CHARLOTTE, NC – SEED20, the nonprofit social entrepreneur competition launched by Social Venture Partners Charlotte, has just announced the inaugural SEED20 Class of 2012:
- CARS Inspiring Youth
- The Center for Community Transitions
- Charlotte Community ToolBank
- Charlotte Teachers Institute
- Circle de Luz
- Easter Seals UCP
- Exodus Foundation
- Friendship Gardens
- Inspire the Fire
- Julie Jones
- Let Me Run
- McClintock Partners in Education
- Mothers Raising Sons
- The Relatives
- Second Helping of Charlotte
- Silent Images
- Sow Much Good
- Street Soccer 945
- Sustain Charlotte
- Urban League of Central Carolinas
These 20 innovators – selected from an applicant pool of 82 – have compelling ideas for creating positive social change that can have real impact in the Charlotte region. Now, SVP Charlotte and over 40 volunteer coaches – made up of business and nonprofit leaders from across the region – will work with the SEED20 Class of 2012 over the next several weeks to hone their messages and presentation skills. At the end of this coaching period, SVP Charlotte will choose 10 finalists who will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience at SEED20Unleashed! on the evening of March 6, 2012.
At this high-energy event, to be held at UNC Charlotte’s new Center City Campus, all of the SEED20 Class of 2012 will be showcased and the 10 finalists will make three-minute “pitches” to a panel of judges and an audience of business, academic and nonprofit leaders, foundation executives, the media and others interested in supporting the growth of social value in our region. Finalists will compete to win a total of $30,000 in grants, and all attendees will have the chance to network and celebrate social entrepreneurs and the energy and ideas they bring to our region. Four grants totaling $30,000 will be awarded as follows: Judging Panel First and Second Place Awards of $15,000 and $7,500, respectively; Coaches Award of $5,000; and Audience Choice award of $2,500. Tickets go on sale at noon on Thursday, January 19.
“Our inaugural SEED20 competition was extremely competitive, and it wasn’t easy narrowing the applicant field from 82 to 20,” said Susan Daniel, Executive Director of SVP Charlotte. “We have an outstanding group of social entrepreneurs to spotlight and support, and we are eager to meet and start working with them.”
The SEED20 Class of 2012 was chosen based on their innovation and potential for tangible societal impact. SEED stands for Social Entrepreneurs Empowered, and the competition aligns with SVP Charlotte’s mission by helping to grow the region’s social entrepreneur community. SEED20 (www.seed20.org) is made possible with investors Wells Fargo, Knight Foundation, and UNC Charlotte as well as strategic marketing partner, Topics Education. The competition was open to any individual or nonprofit organization from Mecklenburg or bordering counties with a great idea and a passionate commitment to seeing it impact social change.
About Social Venture Partners Charlotte
Social Venture Partners Charlotte (SVP Charlotte) is a diverse network of engaged individuals who are addressing community needs through a new model of giving – Venture Philanthropy. SVP Charlotte brings the collective expertise, creativity, time and money of our members and their networks to develop and support promising social initiatives and nonprofits. In addition, SVP Charlotte strives to foster a community of socially-conscious and well-informed donors through engagement with Investees, collaboration with other SVP partners, and participation in educational events. To learn more, please visit www.svpcharlotte.org.
