and webcasts: http://www.epa.gov/care

 

 Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.


 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Hospitality Education And Retail Training (H.E.A.R.T.) - Leavenworth KS

Hospitality Education And Retail Training (H.E.A.R.T.)
 

Are you between 19 and 25 years of age

and need a job?

 

Come to H.E.A.R.T. Orientation

 

Thursday, January 13, 2011    10:00 a.m.

 

Kansas City Kansas Community College Leavenworth Center

225 Cherokee Street

Leavenworth, Kansas  66048

 

Learn how the H.E.A.R.T. program can launch your career in

hospitality and retail service!

 

Gain national certification

 

Classes start in February                No cost to you!

 

To enroll now: Call 913-288-7660 or www.kckcc.edu
 

                      

                                Kansas City Kansas Community College

                7250 State Avenue • Kansas City, KS 66112

                              "An Equal Opportunity Educational Institution"        Funded in part by the Department of Labor

                     Please share with others who may interested

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Social Enterprising vs Traditional Nonprofits

Long gone are the days where you just start a nonprofit, get tax-exempt status and philanthropists, donors and good-hearted givers just beat down your doors to help you grow your cause through financial support. In times of great distress comes challenges; and opportunity. Traditional nonprofits have seen their fundraising efforts curtailed by the current global economic instability and that can only mean that many of the smaller, more grassroot organizations are operating on survival mode at best. The question becomes 'how can I reconfigure my agency to prosper in prevailing times'?
 
Over the past 17 years that I have been managing a nonprofit agency, I have done my best to not think of building an organization needy of contributions and grants, but to foster the same entrepreneurial spirit that is as traditional as apple pie. No nook or cranny was off limits to analyze for its potential to help us meet our mission. And the most important mission of all is keeping your doors open so that you can help the people your have dedicated to serve. Although not appealing to all, public advocacy has its ups and downs. If you go after big targets be sure that there will be ramifications for taking a stand, and if you remain silent on the issues and causes most dear to the people you serve you are not doing them any justice and should therefore close your doors.
 
As the world turns, the most challenging of times are upon us. Agencies that refuse to 'think outside the bow' and those that stay the course relying on highly competitive granting and the contribution arena will undoubtedly face the most harshest challenges of all. So, in the spirit of giving my two-cents worth, I list 10 things smaller and more nimble nonprofits can do to not only survive, but thrive during the worst of times.
 
 
1. Stop thinking like a nonprofit and start thinking and acting like the 'corporation' you are.
Traditional nonprofits historically took the 'hand-out' approach and for the most part, it has sustained a many organizations. But the new age agency understands its legal structure. Sure you may be a nonprofit organization, but you are still a 'corporation'. In the for-profit world there is a sort of corporate warfare going on for the discretionary cash that people have. For-profits may call it discretionary cash, nonprofits may call it revenue, but in the end it is what financial bottom-lines look like and what keeps doors open. Corporate status is different than sole proprietorship's and should be treated as such. Does your agency have a product or service it can sell on the open market that can boost your revenue?
 
 
2. Align your agency and strategies with corporations and especially small business concerns that can provide products or services needed, wanted or desired by those you serve and those individuals and businesses that support your cause.
Cause-marketing is nothing new and today it is more important than ever if an agency wants to create a stable cash flow. There are numerous for-profit Internet-based companies that offer opportunities for your loyal supporters, staff, volunteers and anyone else that would support your organization because they believe in your mission, are concerned about the cause and would like to financially support your effort. Give them a chance to do so; without them having to budget for it or make tough decisions on who to give to. When you align with a for-profit that sells items your supporters want, need or desire you are only having to ask them to change their buying habits, not come up with more money. We utilize www.marketamerica.com/ibsa, http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/ibsa.aspx, http://ishoptogive.com/, We partner with www.WUCARadio.com for advertising, and Tradebank.
 
 
 3. Get your agency a JOB !!!
Policy makers say it, working class say, and I say it.... get your agency a job. Contracted work is a job based on performance. If you are really good at what you do or at something, get paid for it. I have found it best to secure contracts so that you can do the work at a profit. No reason to ask for more from your giving members and constituents or your congregation so that you can provide FREE services. In most instances, a contract to nonprofits is no different than one to a for-profit. There is a profit margin and this can be utilized to grow your staff, make other upgrades and still meet your mission of providing valuable service to the community.
 
 
4. Learn to utilize 'social media' to its fullest.
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn,,, you've heard about them and you may have hastily thrown up a 'fan page' or setup an account you don't monitor, but are you really maximizing a worldwide platform that's changing the world? Technology is changing fast and even today what you can do to jazz up your social network profile is amazing. Tweeting, posting, linking, blogging, video, podcasts, etc., is here to stay and those that embrace it will prevail.
 
