COMMON GROUND CONSULTING LLC

Apply for an Echoing Green Fellowship (Updated)

This year, Common Ground is acting as a search partner for the Echoing Green Foundation. We've had the pleasure of working directly with EG for more than 15 years, as well as with several of their fellows, including George Soros who founded Building Tomorrow. We're working closely with George and his team on a strategic growth plan and just returned from Uganda, where his organization is about to finish building its 10th primary school.

To accelerate social change, Echoing Green invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions. Through a two-year fellowship program, they help their network of visionaries develop new solutions to society’s most difficult problems.

These social entrepreneurs and their organizations work to solve deeply-rooted social, environmental, economic, and political inequities to ensure equal access and to help all individuals reach their potential. To date, Echoing Green has invested nearly $30 million in seed funding to almost 500 social entrepreneurs and their innovative organizations.

Echoing Green unleashes next generation talent to solve the world’s biggest problems. Through their Fellowship program, they identify promising social entrepreneurs with bold ideas and provide them with up to $90,000 in seed funding, strategic support, leadership development, and a powerful community of nearly 500 other Fellows and Alumni.

Echoing Green is particularly excited to announce a new hands-on approach to preparing applicants from groups underrepresented in their recent classes, This is intended to help them to stand out in the application process—local developing country social entrepreneurs, U.S. Latinos, women, and African-Americans.

View the Application Questions:

The 2012 Echoing Green Fellowship application short answer questions are now available online. While the application doesn’t open until December 5, 2011, the questions and help text are available to give applicants a head start.

 

Register for a Webinar:

As part of our effort to increase the pool of talent and bold ideas we see each year, we're introducing four new webinars specifically designed for women, African-Americans, U.S.-based Latinos, and local leaders from developing countries. During these webinars, past Fellows from these communities will give advice on how to put your best foot forward.

11/29, 4:00-5:00 pm EST - Opportunities and Challenges for Local Leaders from Developing Countries in Social Entrepreneurship

11/30, 10:00-11:00 am EST - Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Latino Social Entrepreneurs

12/1, 10:00-11:00 am EST - Opportunities and Challenges for Female Social Entrepreneurs

12/1, 4:00-5:00 pm EST - Opportunities and Challenges for African-American Social Entrepreneurs

 

Click to Watch the General Information Webinar Video (Recorded 10/27/11)

Help Spread the Word

- Forward this post to friends and colleagues working in social change

- Share via Twitter: #EG2012Fellowship questions are out! Get a head start before the application opens on Dec 5. http://ht.ly/7owKg #socent #fellowships

- Share via Facebook: 2012 Echoing Green Fellowship questions are out! Get a head start on your application for social change. http://ht.ly/7owKg

Climate Change is Real (Rick Perry!)

As many of you know, I've been working with the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) for many years now. Today, my friend (and their president) George Hamilton, released an important letter about climate change. Please read his note and check out the video.

Dear Friends,

There has been much debate in the media lately about whether or not the extreme weather events we’ve been having are caused by climate change.

I say it doesn’t matter.

 

This year, record-breaking rainfall, drought,  and wildfires followed record-breaking floods, landslides, and tornadoes which followed record-breaking snowfall. All over the world.

The fact is 97% of publishing climate scientists agree that climate change is occurring and is caused primarily by human activities. And a changing climate will mean more frequent and more cataclysmic weather events for all of us.

So whether or not the overwhelming drought in Russia, the catastrophic tornadoes in Missouri, the intense wildfires in Texas, or the devastating floods in my home state of Vermont were each caused by climate change doesn’t really matter.

This is just a sample of what our future will look like if we don’t take action today.

Tomorrow, the Climate Reality Project is inviting people all over the world to share the reality of the climate crisis. People living with the impacts of climate change will tell their story through a presentation created by Al Gore and delivered once an hour for 24 hours, in every time zone around the globe. You can watch at 7pm in your time zone atwww.climaterealityproject.org.

I hope you’ll join me in telling the world that we know climate change is real – and that we can do something about it. We can reduce the impact by taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We can help communities adapt and become more resilient to climate impacts. We can think and act creatively to turn this challenge into an opportunityto build a better world for future generations.  Local action matters.

Let's go do it.

