AMERICAN APARTHEID: SEGREGATION AND THE MAKING OF THE UNDERCLASS (BOOK)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2781105
I read this book by Douglas Massey in the 1990s and it provides interesting ideas on why some sections of a city are more isolated and under served than others. Worth reading.
ANTI-RACISM READING LIST – NEW YORK TIMES 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/books/review/antiracist-reading-list-ibram-x-kendi.html
This article in NewYorkTimes, by Ibram X. Kendi, suggests books to help America transcend its racist heritage.
A SCHOOL REFORM READING LIST - FROM 2010
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wanna-be-a-school-reforme_b_765199
This points to a 2010 blog article post where a number of books are recommended for those who really want to educate themselves to understand the challenges and opportunities of improving the public education system. This is just one starting point for those who want to inform themselves.
BOOKS ON RACISM - 43 RECOMMENDED IN 6-2020 CHICAGO SUNTIMES
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/6/4/21279779/racism-childrens-books-ben-crump
This article in the 6-7-2020 Chicago SunTimes lists 43 suggested books to read about racism.
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY NATIONAL TEEN E-CARD - MAKES BOOKS AVAILABLE TO TEENS THROUGHOUT USA
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned
Brooklyn Public Library's "Books Unbanned Initiative" is "a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books from tackling a wide range of topics from library shelves."
CABRINI-GREEN: IN WORDS AND PICTURES
https://www.amazon.com/Cabrini-Green-Words-Pictures-David-Whitaker/dp/0942986806
This history of Chicago's Cabrini-Green public housing neighborhood was written by David Whitaker, a volunteer with the Cabrini Connections Tutor/Mentor Program. Dave was aided by students from the program and many are quoted in the book.
COGNITIVE SURPLUS: HOW TECHNOLOGY MAKES CONSUMERS INTO COLLABORATORS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Surplus
From the wiki: "Cognitive Surplus: How Technology Makes Consumers into Collaborators is a 2010 non-fiction book by Clay Shirky, originally published in with the subtitle "Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age".
The book's central theme is that people are now learning how to use more constructively the free time afforded to them since the 1940s for creative acts rather than consumptive ones, particularly with the advent of online tools that allow new forms of collaboration.[1] It goes on to catalog the means and motives behind these new forms of cultural production, as well as key examples." Referred to in this blog article by Vance Stevens: http://advanceducation.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-cognitive-surplus-drives-us-to.html
CUTTING SCHOOL: THE SEGRENOMICS OF AMERICAN EDUCATION
https://www.amazon.com/Cutting-School-Privatization-Segregation-Education-ebook/dp/B01NC0V380
One description of this book by Noliwe M. Rooks, on Amazon.com reads "An astounding look at America’s segregated school system, weaving together historical dynamics of race, class, and growing inequality into one concise and commanding story. Cutting School puts our schools at the center of the fight for a new commons."—Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not Enough and This Changes Everything.
DREAM HOARDERS, BY RICHARD V. REEVES
https://www.brookings.edu/book/dream-hoarders/
Full title: Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do about It From the web site: "Reeves shows, the growing separation between the upper middle class and everyone else can be seen in family structure, neighborhoods, attitudes, and lifestyle. Those at the top of the income ladder are becoming more effective at passing on their status to their children, reducing overall social mobility. The result is a fracturing of American society along class lines, not just an economic divide. Upper-middle-class children become upper-middle-class adults."
FROM THE BARRIO TO THE BOARD ROOM - INSPIRATIONAL
https://www.fromthebarrio.com/
From the web site: "The From the Barrio Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation committed to using author Robert Renteria’s life, business experience, and role as a civic leader to help eliminate conditions that foster violence, delinquency, drugs, and gangs. The book From the Barrio to the Board Room is a tool and Robert Renteria is a resource who promotes education, a sense of pride and accomplishment, and self-esteem within the youth of our communities."
GET ANTI-RACISM BOOKS INTO YOUR COMMUNITY - RECOMMENDED BOOKS
https://www.middleweb.com/43086/get-anti-racism-books-into-your-community/
This is a blog article that points to a list of anti-racism books that are recommended reading. In the article the writer says "Since the first days of the protest, the internet has been flooded with lists and suggestions for people to join the fight against racism" and embeds two links that point to even more books to read.
HERE COMES EVERYBODY, BY CLAY SHIRKY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_Comes_Everybody
From Wikipedia: "Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations is a book by Clay Shirky published by Penguin Press in 2008, which evaluates the effect of the Internet on modern group dynamics. The author considers examples such as Wikipedia and MySpace in his analysis."
HOPE AND DESPAIR IN THE AMERICAN CITY
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674060265&content=reviews
Hope and Despair in the American City: Why There Are No Bad Schools in Raleigh, written by Gerald Grant. Read the review by Naomi Thiers.
HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD - SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
https://www.ashoka.org/en/story/how-change-world
From the web site: "What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are, writes David Bornstein, the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, and remake the world for the better. How to Change the World tells the fascinating stories of these remarkable individuals, many of whom are Ashoka Fellows. These stories highlight a massive transformation that is going largely unreported by the media. Around the world, the fastest-growing segment of society is the nonprofit sector, as millions of ordinary people — social entrepreneurs — are stepping in to solve many of the world’s most intractable problems where bureaucracies have failed. For anyone seeking to make a positive mark on the world, this will be both an inspiring read and an invaluable handbook. It will change the way you see the world."
HOW TO LIVE FOREVER: THE ENDURING POWER OF CONNECTING THE GENERATIONS
https://encore.org/howtoliveforever/
From the web site: "In How to Live Forever, Encore.org President and CEO Marc Freedman tells the story of his thirty-year quest to answer some of contemporary life’s most urgent questions: With so many living so much longer, what is the meaning of the increasing years beyond 50? How can a society with more older people than younger ones thrive? How do we find happiness when we know life is long and time is short?"
JACKSON RISING - A STRATEGIC PLAN AND HISTORY OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
https://cooperationjackson.org/blog/2018/2/15/jackson-rising-at-last-a-real-strategic-plan
This book is the history of "Cooperation Jackson, an emerging network of cooperatives and grassroots institutions in Jackson, Mississippi, that aim to build a “solidarity economy.” It's described as "the rarest of things: a real strategic plan".
"JUST MERCY" BY BRYAN STEPHENSON
https://justmercy.eji.org/
From the web site: Just Mercy "presents the story of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), the people we represent, and the importance of confronting injustice. The book “is as gripping as it is disturbing,” wrote Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu, “as if America’s soul has been put on trial.” This book was made into a movie in 2019.
KIDS LAW - GUIDE TO JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM
https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Law-Practical-Juvenile-Justice/dp/0964792559
From the web site: "Written for kids, parents, teachers, counselors, social workers, youth workers and anyone else involved in the lives of youth today, KIDS LAW: A Practical Guide to Juvenile Justice is a down-to-earth and invaluable guide to the many aspects of the Juvenile Justice system."
KILLING THE BLACK BODY: RACE, REPRODUCTION, AND THE MEANING OF LIBERTY
https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Black-Body-Reproduction-Meaning/dp/0679758690
This is one of two recommended books by Dorothy E. Roberts. This is description on Amazon.com: "Killing the Black Body exposed America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies. From slave masters’ economic stake in bonded women’s fertility to government programs that coerced thousands of poor Black women into being sterilized as late as the 1970s, these abuses pointed to the degradation of Black motherhood—and the exclusion of Black women’s reproductive needs in mainstream feminist and civil rights." Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-Create Race in the Twenty-First Century is another book by Dorothy R. Roberts.
MAKING VOLUNTEERS: CIVIC LIFE AFTER WELFARE'S END
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691147093/making-volunteers
From the web site: "Volunteering improves inner character, builds community, cures poverty, and prevents crime. We've all heard this kind of empowerment talk from nonprofit and government-sponsored civic programs. But what do these programs really accomplish? In Making Volunteers, Nina Eliasoph offers an in-depth, humorous, wrenching, and at times uplifting look inside youth and adult civic programs.”
