America Forward

TIME Magazine Highlights ServiceNation Summit

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:30:00 GMT

We’re delighted to see national service pushing even farther to the forefront of politicians’ and media leaders’ minds! Only last week, Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME magazine, trumpeted the launch of Be the Change’s ServiceNation campaign in September as a real “place for not only dialogue but also action.” Be the Change, a member of the America Forward Coalition, is organizing grassroots efforts and supporting legislation to bring about “better public policy, promote active citizenship and citizen democracy.”

For Some Boomers, Retirement Marks a New Career in the Social Sector

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:45:00 GMT

The face of social entrepreneurship isn’t just that of the young and energetic. Rather, giving back is something that more and more Americans at all stages of life want to do. Even after traditional retirement, almost half of the 78 million aging baby boomers are considering taking up “encore careers” in the social sector. “Our dodderdom may have consequences for society every bit as profound as our youth did!” writes Nicholas Kristof in Sunday’s New York Times. When service is no longer a passing passion of the young, but an integral part of the national ethos, America’s “leaders and citizens will [be able to] work together to foster innovation in the social sector!” The leadership that experienced, older Americans bring to the social sector can provide a model for full national involvement in service, and add weight and authority to the innovations of social entrepreneurs.

Albert Hunt Highlights America Forward

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:30:00 GMT

This Fourth of July weekend, Albert Hunt, Executive Editor of the Washington Bureau for Bloomberg News, spotlighted America Forward and the power of social entrepreneurship in an article in the International Herald Tribune. Hunt connects the America Forward message to the common commitment of both Senator McCain and Senator Obama to national service and public-private partnerships to solve America's pressing social problems. Hunt writes, "Social entrepreneurs are pushing a new paradigm that bridges partisan and philosophical divides," he calls social entrepreneurs "idealists without illusions" and praises the work of coalition members like Teach For America, Year Up, and New Leaders for New Schools.
ders for New Schools.

America Forward Policy Ideas Continue to Pop Up on the Campaign Trail

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Senator Obama has once again included the America Forward policy ideas in one of his national speeches! Yesterday he gave a speech in Colorado Springs about citizen service and included the America Forward policy ideas of a Social Investment Fund Network and Social Entrepreneurship Agency in the speech. Click here to read a Washington Post article on the speech. Our ideas are also on his website, under the "Service" Issue tab and categorized as "Investing in the Nonprofit Sector."

How do you revive a struggling city? Urban Next Summit brings together CEOs and volunteers to ...

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:30:00 GMT

It’s strange to think that even though the vast majority of Americans live and work in cities, “urban still equals “bad” in the minds of many Americans and in the stories of the American press.” Shouldn’t they be homes and centers of life and light for those who live there? CEOs for Cities and NOLA YURP (New Orleans Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals Initiative) certainly think so; and together they’re hosting the Urban Next Summit in New Orleans from July 24-25 to share ideas on how to revitalize sagging urban communities.

Aspen ’s “Big Ideas” Include Many of America Forward’s

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

The Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program of the Aspen Institute recently released a major report highlighting ten policy innovations for the nonprofit and social sector. According to Aspen, “This report puts together in one place the proposals of leading thinkers in the field who are working to address social problems and improve the lives of those in need through improved nonprofit-government policies. We believe these ideas, if implemented, would go a long way towards strengthening nonprofit organizations and communities throughout the United States.”

Why Have National Service? Clarksville Sees Firsthand.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:15:00 GMT

What difference can national service volunteers make to us? “I can literally tell you that if it was not for them, […] we would be much worse off,” says Mike Russell, Alderman of Clarksville, Missouri. To be exact, if it were not for the efforts of AmeriCorps relief teams, the surging Mississippi River would likely be running through Clarksville’s City Hall today.

Embracing Cultural Innovation

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:30:00 GMT

I'm encouraged to see Jill Medvedow's recognition of the importance of music and arts to our emerging, creative economy. In addition to bringing billions of dollars into the Commonwealth through cultural entertainment, Ms. Medvedow and Governor Deval Patrick clearly view the arts—along with technology, science, and entrepreneurship—as a key driver of economic innovation itself.

Call for a Social Investment Fund

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:15:00 GMT

Is it so exciting to see the momentum of social entrepreneurship in America and the growing dialogue on high-impact, results-driven organizations! In an editorial on June 8 in The Boston Globe, Jill Medvedow, director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, called for a $1 billion social impact fund to support the expansion and replication of social entrepreneurial organizations like Boston-based America Forward Coalition members City Year, Year Up, Jumpstart, and Citizen Schools, which have expanded across the country. Like Medvedow’s idea for a statewide fund, America Forward is proposing a Community Solutions Fund to work in local communities across the country to scale impact-oriented organizations. As Medvedow shows, the principles of results, accountability, and innovation are held by social entrepreneurs and leaders in the arts, business, and government communities as well.

The National Service Express Rolls On!

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:45:00 GMT

This spring, Sean Edwin and Matt Wilhelm traveled the country by bus for the National Service Express Tour. They hit 30 cities in 60 days, holding meetings and other events to encourage AmeriCorps alums to ask politicians to expand national service.

Public Innovators

America Forward — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:00:00 GMT

NOLA YURP Initiative

America Forward — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:15:00 GMT

Thank You, Senator Kennedy

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT

In today’s Washington Post, there’s a photo of Senator and Mrs. Kennedy taken yesterday, after he left the hospital. They’re walking down to their dock on their way to go sailing, both dressed in matching City Year red jackets (City Year is an America Forward coalition member). “Good for him!” was my first thought. Then I said a silent “thank you”—for everything he has done to promote the work we care about so deeply. Senator Kennedy has been an enthusiastic champion of City Year for years, and it’s safe to say that City Year would not be as robust as it is today without him. In fact, AmeriCorps wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for his unwavering support of service. He continues to support the work of social entrepreneurs, including working with America Forward coalition member Citizen Schools to introduce the T-FELAS Act, which will create a 10,000-member national corps of recent college graduates who would lead after-school programs and work in schools in the morning. Thank you, Senator Kennedy.

Public Innovators - Walking the Accountability/Innovation Tight Rope

Mon, 26 May 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor recently took part in a roundtable, co-hosted by the Aspen Institute and Root Cause Public Innovators, to discuss the newly released report, “Advancing Social Entrepreneurship: Recommendations for Policy Makers and Government Agencies”. Included in the panel were a government official, a social entrepreneur, two think tank policy experts representing the political left and right, and an expert on social entrepreneurship.

Clintons Join America Forward In Portland, Oregon!

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:15:00 GMT

For months, America Forward has been offering the presidential campaigns site visit and service opportunities with coalition organizations. We are excited to let you know that this past weekend we had a successful event with Chelsea and President Clinton! On Sunday, May 18th, President Clinton and Chelsea joined America Forward coalition members—“I Have A Dream” Foundation, Experience Corps, and Hands On Network—at Woodlawn Elementary School in Portland to build a community garden and highlight the innovative work being done by social entrepreneurs. More than 120 people participated and numerous local and national press outlets covered the event.