Warmly,

George Hamilton

President, the Institute for Sustainable Communities

Grants for Youth Programs

2011 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition

Deadline: May 27
America's Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation have announced the call for submissions for this year's 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING competition. The 100 Best program recognizes communities that are doing exceptional and innovative work to help reduce high school dropout rates and provide their youth with an outstanding place to live, learn and grow. Community representatives are encouraged to download the application now to gather the information needed, which includes essays by local students. Submit your application by May 4 to be eligible for additional prizes. http://bit.ly/hQZoJ2

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Parade All-America High School Service Team Awards

Deadline: May 30

Do you know remarkable youth volunteers that should be recognized for their service? The All-America High School Service Team recognizes students in grades 9 through 12 who have made exemplary contributions in the service areas of: health, education, environment, economics or community. These students see service as a solution to solve community problems and use the power of stories to inspire others to action. The top 50 finalists, 10 per issue category, will receive certificates. The top 15 (3 per issue category), will receive a two-day paid trip to Washington, D.C. to receive their award and special recognition. The deadline to nominate for this prestigious award has just been extended to Monday, May 30th, 5:00pm EST. http://bit.ly/ige3KJ

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Jumpstart Youth-led Intergenerational Programs
Deadline: May 31
Generations United and MetLife Foundation are awarding grants of $1,000 to organizations in developing youth-led intergenerational programs. Projects can range from young people assisting older people in delivering meals, teaching technology, or helping with projects around the house; or younger and older people working together to address a community issue, build a community garden or create an arts project - and many other creative projects. http://bit.ly/mCprqx

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MetLife Foundation Afterschool Innovator Award
Deadline: May 31
Nominate a program for the MetLife Foundation Afterschool Innovator Award and be highlighted in one of Afterschool Alliance's Issue Briefs: Providing Opportunities for Service Learning for Middle School Students; Aligning Afterschool with the School Day for Middle School; Addressing Middle School Bullying; and Supporting Literacy for Middle School Students. Awardees and other notable nominees will be recognized in the related Issue Brief and in the final compendium.  Each of the 5 recipients will receive an award of $10,000 to be used to continue or improve upon the highlighted program. http://bit.ly/kKQCIl

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NOYS Youth Turn It Around Awards
Deadline: May 31
Has a traffic tragedy occurred in a community near you?  You can create an educational and sustainable project to help prevent the tragedy from happening again: Utilize the YOUTH-Turn resources; Send your project proposal to YOUTH-Turn; and Implement the project in May 2011 for National Youth Traffic Safety Month. There is no timeline required of when the tragedy occurred. First Place = $5,000. Second Place = $3,000. Third Place = $2,000. http://bit.ly/lxCTif

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KaBOOM! Playful City USA Grants

Deadline: June 1
A total of 103 grants worth $2.1 million are available to Playful City USA recognized cities and towns between 2011-13. Grants range in values of $30,000, $20,000 and $15,000 and will be awarded to existing Playful City USA communities as well as communities receiving Playful City USA recognition for the first time. Communities wishing to receive grants and apply for Playful City USA status must meet five core commitments of the program: Create a local play commission task force; Design an annual action plan for play; Conduct a playspace audit of all publicly accessible play areas; Identify current spending on capital projects and maintenance of playspaces; and Proclaim and celebrate an annual "KaBOOM! Play Day". Cities and towns can apply to become a Playful City USA community by completing the online application http://bit.ly/eM5MCz

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WKCD Grad Speech Contest 2011
Deadline: June 1
"Embracing Mistakes" is the theme for the 2011 WKCD Graduation Speech Contest, because we want to hear from you—whether you are a senior or a freshman—about the good side of getting things wrong. The contest is open to youth ages 12 to 19. The speech must be 300 - 500 words long and address the theme, "Embracing Mistakes." There will be five winners ($100 gift certificate from Amazon.com). Winning speeches along with honorable mentions will appear on the WKCD website. http://bit.ly/map7rW

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Be Big In Your Community Contest

Deadline: June 17
Scholastic's Be Big Fund will help bring the winning BIG Idea that helps make your community a better place to life with help from Clifford, HandsOn Network and American Family Insurance. Awards include 1 $25,000 Grand Prize honoree, 10 $2,500 first place honorees and 19 $1.315 second place honorees will be selected. Be Big Fund prizes must be used to implement the winning proposals. http://bit.ly/eSU7Om

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Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good Community Sponsorship Program
Deadline: June 21
50 States for Good is a national initiative to support the goodness behind grassroots community projects. Six organizations will share in our $150,000 sponsorship fund, including one organization that will be given $50,000! Our panel of judges will select 20 organizations doing great things in their communities to be voted on by you. http://bit.ly/iMP8DX

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Net Literacy Financial Connects Contest