MEDICAL APARTHEID: THE DARK HISTORY OF MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION ON BLACK AMERICANS FROM COLONIAL TIMES TO THE PRESENT
https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Apartheid-Experimentation-Americans-Colonial/dp/076791547X
Description of book from Amazon.com site: "Medical Apartheid is the first and only comprehensive history of medical experimentation on African Americans. Starting with the earliest encounters between black Americans and Western medical researchers and the racist pseudoscience that resulted, it details the ways both slaves and freedmen were used in hospitals for experiments conducted without their knowledge—a tradition that continues today within some black populations."
MENTORING STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0749435437/102-7405600-3176934?v=glance&n=283155
This book presents mentors, plus anyone working with young people, with a guide to approaches to mentoring today. It looks at mentoring as a concept, how it is done well and how it can be made more effective.
MORE THAN A MENTORING PROGRAM: ATTACKING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
https://www.infoagepub.com/products/More-Than-a-Mentoring-Program
Description from publisher: "In striving to reduce racial achievement gaps, schools and youth development programs are increasingly turning to youth mentoring programs. But how to ensure success? Here, accomplished educators Graig Meyer and George Noblit reveal how one such program challenged institutional racism and eliminated persistent achievement disparities in a local school system that boasts a national reputation for excellence. The authors share personal lessons, strategic guidance, and detailed practical advice for education and community leaders seeking to create successful youth mentoring programs. Their story, backed by research, offers real-world perspective on the important work of challenging systemic racism in schools. Meyer and Noblit demonstrate how mentoring and advocacy come together in a strengths-based program that boosts academic success and post-secondary enrollment for youth of color, while also creating change to benefit all students in a school system."
NO BS (BAD STATS): BLACK PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN BLACK PEOPLE ...
https://www.amazon.com/No-BS-Bad-Stats-Scholarship/dp/9004397027
The full title of this book is: No BS (Bad Stats): Black People Need People Who Believe in Black People Enough Not to Believe Every Bad Thing They Hear About Black People (Personal/Public Scholarship). Written by Ivory D. Toldson.
OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN: CULTURAL CONFLICT IN THE CLASSROOM
https://www.amazon.com/Other-Peoples-Children-Cultural-Classroom/dp/1595580743
Book description from Amazon.com: "In a radical analysis of contemporary classrooms, MacArthur Award–winning author Lisa Delpit develops ideas about ways teachers can be better “cultural transmitters” in the classroom, where prejudice, stereotypes, and cultural assumptions breed ineffective education. Delpit suggests that many academic problems attributed to children of color are actually the result of miscommunication, as primarily white teachers and “other people’s children” struggle with the imbalance of power and the dynamics plaguing our system. A new classic among educators, Other People’s Children is a must-read for teachers, administrators, and parents striving to improve the quality of America’s education system."
PUSHOUT: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK GIRLS IN SCHOOLS
https://www.amazon.com/Pushout-Criminalization-Black-Girls-Schools/dp/1620970945
This is book description from Amazon.com: "In a work that Lisa Delpit calls “imperative reading,” Monique W. Morris (Black Stats, Too Beautiful for Words) chronicles the experiences of Black girls across the country whose intricate lives are misunderstood, highly judged—by teachers, administrators, and the justice system—and degraded by the very institutions charged with helping them flourish."
QUICK AND EFFECTIVE READING INTERVENTION TIPS
https://www.middleweb.com/39836/quick-and-effective-reading-intervention/
This is blog article that reviews a book titled: The Next Step Forward in Reading Intervention. The writer says "It contains a wealth of knowledge and intentional lessons set forth by two educators who have dedicated their work to growing students as readers. The goal of this book is simple: provide ready-to-use lessons for short-term, small-group interventions. Depending on the level of student you are working with, either the phonics stage, or the comprehension stage, there is a RISE or RISE Up model for you." Take a look.
RACECRAFT: THE SOUL OF INEQUALITY IN AMERICAN LIFE
https://www.amazon.com/Racecraft-Soul-Inequality-American-Life/dp/1781683131
This is the book's description on Amazon.com: "Most people assume that racism grows from a perception of human difference: the fact of race gives rise to the practice of racism. Sociologist Karen E. Fields and historian Barbara J. Fields argue otherwise: the practice of racism produces the illusion of race, through what they call “racecraft.” And this phenomenon is intimately entwined with other forms of inequality in American life. So pervasive are the devices of racecraft in American history, economic doctrine, politics, and everyday thinking that the presence of racecraft itself goes unnoticed."
SISTER CITIZEN: SHAME, STEREOTYPES, AND BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICA
https://www.amazon.com/Sister-Citizen-Shame-Stereotypes-America/dp/0300188188
This is description of this book from Amazon.com; 'In this groundbreaking book, Melissa V. Harris-Perry uses multiple methods of inquiry, including literary analysis, political theory, focus groups, surveys, and experimental research, to understand more deeply black women's political and emotional responses to pervasive negative race and gender images."
SO MUCH REFORM. SO LITTLE CHANGE
https://www.hepg.org/hep-home/books/so-much-reform,-so-little-change
From the web site: "This frank and courageous book explores the persistence of failure in today’s urban schools. At its heart is the argument that most education policy discussions are disconnected from the daily realities of urban schools, especially those in poor and beleaguered neighborhoods. Charles M. Payne argues that we have failed to account fully for the weakness of the social infrastructure and the often dysfunctional organizational environments of urban schools and school systems. I read this book, and it is one of the most depressing I've ever read, illustrating how so many dollars have been spent with so little impact, and how few prospects there are to change this in the future. It reinforces my belief that we need to engage other adults beyond parents, educators and policy makers in learning about the problem and being part of the solutions."
SOCIAL RESEARCH BOOK LIST, OF RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION
https://www.russellsage.org/publications/bookstore
From the web site: "The Russell Sage Foundation is the principal American foundation devoted exclusively to research in the social sciences. Located in New York City, it is a research center, a funding source for studies by scholars at other academic and research institutions, and an active member of the nation's social science community. The foundation also publishes, under its own imprint, the books and a journal that derive from the work of its grantees and visiting scholars."
THE COLOR OF LAW: A FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF HOW OUR GOVERNMENT SEGREGATED AMERICA
https://www.epi.org/publication/the-color-of-law-a-forgotten-history-of-how-our-government-segregated-america/
From the website: "This book by Richard Rothstein argues with exacting precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America -- the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and has contributed to so much recent social strife -- is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state, and federal levels." Read this 2024 article by Rothstein, titled "Residential segregation is an educational crisis. How the No Child Left Behind Act Led to the Color of Law. https://justaction.substack.com/p/residential-segregation-is-an-educational
THE DEATH GAP: HOW INEQUALITY KILLS
https://davidansellbooks.com/buy-the-book/
"We hear plenty about the widening income gap between the rich and the poor in America and about the expanding distance separating the haves and the have-nots. But when detailing the many things that the poor have not, we often overlook the most critical—their health. The poor die sooner. Blacks die sooner. And poor urban blacks die sooner than almost all other Americans. In nearly four decades as a doctor at hospitals serving some of the poorest communities in Chicago, David Ansell has witnessed firsthand the lives behind these devastating statistics. In The Death Gap, he gives a grim survey of these realities, drawn from observations and stories of his patients."
THE PRIVILEGED POOR: HOW ELITE COLLEGES ARE FAILING DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, BY ANTHONY ABRAHAM JACK
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674976894
From the website: "Getting in to college is on half the battle. The Privileged Poor reveals how--and why disadvantaged students struggle at elite colleges, and explains what schools can do differently if these students are to thrive." This site has an interview with the author and an extensive list of related links.
THE STARFISH AND THE SPIDER: THE UNSTOPPABLE POWER OF LEADERLESS ORGANIZATIONS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starfish_and_the_Spider
From the Wikipedia description: "This book is an exploration of the implications of the rise of decentralized organizations such as Grokster and YouTube. The book contrasts them to centralized organizations, such as Encyclopædia Britannica, using compendia of knowledge as examples."
Editor note: I read this book in January 2007 and it really gives definition to the type of work I do with the Tutor/Mentor Connection and with the Cabrini Connections tutor/mentor program that I led from 1993-2011. I view a tutoring/mentoring program as a decentralized organization that supports the actions of youth and volunteers, and of hundreds of similar organizations, via this web site, our conferences, and our efforts to help every tutor/mentor program get needed resources on a more consistent basis.
