MAY 2010

Home & Healthy for Good Presented as 2010 Social Innovation

On May 4, 2010, MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn presented Home & Healthy for Good to an audience of more than 200 philanthropists, social impact investors, foundations and business leaders at the seventh annual Social Innovation Forum Showcase Event.  Modeled after venture capital forums, the event showcased six nonprofits who pitched their approaches in the areas of workforce development, obesity prevention, healthy aging, homelessness, empowering women and girls, and youth development through the arts.  Home & Healthy for Good was selected as the 2010 Social Innovator in the Housing and Homelessness track sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation, and Root Cause CEO Andrew Wolk introduced Joe Finn's presentation of the innovation.

“Root Cause and its Social Innovation Forum identify organizations that create and implement enduring solutions to social problems and give them the support they need to bring their innovative model to scale,” said Social Innovation Forum Director Susan Musinsky.  “MHSA, through Home & Healthy for Good, has proven that its strategy for tackling homelessness is cost-effective, outcome-based and sustainable.  We are thrilled to work with them and introduce others to this promising approach to ending homelessness.” 

“The Social Innovation Forum Showcase Event was an incredible experience for MHSA and Home & Healthy for Good.  I was impressed with and encouraged by attendees’ innovative thinking and enthusiasm for housing as the solution to homelessness,” said Joe Finn.  “MHSA was honored to be chosen as a member of this select group of 2010 Social Innovators and I look forward to building upon the connections we made at the Showcase.”

As part of their experience as Social Innovators, each organization worked with a consultant to develop a prospectus detailing goals, outcomes and investment opportunities in their innovations.  Click here to view the Home & Healthy for Good investment prospectus that MHSA and consultant Jim Quinn created.

Click here to view photos from the event, and click here to view videos of Innovators' three minute opening pitches to investors.  You can also visit the Root Cause blog to read more about the event and view the entire Social Innovation Forum 2010 Social Impact Investment Prospectus.

To learn more about Home & Healthy for Good and become involved in its innovative approach to ending homelessness, contact Erin Donohue at edonohue@mhsa.net or (617) 367 - 6447 ext. 25.  

JANUARY 2010

Home & Healthy for Good Selected as 2010 Social Innovator

At a celebratory event at the Parkman House in Boston on January 20, 2010, MHSA’s Housing First initiative Home & Healthy for Good was announced as a 2010 “Social Innovator” by Root Cause and its Social Innovation Forum for demonstrating a promising solution to the pressing social problem of homelessness.

Six innovative nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston were selected from more than 145 entrants in the seventh year of the nationally recognized program. More than 60 leaders in business, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector reviewed the applications in a rigorous evaluation process.

The award entitles each organization to $75,000 in cash and services, including strategy consulting, business planning, executive coaching and introductions to potential philanthropic investors to help them gain visibility and acquire the resources necessary to expand their work.

“We were very excited to be chosen as a Social Innovator,” said MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn. “We look forward to a productive partnership with Root Cause and the Social Innovation Forum.”

The Social Innovators’ strategy and business support will culminate on May 4 with participation in the Social Innovation Forum “Showcase” event, which is modeled after venture capital forums in which early-stage organizations present their ideas directly to investors. During the showcase, each nonprofit will seek to present their most compelling case for support to more than 200 potential philanthropic investors.

Root Cause is a national nonprofit organization that works toward solutions to social and economic problems. Its Social Innovation Forum seeks to develop enduring solutions to social problems by directing an alternative flow of resources to innovative and results-oriented nonprofit organizations that strive for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.

Click here to read the press release.

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