5. Search for and utilize the talents of those you might have felt were more in need of services, than in wanting to help you advance your cause.
Seldom am I asked 'how have I stayed afloat with all the workload that I have'? But if asked, the answer to me is simple. "I have tapped into the market of youth, young adults and adults that are well equip and knowledgeable of computer uses and utilization of technology in general. rRrely are youth responsible in their homes to input financial data into a family budgeting software, nor are they asked to put together social media sites for nonprofits or small businesses whereas the owners or managers are socially illiterate. Youth of today have skills those losing their jobs don't, and to best prepare them for a world of work rather than a future of competition from around the globe, give them a stake on your turf to change the conditions that many of them care about too. I can't begin to share all they ways youth have played a key role in entering necessary data into a database, made website changes, or hooked up a gadget or widget in which most adults wouldn't have a clue where to begin. I can't share all the times an adult client with skills fixed a wall, fixed a plumbing problem, volunteered at an off site project,,, simply because they saw it needing to done and they asked to do it. Empower those to be of service; regardless of how they came through your doors.
 
 
6. Eliminate bureaucracy and cut the fat from your staff and governing board.
Need three forms to get one thing done? Do you have to call an emergency meeting to act on a time-sensitive opportunity? Are people governing your agency really just fancy titles and upper-class positions, yet they don't really substantiate you keeping them on your board? Let's face it, if their titles and positions are not changing the financial outlook or performance of your organization, then why do you have them around? Starting a nonprofit should not be a 'feel good' act but a 'gonna get the job done' mission. I have never come across a sprinter that ever finished 1st place while running with dead weight around their neck and ankles.
 
7. Seek out and partner with agencies that you share a common vision, mission, optimism and values system.
If two heads are better than one, then two agency can best meet the needs of one individual. Instead of seeing other agencies as competitors, can you find a few that can work together to compliment each others strengths and diminish each others weaknesses? Funders know that no one agency can do it all and tactical training instructs how teamwork can get missions accomplished. We provide community service activity and refer those needing counseling to other nonprofits who are also supportive to our agency and cause. Partner agencies counsel individuals and refer them to us for employment, training or small business counseling and assistance. It's a win/win/win and it's what's best for the referring agencies, funding agencies and those clients that we collectively serve.
 
 
8. Setup your own video production strategy, find the talent, and get your story out to the world.
Back to Youtube, Google Video, Vimeo. The Internet is populated with video covering a wide variety of areas. Documentaries, music, self-help, etc... If you have a story to tell or facts that need to be told over and over again then the most effective avenue these days is online videos. Find you a volunteer, student intern, or even contract out when necessary, but if a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a million. BTW: YouTube is the second largest search engine on the Internet.
 
 
9. Cash may be king, but never overlook the value to 'bartering'.
We have partnered with Tradebank as a 'Media Associate because 'bartering' is a proven route to lowering cash out; while generating cash in. Instead of using real dollars for our printing and advertising, we have come to rely on using 'trade dollars' which also fosters our support of local and small businesses.
 
10. Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you!
If you want the average person to support your cause then be prepared to support those causes dear to them. Many times an agencys leadership and staff can get so stuck on themselves that they fail to realize that it is the existence of others that makes the whole stick together. We're all in this together and fostering cooperation, collective purpose and common ground accomplishes more than going it alone. You own a computer business and support our organization, when we win a grant we buy our computers and systems software from you. I offer website hosting you do business with me and I help you get your site up, running and seen. Again, it's a win/win.
 
These are just a few of my thoughts and are soley based on what I have had to undergo to survive many years as the 'non-traditional' agency. As years went by and billions of dollars went to the same organizations, it was easy to ask 'what was wrong with us', but the answer really lie in what innovative practices could we bring to the table or adopt that could separated our agency, mission, goals and values apart from the rest. Any organization that holds 'performance' as its standard will do well if they streamline their operations, surround themselves with dedicated staff, volunteers and partners, and boldly participate in opportunities found off the beaten path.
 
Add to, dismiss or ponder,,,, the world is changing and so must the way nonprofits do business.
--
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. - Eleanor Roosevelt
 
 
IBSA, Inc.
629 SE Quincy, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66603-3921
(: 785.422.0761 (office) | ( 913.735.4272 (KC Metro) | *: admin@ibsa-inc.org

Followers

Locate funding for your agency program or event.

Blog Archive

Email Subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz

Your email address:


Powered by FeedBlitz