THE SUM OF US - WHAT RACISM COSTS EVERYONE AND HOW WE CAN PROSPER TOGETHER
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/564989/the-sum-of-us-by-heather-mcghee/
2021 book by Heather McGhee. Described on website as "The Sum of Us is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to paint an irrefutable story of racism’s costs, but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America, including white supremacy’s collateral victims: white people themselves. With startling empathy, this heartfelt message from a Black woman to a multiracial America leaves us with a new vision for a future in which we finally realize that life can be more than a zero-sum game."
THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS: THE EPIC STORY OF AMERICA'S GREAT MIGRATION
https://www.amazon.com/Warmth-Other-Suns-Americas-Migration/dp/0679763880
Description of this book on Amazon.com site: "In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the 1915 to 1970 migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life."
THE WORLD IS OPEN
https://www.amazon.com/World-Open-Technology-Revolutionizing-Education/dp/1118013816
From the web site: "Technological development and the Internet have opened up learning to the point where anyone can learn anything from anyone else at any time. To help explain this highly complex situation and its implications for education, both formal and informal, Curtis J. Bonk outlines ten key technology and learning trends. Using a model called "WE-ALL-LEARN," Dr. Bonk shows how technology has transformed educational opportunities for learners as well as of innovators from the worlds of technology and education that reveal the power of opening up the world of learning. This book is the product of more than two decades of research on e-learning, blended learning, and technology in education to support this project (including YouTube, wikis, collaborative technologies, simulations and gaming, and online language learning). "
UNEASY PEACE: BOOK BY PATRICK SHARKEY
https://www.patricksharkey.net/essays
From the website: " Over the past twenty-five years, American cities have transformed. Violence became less common in almost every city across the country, and it plummeted in many of our major urban centers. Sociologist Patrick Sharkey spent five years gathering national data to understand why it happened, and how it has changed the nature of urban inequality.
Uneasy Peace shows, with rigorous evidence, that the crime decline has fundamentally changed the nature of urban poverty, but the approaches we have taken to confront violence have come with great costs. At a time when crime is beginning to rise again, and the old methods of policing are no longer acceptable, the ideas in this book are indispensable."
URBAN SANCTUARIES: NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS IN THE LIVES AND FUTURES OF INNER CITY YOUTH
https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Sanctuaries-Neighborhood-Organizations-Futures/dp/0787959413
Description from Amazon.com web site: "A comprehensive look at inner-city youth programs. Urban Sanctuaries analyzes the strategies of community leaders and organizations. The author describes how these leaders create and sustain youth programs in spite of enormous challenges."
WE KNOW THE ABCs OF BLACK HISTORY ... DO YOU?: VOLUM 1
Find on Amazon.com
This book by Maurice Woodson was published in April 2024 and "was created to change the false narrative taught in schools for generations...and that is that the Black American story is just one of oppression. Nothing could be further from the truth." Read the full description on Amazon.com.
WHATEVER IT TAKES: GEOFFREY CANADA'S QUEST TO CHANGE HARLEM AND AMERICA, BY PAUL TOUGH
https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/book-review
This is a review of the Harlem Children's Zone, written by Paul Tough
WHY ARE ALL THE BLACK KIDS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE CAFETERIA: AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Kids-Sitting-Together-Cafeteria/dp/0465083617
Here's description of this book from Amazon.com site "Walk into any racially mixed high school and you will see Black, White, and Latino youth clustered in their own groups. Is this self-segregation a problem to address or a coping strategy? Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned authority on the psychology of racism, argues that straight talk about our racial identities is essential if we are serious about enabling communication across racial and ethnic divides. These topics have only become more urgent as the national conversation about race is increasingly acrimonious. This fully revised edition is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of race in America."
WHY IT'S GOOD TO BE GOOD - BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
https://stephengpost.com/
Books and blog articles by Stephen Post show benefits of volunteering and service.
YOU CANT BE WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE, BY MILBREY W. MCLAUGHLIN
Search for this book at https://www.amazon.com
This is a book showing impact of CYCLE a youth program that operated in the Cabrini Green area of Chicago from the mid 1970s until mid 1990s, which is the same area that Daniel Bassill, founder of the Tutor/Mentor Connection began, his involvement in 1973. "In the book, McLaughlin, the David Jack Professor Emeritus of Education and Public Policy at Stanford University and founding director of the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities, documents what happened to more than seven hundred young people from Chicago's Cabrini-Green public housing project who participated in CYCLE, an out-of-school-time tutoring program started in 1978 in the basement of Cabrini-Green's LaSalle Street Church."
Read one review at : https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/off-the-shelf/you-can-t-be-what-you-can-t-see-the-power-of-opportunity-to-change-young-lives
A BETTER PLACE - GERMANY'S LARGEST ON-LINE DONATION PLATFORM
https://www.betterplace.org/c/about-us
This is "a platform which would give people the chance to present their work to a global audience and to find people who wanted to see what concrete difference their support was making. The betterplace lab emerged alongside the betterplace.org platform. The betterplace lab researches where social and digital innovation meets, analysing trends in how people are changing the world and showcases inspiring examples of the internet and mobile phones improving lives."
ARTICLE: HYBRID MODEL FOR NON PROFITS NOT WORKING - 2010 ARTICLE
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/26/business/26hybrid.html?pagewanted=1
This New York Times article is worth reading for any on profit that thinks creating a business model is easy, or that it always works.
AURA'S HOUSE - POWER OF ONE PERSON TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
http://aurashouse.com/
From the web site: "Aura’s House is a grassroots online project that raises funds for housing, health, income generation, and education projects for needy children in developing countries. It was originally created to raise $4500 to build a safe, sturdy brick home for Aura Hernandez and her family in Guatemala. Since our goal was met in November of 2004, we decided to launch other small projects that bring big changes to the lives of families in developing countries. Aura’s House At A Glance."
BENEFIT CHICAGO - LAUNCHED IN 2016 AIMS TO PROVIDE $100M IN SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT IN CHICAGO REGION
https://benefitchicago.org/
From the web site: "Benefit Chicago is a new collaboration (of The Chicago Community Trust, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and Calvert Foundation, that aims to mobilize $100 million in impact investments for nonprofits and social enterprises working throughout the Chicago region." Visit the web site and read more.
BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITIONS - MENTOR CAPITAL NETWORK
https://mentorcapitalnet.org/home/entrepreneurs/
From the web site: "Our Sustainable Business Plan Collaboration supports the entrepreneurs behind mission driven, for-profit social enterprises, no matter where they are in the world. Over the years, we’ve supported over 950 ventures with over $6mm worth of intellectual “mentor” capital, giving entrepreneurial teams customized feedback on their business plans and access to a network of over 1,000 of the world’s best industry and regional experts who have given their time to support these startup teams. We seek to create and accelerate opportunities for these teams to make a serious, innovative, and scalable difference in the world."
CHICAGO BEYOND - AIMS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHICAGO’S YOUNG PEOPLE
https://chicagobeyond.org/whatwedo/
From the web site: "Chicago Beyond works in close partnership with the University of Chicago Urban Labs in its efforts invests in innovative ideas and scale-able programs to amplify impact while addressing two urgent issues that are flip sides of the same coin –youth safety and educational attainment."
CROWDFUNDING SITES - FORBES 2014 LIST
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chancebarnett/2014/08/29/crowdfunding-sites-in-2014/?sh=37e4eac31003
This is a 2014 list. There are probably additional crowdfunding platforms available now. If you're interested in crowdfunding this list offers some options. Browse the magazine web site for other stories on this topic.
FIRST ROUND - A KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR START-UPS AND ENTREPRENEURS
https://firstround.com/philosophy/
If you're starting a business, or even a non profit, you should get to know the First Round web site. It has draws upon an extensive web library to answer questions site users might have, and to organize events and services that support entrepreneurs.
Note: If the Tutor/Mentor Connection were starting over, and had capital and tech talent, it would look much like this First Round web site.
