Solutions - Articles

Podcast

Jim Fruchterman - Harnessing Technology for Social Enterprise

Harnessing engineering innovation and technology to further social causes is one path to social enterprise. In this university podcast, sponsored by Stanford's Center for Social Innovation, former rocket scientist Jim Fruchterman talks about how he created Benetech, an organization that uses technology innovation and business expertise to solve unmet social needs. He discusses how he has leveraged the intellectual capital and resources of Silicon Valley to create solutions that are truly life changing.

Four Ways to Innovate Your Nonprofit Career

By Rosetta Thurman 1

Five ways nonprofit professionals can innovate and think differently about their careers.

Nonprofits Face Moment of Truth

By Todd Cohen 1

In light of the weakened economy, nonprofits need to refocus their efforts, take stock of their operations, make tough financial choices, and think big for investing in resources for the future.

Podcast

Dipika Matthias - Social Enterprise to Solve Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a prime target for social enterprise efforts. In this audio interview with Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman, Dipika Matthias talks about Ultra Rice, a technology developed by PATH in Seattle, which is being introduced to millions of families around the world with great health and productivity benefits. The project director talks about the genesis of the project, its progress so far, and where it is headed.

Obama’s Missed Opportunity to Change Charitable Giving

By Timothy Ogden 8

Obama could have radically changed the debate on how to allocate charitable funds if he had detailed the set of criteria used to donate his Nobel Peace Prize award money.

Nonprofits Need to Make Their Case

By Todd Cohen 1

Nonprofits must speak up and call on state and local governments to give them a greater policymaking voice.

Less What, More How: A Review of Nilofer Merchant’s The New How

By Peter Deitz

A review of The New How: Creating Business Solutions through Collaborative Strategy , a book on how to create and implement high-impact strategies for social entrepreneurship.

Crowdsourcing Social Change

By Marcia Stepanek 2

A look at examples of high-impact crowdsourcing and the movement for more open collaboration and transparency in the giving sector.

Advocacy Funding Pays Off Big

By Todd Cohen 1

Foundations can generate big impact by investing their charitable dollars in advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement.

Podcast

Steve Cole - Social Enterprise for Kids with Cancer

How can a social enterprise save the lives of young people? In this audio lecture sponsored by the Center for Social Innovation, Steve Cole talks about the Re-Mission video game, a project that inspires young people to take their pills after their cancer has been put into remission. The game was the first product of HopeLab, an organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of young people with chronic illness.