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By America Forward on Thursday, October 30, 2008

In December 2007, America Forward launched with a collective vision to not only transform the national climate in which social entrepreneurs and their organizations were operating, but to ultimately create a new role for government, enabling it to support innovation, partner with results-driven organizations, and emphasize results, not rules.

Four policy ideas were brought to the table and endorsed by more than 70 organizations that joined the coalition: a Community Solutions Fund Network to bring proven solutions to scale, a Commission on Cross-Sector Solutions to examine how government can work more effectively and efficiently with the nonprofit sector, a White House Office of Social Innovation and Results to spearhead a government-wide effort to increase focus on innovation and results in social programs, and Serve America Fellowships to support future social entrepreneurs. With two goals in hand—ensuring the implementation of America Forward policy ideas and promoting the principles of social entrepreneurship to policymakers and thought leaders across sectors—the coalition set to work.

Now, with November 4th less than one week away, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on our progress and success during the past year.

• Throughout their campaigns, Senators McCain and Obama have continuously demonstrated support for America Forward principles and policy ideas. Senator McCain backs a White House Office on Service and a network of private-sector “venture capital” funds, matched with federal grants, to support job retraining and vocational training in high job loss areas. Senator Obama supports the Social Investment Fund Network and proposes creating a Social Entrepreneur Agency within the Corporation for Community and National Service to support the work of social entrepreneurs and foster innovation in the social sector.

• In September, Senators Kennedy (D-MA) and Hatch (R-UT) unveiled the Serve America Act —a landmark piece of legislation that incorporates several America Forward policy ideas. This bi-partisan bill enhances opportunities for people to serve, uses service to address our nation's most pressing challenges, fosters social entrepreneurship, and scales high-impact organizations. Several America Forward policy proposals are included in this bill, which makes the legislation core to our efforts, and momentum behind the bill is growing as 18 co-sponsors, including both Republicans and Democrats, have signed on in support.

Because of these gains, we believe that the national climate is ready for advances in social entrepreneurship and a new role for government. As we await the outcome of Election Day, we feel confident that the progress of the America Forward Coalition has set the stage to usher in a new era of results, innovation, and accountability. Furthermore, we’re ready to continue our work, ensuring that the next president both executes on these policy promises and promotes the broader principles of social entrepreneurship throughout his administration.

Posted in Election Insight, The Serve America Act, Transforming Government's Role