IMPACT INVESTING - AN NEW FORM OF PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
https://www.lunarmobiscuit.com/philanthropy-is-another-form-of-investment/
For social entrepreneurs who have been seeking new forms of investment, "impact investments" from traditional foundations offers some hope. This article offers some understanding of this opportunity.
KIVA - LOANS THAT CHANGE LIVES
https://www.kiva.org/about
From the web site: "Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. We celebrate and support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities."
LEX MUNDI PRO BONO FOUNDATION - FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
https://www.lexmundiprobono.org/#our-model
From the web site: "The Foundation’s mission is to engage Lex Mundi’s global network of leading independent law firms to support and empower those working to bring about high impact and sustainable social change that improves communities and lives. The Foundation achieves its mission through working with Lex Mundi lawyers to provide critical pro bono legal services to the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Visit this link to learn how to apply for pro bono legal support.
LIST OF CROWDFUNDING SITES - GOOGLE DOC
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1Qv2iT41vphfbd4p4zHj0f5nGzkHxlV-feRcWjKLdH-E/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&output=html
This is an extensive list of web sites that are platforms for raising money for social benefit organizations. This has been in the Tutor/Mentor library since 2012 so I'm not certain that all the links are current.
MAKING SENSE OF IMPACT INVESTING - HBR ARTICLE
https://hbr.org/2016/01/making-sense-of-the-many-kinds-of-impact-investing
This Harvard Business Review article addresses the fact that "not everyone agrees on what impact investing is".
SEARCHING FOR BETTER PRACTICES IN SOCIAL INVESTING - 2011 HBR ARTICLE
https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6696.html
From the web site: "Social change requires innovation, not just in organizational practices but in funding practices, as well. This was a key message at "Social Investing: Emerging Trends in a Changing Landscape," a recent panel discussion at Harvard Business School in which several professional philanthropists explored how best to support social change." Read the article. What's changed since this was written?
SHORT GUIDE TO IMPACT INVESTING (2015) - PDF
https://casefoundation.org/resource/short-guide-impact-investing/
This PDF on the CASE Foundation web site intends to provide a short introduction and guide to what impact investing is and how business can apply the strategy to influence social change.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) LEARNING CENTER
https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program
From the web site: "Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses."
STEPS FOR FORMING LLC IN ILLINOIS
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/forming-llc-illinois
Visit this site for steps in forming an Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) in Illinois.
SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND
https://www.s3idf.org/
From the web site: "The Small-Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund (S3IDF), Inc. is an international nonprofit organization that builds inclusive market systems to benefit poor and disadvantaged communities.
THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION - IMPACT INVESTING
https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/search/?keyword=impact+investing&search=true
Click the link and you'll find a collection of articles on The Rockefeller Foundation website that show their support of Impact Investing.
TRENDS IN CROWDFUNDING-2013
https://venturebeat.com/2013/05/22/5-ways-the-booming-crowdsourcing-ecosystem-is-changing-in-2013/
From this article: "After surveying more than 350 active crowdfunding platforms, including IndieGoGo, CrowdCube, Symbid, and Gambitious (full site directory at crowdsourcing.org), and completing an in-depth analysis of market trends, research firm Massolution has identified five major crowdfunding developments for 2013 and beyond." Since this is 2013 research, much has changed since then....or has it?
WHAT IS CROWDFUNDING?
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4134-what-is-crowdfunding.html
This is article on the Business News Daily website. It starts with "Crowdfunding is when businesses, organizations or individuals fund a project or venture with small donations from many people. Put simply, a "crowd" funds a project or business, rather than one or two major investors." Visit the article link to read more. If you search for "crowdfunding" on the site you'll find many additional articles on this topic.
1871 - WORKPLACE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN CHICAGO
https://1871.com/
From the web site: "Founded in 2012, 1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today 1871 is the home of more than 400 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 120,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, tech talent schools, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition — the state’s leading technology advocate, a number of Chicago-based VCs, and satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DeVry University, and DePaul University."
A MAP OF THE OPEN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
http://sidewaysthoughts.com/blog/2015/08/a-map-of-the-open-innovation-ecosystem/
From the web site: "The innovation ecosystem refers to the various programs, projects and institutions that come together to deliver innovation. This interaction works based on a premise that innovation is more likely at the interface between boundaries." This article attempts to "show the different parts of the system and provide an idea of which parts interact."
A VISION FOR THE SHARING ECONOMY
https://www.shareable.net/its-time-to-go-big-a-vision-for-the-sharing-economy/
This article reflects on what's possible in the "sharing economy" and talks about opportunities to shape the direction of this movement". The writer says "the sharing economy is not only a real solution, it’s also an inspiring true story. People experience it as empowering. It puts people in a new, constructive relation to one another. In the sharing economy, we host, fund, teach, drive, care, guide and cook for friends and strangers alike. This is a world where people help each other. It’s also a world where self-interest and the common good align." Read more and follow the links to build your understanding of the "sharing economy" and its impact on you.
ASHOKA.ORG - SUPPORTING SOCIAL INNOVATION
https://www.ashoka.org/en/about-ashoka
From the web site: "Ashoka US was launched in 2001 when we began supporting social entrepreneurs in the United States as Ashoka Fellows. Together with our partners, we have supported more than 200 social entrepreneurs and connected them into a dynamic peer network to help grow their ideas and impact. We also work to ensure that every child masters empathy through our Start Empathy initiative, that teens and college students are equipped with changemaking tools and skills through our Youth Venture and Ashoka U programs and that networks of changemakers and social innovators across the US are able to scale their ideas and impact through competitions produced by our Changemakers team."
ASSOCIATION FOR ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY (AEO)
https://aeoworks.org/
From the web site: "AEO is a national membership organization and voice of microbusiness development in the United States. For more than two decades, AEO and its hundreds of member organizations have helped more than two million entrepreneurs support themselves and their families and contribute to their communities through business ownership.
Mission: AEO creates economic opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs. AEO supports the development of strong and effective US microbusiness initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses.
BALTA - BC-ALBERTA SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH ALLIANCE
http://www.socialeconomy-bcalberta.ca/
From the web site: "BALTA is a regional research collaboration amongst community based organizations, universities and colleges in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, with an interest in the social economy. BALTA's mandate involves researching various aspects of the social economy with a view to both increasing knowledge about the sector and identifying ways to strengthen and expand the sector. BALTA is the BC-Alberta node of a pan-Canadian research initiative, the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships (CSERP). This five year research initiative (2006-2011) is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). This website and the linked online library contain an extensive and growing body of information about BALTA, its research and other programs, research results, and the social economy more broadly."
BAUMHART CENTER FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND RESPONSIBILITY AT LOYOLA CHICAGO
https://www.luc.edu/baumhartcenter/
Visit the Baumhart Center's website and respond to their invitation to "Join us at the intersection of profit and purpose."
BERT-OLA BERGSTRAND - FACILITATOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
https://www.facebook.com/bertola.bergstrand
This link points to the Facebook page of Bert-Ola Bergstrand, a social entrepreneur based in Europe. Look at the list of organizations that he supports as a facilitator. These represent a vast library of social enterprise websites and resources. Rather than add each link to the Tutor/Mentor library I'm just pointing to Bert's list.
BIG MARKER - HELPS YOU BUILD A COMMUNITY
https://www.bigmarker.com/about
From the web site: "With better tools for conversations, sharing resources, webinars and video conferencing, BigMarker helps your group make a mark. Thousands of organizations, teams, and movements use their BigMarker community as a destination for learning, sharing, support, and collaboration."
CHANGEMAKERS - GLOBAL NETWORK
https://www.changemakers.com/
From the web site: "Changemakers activates a global network of social entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders, policy makers and activists to build an Everyone a Changemaker world."
CHI COMMMONS COOPERATIVE AND SOLIDARITY MAP
https://www.chicommons.coop/
From the website: “ChiCommons is a multi-stakeholder organization that grew out of local Civic Tech and Sustainability volunteer movements for common good — and evolved into a Limited Worker Cooperative Association (LWCA). We are based in the Chicago, Illinois, USA region — and focus on global cooperative, peer-to-peer commons, and asset-based community development principles.”
