Women for Social Innovation
Application for
The Turning Point Prize
Women for Social Innovation (WSI) provides philanthropic investments to emerging social entrepeneurs whose ideas hold promise to improve life for women, girls, or families in Greater Philadelphia.
The Turning Point Prize is seed money given annually to a “social innovator” – who develops a creative and entrepreneurial solution to a difficult problem affecting women, girls, or families. Each applicant’s proposal will be judged on the definition of the problem, the project goals and impact, innovation of the solution, feasibility of the project plan, the vision of success, and entrepreneurial spirit.
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Application Process and Requirements
- The application must be completed and returned no later than 5:00 pm on December 28, 2011.
- Pre-application information sessions are held each year to answer questions about the application process and requirements.
Two pre-application information sessions will be held:
- Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 9am
- Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 5:30pm
Both sessions will be held at the United Way, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and will last approximately 60-90 minutes.
- All applications received by the deadline are screened by the WSI panel in January and February 2012. The Panel selects a short list of finalists who are invited to provide additional information and present his/her proposal at a WSI member's meeting.
- All applications require two letters of reference from faculty members, managers or directors of 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations or community leaders. The letter should explain the applicant's capabilities, character and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as support for the project.
- Because funds from The Turning Point Prize are disbursed through a not-for-profit sponsor, a letter of acknowledgement and agreement from the sponsoring institution is required.
- Projects must be completed within ten months of receipt of the award.
- Funds may be used only for direct expenses associated with the project.
In February 2012, the finalists will receive invitations to make a presentation to the WSI members on a specified date during the in March 2012. The invitations will include details on the content, date and time of the presentations. The 2012 Turning Point Prize recipient is announced at the WOMEN’S WAY Annual Powerful Voice Awards dinner in May 2012 (date to be announced).
What is Expected of Award Recipient
The Turning Point Prize winner is required to:
- Be present at the 2012 Turning Point Prize announcement at the WOMEN’S WAY Annual Powerful Voice Awards dinner;
- Be available for up to two other WSI events during the year;
- Be available for media interviews as requested;
- Prepare an interim narrative and financial progress report six months after the project begins; and
- Prepare a final presentation that captures the success of the project and lessons learned. A final financial report is also required.
Receipt of Funds
The award recipient, the award recipient's sponsoring organization, WSI and WOMEN'S WAY will enter into an agreement. Upon execution of the contract, a check for up to 70% of the award will be sent to the sponsoring organization, earmarked for the recipient’s project. The balance of the award is sent to the sponsoring organization after the award recipient’s 6-month progress report is accepted by WSI and WOMEN'S WAY.
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