CIVIC EXCHANGE CHICAGO - COWORKING SPACE CENTERED ON HOW NEWS, INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
https://datamade.us/blog/civic-exchange/
Launched in 2019. From the web site: "Civic Exchange Chicago is a coworking space and learning community centered on how news, information and technology can increase democracy and freedom."
CREATE GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION
https://newandimproved.com/
From the web site: "New & Improved, LLC, is a global organizational development firm that focuses on the people skills organizations need to create growth through innovation. We develop groups of individuals who excel at creative thinking and working productively together."
CREATIVITY, SOCIAL BENEFIT AND JOB CREATION - ONTARIO (PDF)
http://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/mpi/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Creativity_Social_Benefit_and_Job_Creation-A_Baldwin.pdf
Creativity, Social Benefit and Job Creation: The Potential for Social Entrepreneurship in Ontario is the full title of this 2009 working paper, written by Andrea Baldwin. This paper makes the case that "social entrepreneurship - both in the for-profit business sector, and the non profit sector, creates economic value by creating jobs. Furthermore, it also creates service delivery and, in some cases, stimulates employment for economically disadvantaged regions or individuals." The ideas in this report could be applied in Chicago, New York or any other city.
CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF "OPEN EDUCATION", CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
https://edtechfrontier.com/2018/02/
This is a blog by Paul Stacey, who became Executive Director of the Open Education Consortium in 2018. He writes: "in this post I map out how I see the current landscape of ‘Open’ and mention the most prominent challenges and opportunities. In a second post I define where the Open Education Consortium should be positioned within this landscape and propose a roadmap for getting there." Paul published articles on th is blog from 2010 till February 2018.
DESIGN COMPETITIONS - HOSTED BY UK DESIGN COUNCIL
https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/social-innovation/reducing-violence-and-aggression-ae
From the web site: "Design Council is a charity and is recognised as a leading authority on the use of strategic design. We use design as a strategic tool to tackle major societal challenges, drive economic growth and innovation, and improve the quality of the built environment. We address all aspects of design including product, service, user experience and design in the built environment. We are the UK government’s adviser on design. Our Design Challenges bring together designers and design novices alike, to address some of society’s biggest challenges. We also run regular talks by leading designers - see our events page for more."
Note: This is something Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC would like to be part of in conjunction with US organizations focused on education, non profit sector, etc.
DESIGN EDU - HOSTED BY CORE77
https://boards.core77.com/?utm_source=navigation
From the web site: "Since 1995 Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits." This link points to a page hosting discussion boards.
ENCORE NATION - SENIORS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
https://encore.org/
From the web site: "Encore.org is spearheading efforts to engage millions of people in later life as a vital source of talent to benefit society. Our ultimate goal is to create a better future for young people and future generations." Visit the site to see how they do this.
FINDING COMMON PURPOSE - ROOTCAUSE BLOG
https://rootcause.org/finding-common-purpose/government-benefits-and-trust-in-people-lessons-from-stockton-california-part-2/
From the site: "Root Cause is a purpose-driven consulting group that exists to enable more people and families to achieve lifelong success." Browse the site. Read the blog. Learn more.
FIVERR® - AN OPEN MARKET PLACE FOR FREELANCERS, ENTREPRENEURS, MORE
https://www.fiverr.com/categories/graphics-design/cartoons-and-comics
From the web site: "Fiverr® provides an open marketplace for freelancers and small business operators to create, customize, and sell their niche services on the web. The flexible and affordable platform currently lists millions of services posted by entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses around the world. Fiverr's global community of creative self-starters monetize their talents and market to people in 190 countries."
GREENSTAR - SUPPORTS GROWTH OF VILLAGES IN DEVELOPING WORLD
http://www.greenstar.org/
From the web site: "Greenstar has developed a solar-powered community center that delivers electricity, pure water, health and education information and a wireless connection to villages in the developing world. To support this program, we record traditional art, music, photography, legends and storytelling in small villages, and bring these unique, priceless products to global markets through the Internet. Revenues are returned to the village to support their ongoing, independent development.
GUIDELINES FOR FORMING AN L3C ORGANIZATION IN ILLINOIS
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/forming-l3c-illinois
Visit this site for steps in forming an L3C organization in Illinois.
HOW TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS (RESOURCES & TIPS)
https://www.finimpact.com/empower-and-support-young-entrepreneurs/
This article is an extensive guide to help understand and support the growth of youth entrepreneurs. Useful for mentors, educators, parents and entrepreneurs!
IDEACTION CORPS - CONNECTS CREATIVE PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL BENEFIT WORK
http://ideactioncorps.com/about
From the web site: "Ideaction Corps is a collaborative of accomplished agencies and freelancers working together for the common good. We use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. And because our unique business model provides a platform for consultancies to access work that makes a difference in their community, we are helping other businesses solve them too."
ILLINOIS INNOVATION NETWORK
https://iin.uillinois.edu/
From the web site: "The Illinois Innovation Network website launched in 2013 as a common platform to connect startups, innovation-driven enterprises, service providers, research and academic institutions, and community leaders to position Illinois as one of the world’s top innovation centers."
ILLINOIS SOCIAL ALLIANCE MEMBER DIRECTORY
https://socialenterprise.us/programs/member-directory/?search&chapters&locations=IL&areas&industries
You can use this directory to search for socially conscious businesses in Illinois and to submit your social enterprise for directory inclusion. Join Social Enterprise Alliance - Chicago (SEA-Chicago) in creating this community.
INNOVATE WITH INNOCENTIVE CHALLENGES
https://www.innocentive.com/
From the web site: "Move beyond the standard modes of thinking and problem solving. We offer a comprehensive suite of externally and internally-focused programs, providing the methodology, technology, expert support and problem-solving network for you to crowdsource solutions to important problems." This site is built around InnoCentive Challenges, that involved a network of people from around the world.
INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS - TERMINOLOGY
https://www.socialent.org/Social_Enterprise_Terminology.htm
From the web site: "The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs is a for-profit consulting company founded in 1999 by Jerr Boschee, who served for the previous eight years as President and CEO of The National Center for Social Entrepreneurs." The site hosts a variety of useful resources for SEs.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION
https://isocialmarketing.org/
From the web site: "iSMA "is seeking to build a community among social marketers to exchange ideas and learnings so that we will all be more effective in the work we do to ‘create a better world through marketing’." This link points to their blog.
JELLYWEEK - CONNECTED SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS FROM AROUND THE WORLD - ARCHIVE
https://www.facebook.com/groups/jellyweek12/
This Facebook group hosted planning for the WORLDWIDE #JELLYWEEK 2012 (16 to 22 Jan), with a goal of connecting social innovators to communicate and collaborate on a global level. The page is still live although the Jellyweek project ended in 2013.
LEARN ABOUT THE BLUE ECONOMY
https://www.theblueeconomy.org/
The BLUE Economy is a book, with 100+ Ideas for creating a future economy using nature-inspired technologies. It was launched in 2004 as "ZERI in Action" project. Since then hundreds of people have contributed to bring the content within reach of many. Visit the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) web site at http://www.zeri.org/ZERI/About_ZERI.html
LIVING BRIDGES PLANET ON FACEBOOK - MEETING PLACE FOR SEs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingbridgesplanet/
This group was formed around 2012 and continues to be active. It is a connecting point on Facebook for social entrepreneurs and people who want to make good things happen in the world.
MENTOR TRAINING IDEAS FROM THE MOWGLI FOUNDATION (UK)
https://www.mowgli.org.uk/
From the website: "Mowgli Mentoring is a social enterprise driving inclusive economic and social change in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Mowgli’s unique, accredited methodology provides a supportive framework which empowers and supports the talent and leadership development of entrepreneurs (micro, refugee and SMEs), women, youth as well as corporate leaders and employees to unlock their potential and seize new opportunities for growth." View a collection of Slideshare presentations at https://www.slideshare.net/mowglifoundation/presentations.
MICROAID - SIMPLE STEPS - FOCUS ON POVERTY IN INDONESIA
https://www.microaid.net/
From the web site: "MicroAid’s local Community Partners help low income families to LEARN new skills using simple materials available from MicroAid Library. GET SUPPORT through micro-project donor funds (www.microaid.org), and CONNECT to community organisations, buyers and local markets (http://products.microaid.com)."
NETWORK ANALYSIS VISUALIZATIONS ILLUSTRATE UNIQUE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
https://www.shareable.net/enspiral-changing-the-way-social-entrepreneurs-do-business/
This 2014 article describes a New Zealand Social Enterprise support group, called Enspiral (https://enspiral.com/) that has found innovative ways to support a network of organizations throughout the world. The article uses network analysis visualizations effectively to illustrate Enspiral's efforts.
ONE COMMUNITY: FOR THE HIGHEST GOOD OF ALL
https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/purpose-mission-values/
From the web site: "Mission Statement: To offer non-profit leadership, demonstration, and open source project-launch blueprinting to re-invent the planet as a cooperative of comprehensively sustainable and self-propagating teacher/demonstration communities, villages, and cities collaborating for The Highest Good of All." Browse the site to learn how this works.
PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE - NORWAY
https://pfchange.org/?lang=en
From the web site: "Partnership for Change (PfC) is a Norwegian NGO that works to secure economic independence for women and youth. We currently have operations in Ethiopia and Myanmar. PfC develops and applies new tools, methods and forms of cooperation to address societal problems. We seek cooperation across a variety of sectors in order to build solutions that are sustainable – financially, socially and environmentally. " Visit the site to learn more.
PLATFORM BUSINESS MODEL - DISCUSSION 2015
https://searchcio.techtarget.com/feature/Platform-business-model-picks-up-steam-whats-the-CIO-role
This article shows how business is beginning to understand and value platforms and may offer some ideas for T/MC and others who seek to further develop their own platforms.
Note: The Tutor/Mentor Connection, now operated by Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, has been building an information-based platform that anyone, from any place, could use to support the growth of youth serving organizations operating in high poverty neighborhoods of urban areas. We've never had significant investment to support this effort.
PLATFORMS SUPPORTING NEXT GENERATION BUSINESS - SOCAP ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SOCAP/
SOCAP is a group meeting on Facebook. SOCAP convenes a global network of innovators working for social change. It uses this Facebook and documents such as this list of platforms supporting social enterprise activities as "a space to connect, share ideas and opportunities, have conversations, match-make, and grow our global network as we continue to build this new paradigm together."
POP TECH - GLOBAL NETWORK OF INNOVATORS
https://poptech.org/
From the web site: "PopTech brings together a global community of innovators from many fields to share insights and work together to create lasting change. Our Fellows programs for social innovators and scientists identify and train some of the world’s most promising talent. Our Labs bring together curated and diverse experts to work together on areas of critical significance. Our Initiatives incubate high-impact, collaborative and new approaches to some of the world’s toughest problems. Our annual conferences and events are among the highest rated in the United States.
POWERED BY ACTION - HELPING NON-PROFITS DO GOOD, BETTER
https://www.poweredbyaction.org/
From the web site "Powered by Action is a 501(c)3 organization that amplifies the efforts of those trying to change the world by connecting people anywhere as though they were in the same room. Our expertise is powering the work of activists, experts, and people with know-how by demolishing the barriers between them and the people they want to help. We believe connections build movements. People with knowledge and innovative ideas are already out there – they simply need help helping others. That’s where we come in. As global technology leaders, we know how to build systems that empower nonprofit organizations to reach more people effectively. Our expertise powers theirs. We’re here to provide tools that individuals and organizations need to more effectively achieve their development goals. And we’re here to inspire action that creates results, achieving higher returns on donations and investments by deploying a different approach to sustainable development."
PRESENTE ON FACEBOOK - ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Presentee/
Presente! is a group started on Facebook in 2011, intended to boost and to bond alternative educational initiatives by connecting leaders of successful projects around the world in a lively exchange of ideas. It's goal is to "combine our strengths to mobilize the mainstream in order to follow new ways in education."
PROFIT FOR PURPOSE - SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
https://archive.skoll.org/2006/09/25/profit-for-a-purpose/
Capitalism and financial gain are the driving force behind our entire economic system. However, does the wealth gained benefit the entire world or just a few fortunate entrepreneurs? This article was referenced in a Profit for Purpose discussion hosted on the Social Edge platform in September 2006.
Here's another article by Jeff Mowatt about “Profit for Purpose”
https://peoplecentred.medium.com/what-is-profit-for-purpose-c26bd96cf244
PUBLIC GOOD - STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS
https://publicgood.com/
From the web site: "Public Good is a place for people who care about the world’s most important causes to come together and make a difference. It starts with our Take Action technology, which connects people reading the news to actions they can take to support nonprofits in their communities and around the world. Whether it’s helping with hurricane relief, refugees, animal rights, or education, Public Good’s 1.1 million nonprofit organizations are on the front lines making it better, and they need your help. Public Good isn’t just a petition platform or a crowdfunding site. There are lots of different ways to make an impact ranging from volunteering to hosting a book drive to adopting a pet. You can also meet like-minded people and form communities around the causes you care about. Public Good is civic action online."
SHARED VALUE INITIATIVE
https://www.sharedvalue.org/
From the website: "The Shared Value Initiative is building a community of leaders who are activating their own potential for impact so that everyone can realize their possibility and live a life of dignity. We are driven by pioneers, the curious, knowledge seekers, idea generators, and committed leaders who want to make the world a more equitable, healthy and sustainable place."
SOCAP - NETWORK OF INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND SOCIAL IMPACT LEADERS
https://socapglobal.com/
From the website: "SOCAP is the largest and most diverse impact investing community in the world. We convene a global ecosystem and marketplace – social entrepreneurs, investors, foundation and nonprofit leaders, government and policy leaders, creators, corporations, academics, and beyond – through live and digital content experiences that educate, spur conversation, and inspire investment in positive impact."
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS (SEE)
https://saveourplanet.org/about-see/
From the web site: "Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs’ mission is to empower, encourage and catalyze individuals to facilitate progressive change in areas of social justice and ecological restoration. SEE handles back office work so the project workers’ time is freed up to focus on the fieldwork. SEE processes all donations for the individual projects, files appropriate paperwork with government agencies, sees to paying all related bills of the project, issues tax-receipts to donors and maintains a professional office for the projects. In addition to the administrative and accounting duties, the SEE staff offers support in grant-seeking, tabling events and general community outreach."
SOCIAL EDGE DISCUSSIONS NOW ARCHIVED ON SKOLL WORLD FORUM SITE
https://archive.skoll.org/category/social-edge/
From 2003-2013 social entrepreneurs from around the world gathered on the Social Edge site to share ideas and resources. While this is no longer active, the archives are still available.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE
https://socialenterprise.us/about/
From the web site: "Social Enterprise Alliance is the national membership organization and key catalyst for the rapidly growing social enterprise movement in the United States. We provide social enterprises with the resources they need to succeed, support and grow social entrepreneurship on a national scale and serve as a voice for more sustainable social impact."
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CHICAGO - DIRECTORY
https://socentchi.com/
From the website: "SocEntChi provides a comprehensive list of social impact companies registered or operating in Illinois, including Low-Profit Limitity Liability Corporations (L3C's), Non-Profit organizations (501(c)3's, Benefit Corporations and BCorps." Launched in 2022 the organization seeks to be "the primary convener of all the players in the social enterprise ecosystem in the metro Chicago region."
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CONFERENCE AT HARVARD
http://socialenterpriseconference.org/
From the web site: The Annual Social Enterprise Conference (SECON), presented by students at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, brings together top leaders, practitioners and students to engage in dialogue, debate, and expression around Social Enterprise. Our mission is to educate participants about Social Enterprise’s potential in solving the world’s most pressing problems and to inspire meaningful discussion around the key challenges within the field."
SOCIAL INNOVATION – THE LAST AND NEXT DECADE - ARTICLE
https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/social-innovation-the-last-and-next-decade/
From the web site: "Social innovation is not a new concept or practice, but in the last decade it has taken off. There are now hundreds of social innovation centres, funds, courses and incubators of all kinds, most of which didn’t exist 10 years ago. In this short, and far from comprehensive, note - prepared for the SIX Wayfinder, which Nesta is hosting this month - I attempt an overview of what was achieved over the last decade, what’s missing, and what might be priorities for the decade ahead, in what is likely to be a much less favourable political climate in many countries."
SOCIAL INNOVATION NETWORKING RESOURCE LIST
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1uSbfCbZg5_tjKWJYNV38SrYdZrlbgrO8R7E866Iw3uA&hl=en
This Google doc contains a list social innovation resources. Looks like it is updated. The list is hosted by Katharine Bierce, http://www.facebook.com/kbierce
SOCIAL OR CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP - A NEW DEFINITION?
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/social_or_cultural_entrepreneurship_an_argument_for_a_new_distinction
This article on Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) suggests that "Cultural entrepreneurship is different than social entrepreneurship because it is primarily focused on re-imagining social roles and motivating new behaviors." What do you think?
SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL
https://www.socialventurepartners.org/what-we-do/
From the web site: "Social Venture Partners does more than give money. We amplify the impact of those out to do good in three distinct ways: 1) Connect and engage individuals, helping them make the greatest impact with their time and philanthropic giving; 2) Fund and strengthen nonprofits, helping them take their vital work for kids and the environment to the next level; and 3) Invest in collaborative solutions, so those with a common cause can align their efforts and go farther, together.
SOHODOJO - A 1990s-2010 SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, INCLUDING OMIDYAR.NET
http://www.sohodojo.com/views.html
From the site: "Sohodojo is an independent, self-funded applied research and development laboratory with an associated education mission to support solo and family-based microenterprise and small business entrepreneurs in rural and distressed urban communities. Sohodojo is essentially a "organizational wrapper" on the entrepreneurial free agent activities of Jim Salmons and Timlynn Babitsky. We operated Sohodojo actively from the late 1990s through 2010. The site remains on-line as a wealth of provocative ideas and first-person experience reports for what it is like to envision and pursue the "Small Is Good" World as a complementary "engine" to the conventional "bigger, faster, stronger" approach of the "Big Is Good" World." Sohodojo was active in the Omidyar network in the mid 2000s and one archive on this site is a blog that captures many of the conversations that were held at "O-Net".
STANFORD SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEW (SSIR) BLOG
https://ssir.org/
From the web site: "Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) informs and inspires millions of social change leaders from around the world and from all sectors of society—nonprofits, business, and government. With webinars, conferences, magazines, online articles, podcasts, and more, SSIR bridges research, theory, and practice on a wide range of topics, including human rights, impact investing, and nonprofit business models. SSIR is published by the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University." Lots of good ideas, and expansive network-building opportunities.
THE CHURCHILL CLUB OF AUSTRALIA
https://churchillclub.org.au/
From the web site: The Churchill Club is "Supporting businesses to scale-up by sparking conversations, facilitating connections and encouraging knowledge sharing in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology."
THE COMMON ROOF - CO-LOCATION EXAMPLE
https://www.newpathfoundation.org/the-common-roof
This is an example of a social enterprise supporting a variety of non profits and other SE's focusing on common purpose. From the web site: "The Common Roof is a community-based social enterprise providing sustainable and professional workspace for human-service and non-profit organizations. The Common Roof not only provides stable, affordable workspace, infrastructure and shared services to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness, but also provides opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration between partner organizations."
THE COMMONS AS A TRANSFORMATIVE VISION
https://www.shareable.net/the-commons-as-a-transformative-vision/
From the website: "This essay originally appeared in The Wealth of the Commons, which is a collection of 73 essays describe the enormous potential of the commons in conceptualizing and building a better future."
THE ENSPIRAL NETWORK - NEW ZEALAND
https://www.enspiral.com/
Visit this site to see a description of the Enspiral Network, described as: "Social enterprise ventures and social entrepreneurs working together with shared vision and values."
THE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY EXPLORER - SHOWCASE THE MOST INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND CITIES
https://goexplorer.org/
From the web site: "Rooted in over five years of research involving 18,000 business leaders and 17 expert panels, the Explorer guides you through hundreds of sustainable solutions and market opportunities which address the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The Global Opportunity Explorer also showcases 300 of the most innovative urban climate solutions from cities around the world." Browse the site and learn about its resources.
THE GRAY MATTER EXPERIENCE - INCUBATES YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS
https://www.graymatterexperience.com/
From the website: "Gray Matter Experience exists to give opportunities for Chicago high school students to learn about and practice entrepreneurship at an early age. We hope that our students gain knowledge, access and resources to transform the way they and others view their communities. Through our programs, youth collaborate to develop solutions around problems that plague their communities and use their newfound knowledge gained through The Gray Matter Experience, to help shape their business approach."
THE WEALTH OF THE COMMONS - A WORLD BEYOND MARKET AND STATE
http://www.wealthofthecommons.org/essay/introduction-commons-transformative-vision
From the web site: "Over the past few years an explosion of innovative activism, scholarship and projects focused on the commons has been gaining momentum around the world. This growing movement consists of activists fighting international land grabs and the privatization of water; commoners collectively managing forests, fisheries and farmlands; Internet users generating software and Web content that can be shared and improved; and urban dwellers reclaiming public spaces. The Wealth of the Commons brings together the most vibrant strands of this burgeoning international work into a single volume, revealing the significant potential of the commons as a new force in politics, economics and culture."
THRULINE NETWORKS - IMPACT VENTURE STUDIO THAT FOCUSES ON U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
https://www.thrulinenetworks.com/
From the website: "Our mission is to build and grow people and organizations that solve sticky problems related to UN Sustainable Development Goals in a way that is impactful, scalable and profitable."
x4 IMPACT IS A FREE MARKET INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION
https://x4i.org/
From the website: "X4Impact, a market intelligence platform for social innovation. We want to empower tens of thousands of Entrepreneurs, Impact Investors, Philanthropists, and Tech Solution Providers, to create Technology for the Public Interest and do well while doing good." Launched in 2020.
Social Entrepreneurs are People Working to Create a Better World - Links Section of Tutor/Mentor Library
The links in this section of the library point to social entrepreneurs, organizations and networks around the world
The site where this information has been hosted is now only available as an archive.
This map shows social entrepreneurs from around
the world who connected with each other via
the 2012 JellyWeek event.
Social Entrepreneurs usually are people who work
for profit and purpose. Although many work
in non-profit organizations.
Learn about the JellyWeek worldwide connections
at https://jellyweek.tumblr.com/
The links below are sub-categories in this section of the library.
Social Enterprise Networks - click here
Social Enterprise Funding - click here
If you find broken links send information to tutormentor 2 at earthlink.net
Note: Many of the youth program blogs on this list are archives or have not been updated for several years. They show what's possible with a blog. If you are aware of Chicago or national tutor/mentor programs blogs, send a link and description to the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC
100 BLACK MEN OF CHICAGO MENTORING BLOG
https://100bmc.org/mentoring/
Follow this blog and learn more of their mentoring strategy and activities.
ACTUARIAL FOUNDATION BLOG
https://actuarialfoundation.org/category/blog/
From the website: "The Actuarial Foundation partners with actuaries and others to equip the public with the tools it needs to make informed decisions and cultivate the next generation of problem solvers and leaders." Read the blog article on their site.
A MENTORS BLOG - POLISHED PEBBLES
https://kellyfairthementor.com/
Kelly Fair is founder and leader of Polished Pebbles in Chicago. She uses her blog to educate, inspire and promote the work her organization is doing.
A NEW VOICE FROM ENGLEWOOD (CHICAGO)
http://mrsenglewood.blogspot.com/
This is an example of how one person can write articles that draw attention to a neighborhood, and to the organizations working to help youth and families in the neighborhood. Youth and adults from many neighborhoods could take this role.
ALL STARS PROJECT BLOG
https://gabriellekurlander.wordpress.com/
This is blog by Gabrielle L. Kurlander, founder and leader of the All Stars Project, which grew from a grassroots all-volunteer effort in the early 2000s, into a new national model for engaging poverty through afterschool development and community organizing.
BECOMING WE THE PEOPLE BLOG - 2010-11 ARCHIVE
https://becomingwethepeople.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/
This blog was written by Jordan Hesterman who was an active participant in the Chicago Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conferences between 2011 and 2015.
BEST PRACTICES IN MENTORING - EDITORIAL IN "THE MENTOR NEWS"
https://us6.campaign-archive.com/?u=15a0d2ac5bc4aa7d41ef32a3c&id=af58552b47&e=5a00000326
Peer Resources publishes a monthly newsletter which has many resources mentoring and coaching leaders should value. In this issue the feature editorial offers some stimulating thinking about best practices.
BEYOND MENTORING: ENGAGING MENTORS TO SUPPORT RECRUITMENT, FUNDRAISING AND BEYOND (VIDEO)
https://youtu.be/ygC0air3yII
This interactive 2016 National Mentoring Summit workshop by Mentoring Colorado provided participants with an understanding of how mentors can support program needs through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, advocacy and other initiatives.
BLOG ARTICLES FROM 2008-09 BY NUPIP FELLOW AT TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION
http://chrispip.blogspot.com/2009/07/concept-mapping-my-blog.html
From July 2008 through July 2009 Chris Warren served for one year in a Northwestern University Public Service Program fellowship at Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection. Chris wrote articles profiling the students and volunteers at Cabrini Connections and making sense of the ideas of the Tutor/Mentor Connection. Some of these can be read from year-to-year and used in many places. I hope you find them valuable.
BOREN MENTORING INITIATIVE (OKLAHOMA) BLOG
http://okmentor.blogspot.com/
This blog was written from 2012 to 2018 to support, and communicate ideas about, youth mentoring in Oklahoma.
CABRINI CONNECTIONS BLOG - 2006-JULY 2011
http://cabriniblog.blogspot.com/
This blog was used from 2006-2011 to coach the students, volunteers and donors of Cabrini Connections, which operates in Chicago. This program was operating as a sister project to the Tutor/Mentor Connection during that time. You'll see that while we talked about a single program in many of our articles we used this to make a case for more consistent support for ALL tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago region and in other cities. Note the links on the right side to blogs written by students and volunteers in the program.
COMMUNITY FOR YOUTH - SEATTLE
https://www.communityforyouth.org/blog/
CfY is a one-on-one mentoring program serving teens in Seattle.
FEMI MEMORIAL OUTREACH - CHICAGO YOUTH ORG BLOG
http://femioutreach.blogspot.com/
Femi Memorial Outreach uses its blog "to reach out to students, families, and those devoted to learning about public education in the city of Chicago". The last post is from 2017.
GET IN CHICAGO BLOG ARTICLES - CITY INITIATIVE TO LEARN FROM
https://getinchicagoblog.wordpress.com/
Get In Chicago is a $50 million anti-violence commitment focused on a few Chicago neighborhoods.
May 2020 T/MI editor note: This blog is an archive. No new posts since 2016. This initiative was launched with huge business and civic leadership support but it's not clear how active it is in 2020, just 4 years later. The lesson to leaders is that "if you start something like this, keep it going".
GR8 MATES YOUTH MENTOR PROGRAM BLOG
http://gr8matesmentor.blogspot.com/
This blog was written from 2007 to 2009 by Robin Cox, a veteran mentoring leader and consultant, based in Australia. While it's now an archive, it's still full of great ideas that leaders of other tutor/mentor programs can draw from.
GREAT LIFE MENTORING BLOG - CLARK COUNTY, WA
https://greatlifementoring.com/blog/
This is a blog by a mentoring program that started in 2000 in Clark County, WA.
I-MENTOR CHICAGO BLOG
https://imentor.org/social-hub/blog
From the web site: "iMentor matches every student in partner high schools with a committed college-educated mentor, equipped to guide that young person on their journey to college graduation."
INSTITUTO DEL PROGRESO LATINO
https://www.institutochicago.org/apps/news/category/4201
From the website: “Our mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training and employment that fosters full participation in the changing United States society while preserving cultural identity and dignity.”
INTERNS-TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION BLOG
http://michaelcnt.blogspot.com/
This blog was started in 2006 by a Tutor/Mentor Connection intern from Hong Kong. It's been used since to showcase work other interns have done since 2006 to share ideas and strategies of the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.
INVISIBLE CHILDREN BLOG
https://invisiblechildren.com/blog/
This is an organization based in the US who work to support children in Africa. This description is from their web site: "Half our work happens on the ground in Central Africa, and the other half happens in the United States. In Central Africa, all of our programming is a partnership between Invisible Children and LRA-affected communities. We focus on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their futures and the futures of their countries. Our programs are carefully developed initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, and financial stability. Our work in the United States focuses on advocacy and inspiring America’s youth to “do more than just watch.” We believe that by uniting our voices we can use the systems, influence, and resources of the United States to expedite an end to the conflict."
JUMP START
https://www.jstart.org/resources/blog/
From the website: “Jump Start seeks to help children from under-resourced communities receive individualized attention before they enter kindergarten, giving them the critical academic and social skills—the ‘jumpstart’—they need to succeed.”
MALE MOGUL INITIATIVE BLOG
https://malemogulinitiative.org/blog/
The Male Mogul Initiative was started by Walter Mendenhall, a former NFL football player. The initiative seeks to transform under resourced communities by offering youth and returning citizens leadership and entrepreneurial training. This link points to the blog articles on their website.
MAPPINGFORJUSTICE BLOG
http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com
The mappingforjustice blog was started in 2008 by the Tutor/Mentor Connection to share maps about poverty, inequality and youth tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago region. Since 2011 it's also been used to point to data mapping platforms being created by others in Chicago and around the world.
MATH CIRCLES OF CHICAGO BLOG
https://mathcirclesofchicago.org/blog/
From the website: "Math Circles of Chicago provides free programs outside of regular school hours. Our priority is to provide equitable access to those students living in Chicago and attending public schools." Read their blog articles to learn more.
MENTOR NEBRASKA BLOG
https://www.mentornebraska.org/category/blog/
MentorNebraska supports more than 60 mentoring programs throughout the state. Follow their blog to learn from their efforts.
THE BASE - SPORTS AND MENTORING.
https://thebase.org/stories/
From the web site; "The BASE, founded in 2013, combines exceptional baseball and softball training and competition with academic and career resources to empower student-athletes to achieve their full potential both on and off the field." Operates in Boston, Pittsburgh and Chicago.
THE MENTORING EFFECT - BLOG FROM MENTOR
https://www.mentoring.org/what-we-do/blog/
This is a blog hosted by MENTOR, intending to "more deeply explore the findings of our Mentoring Effect report, published in January 2014!"
TUTORMENTORCONNECTION.NING.COM BLOG LIST
https://tutormentorconnection.ning.com/profiles/blogs
The Tutor/Mentor Connection established a community on Ning.com in 2007. Members each were able to post ideas using the blog on their personal pages. These are aggregated on this link.
TUTOR/MENTOR BLOG SHARES STRATEGY IDEAS THAT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE
Http://tutormentor.blogspot.com
This is the primary blog by Dr. Daniel F. Bassill, President, CEO of the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, which is the owner and content curator of this website and library. The first article was posted in 2005 and the blog is still active in 2022.
URBAN ALLIANCE BLOG
https://theurbanalliance.org/blog/
From the website: “Urban Alliance is building a diverse next-generation workforce by providing job skills training, mentoring, and paid internships to high school youth from under-resourced communities, predominantly youth of color. Since 1996, we’ve provided over 6,000 internships to youth across greater Washington, DC (including Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, MD, and Northern Virginia), Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit.”
URBAN GATEWAYS BLOG
https://urbangateways.org/category/blog/
From the website: Through artist residencies, performances, apprenticeships, and other activities, Urban Gateways helps young people acquire and refine artistic skills, share their talents, engage in critical thinking, explore new possibilities, and contribute to the civic discourse of our society.”
URBAN INITIATIVES (CHICAGO) - YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM BLOG
https://www.urbaninitiatives.org/news/
Read about the way this organization uses soccer in its youth development. Programs offered via public schools. The organization uses it's blog to provide information showing impact and why it is needed. Good model for other organizations.
WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS (WITS) CHICAGO BLOG
https://witschicago.org/blog
Working in the Schools has connected volunteers with elementary age youth in Chicago for 29 years (as of 2020). Read ideas they share on their blog