Deadline: Rolling through June 30, 2011
Net Literacy is a student-founded nonprofit where students comprise 50% of the board of directors.  Thanks to support from State Farm, students from across the country to submit short videos that teach a lesson about the importance of financial literacy.  Video entries win $100 to $500 and web-based games win $500 to $1000.  We hope to give away $100,000 in prizes as students provide the content to build a national financial literacy using their words to explain the importance of being financially literate. Eligibility: all full-time or part-time students - videos and games can be developed by a student, a group of students, or a classroom project. http://bit.ly/eDkDlX

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Captain Planet Environment Grants

Deadline: June 30
These grant opportunities support hands-on environmental projects that empower children and youth around the world to solve environmental problems in their communities. There are multiple awards ranging from $250 to $2,500. http://bit.ly/e9bXNd

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American Dream Photo Contest

Deadline: July 4

The American Dream Photo Contest is an online initiative designed specifically to involve youth in the Opportunity Nation campaign in a meaningful way.  To enter, anyone can upload two original pictures - one of their American Dream and one of their American Reality. Their images will be displayed together on a personalized web page on the OpportunityNation site, juxtaposing two visions of opportunity in America. Youth will then share their personalized link via Twitter and Facebook, sparking a dialogue with their friends and peers across the country surrounding their American Dream. The entry with the most ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ will have a chance to win great prizes, including a new Wifi iPad2 or a trip for two to the OpportunityNation national summit in New York City this November! http://bit.ly/lLjy0y

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Best Buy Community Grants
Deadline: August 1
Best Buy teams across the U.S.  select non-profit organizations that provide positive experiences to help teens to excel in school and develop life and leadership skills. Non-profits located within 50 miles of a Best Buy store or Regional Distribution Center may apply. Grants will average $4,000-$6,000 and will not exceed $10,000. http://bit.ly/l8gGrz

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Partnering for Excellence: Innovations in Science + Technology + Engineering + Math Education Competition

Deadline: August 3

If you are a changemaker with STEM expertise and the desire to realize bold, imaginative ideas for educating young people in the United States—especially in our highest-need schools—we want to hear from you! We are seeking creative approaches to solving the country’s STEM challenge by bringing the passion and real-life skills of STEM experts to advance STEM learning in public schools. The competition is open to innovations in the United States. More than $120,000 in cash and in-kind prizes from Ashoka’s Changemakers, Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Opportunity Equation, and our prize sponsors.http://bit.ly/l1Surk

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Home Depot Community Impact Grants Program

Deadline: October 31
The Home Depot Community Impact Grants Program provides support to nonprofit organizations, public schools, and public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Proposals for the following community improvement activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income and/or transitional housing or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income and/or transitional housing or community facilities; planting trees or community gardens and/or landscaping community facilities; and development of community parks or green spaces. Grants of up to $5,000 are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. http://bit.ly/eIis5T

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Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries/territories officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

 

Visit our Beyond the Hour platform to share your stories and to get inspiration from the actions our supporters have shared with us already.

Earth Hour is organized by WWF. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, it’s one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

Glimpse Correspondents Program

The Glimpse Correspondents Program is for talented writers and photographers with a passion for storytelling and a knack for finding truly unique stories. The program is open to anyone who will be working, volunteering, or studying outside of their home country for at least 10 weeks.

And it is super cool!

Glimpse believes that independent travelers, particularly those who spend significant time abroad, have a unique and often overlooked opportunity to effect positive change around the world. This begins with bearing witness to place, people, culture, and especially the stories and struggles that might otherwise go unrecorded.

Glimpse is a worldwide program powered by Matador and supported in part by the National Geographic Society. Glimpse connects young writers, journalists, photographers, and filmmakers with professional editors who help them develop their storytelling voice and media skills.

Correspondents receive the following benefits:

• $600 stipend
• Support from a team of professional editors
• Career training in writing and photography
• Guaranteed publication on Glimpse.org and Matador Network

To learn more about the Correspondents Program, check out the program requirements, frequently asked questions, and the program dates and deadlines .

Applications for the Fall 2011 Correspondents Program are now open! You can apply here for the program.

Traveling Lifts the Soul

Mark Twain once famously said that: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.”

And as I take my last short flight home from New York's JFK airport, I can't think of a better way to put it.

Working with two clients, I was able to visit seven new countries (if you include Hong Kong) and see parts of the world I had only imagined until now—Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, India, and Nepal.

Each place was so amazing, so unique. I can't imagine how I'll be able to share all of the stories. I'm really grateful to be able to do what I do. When I'm traveling for work, it means I'm doing what I love—helping social justice organizations make the world more fair and more just; and working everyday with people whose stories inspire the imagination.

I wish that I could share the sense of awe that I seem to experience almost everyday. There are days, of course, when I wake up exhausted, longing for my own bed and a simpler routine. But, it doesn't take long before I'm aching to go exploring once again—new cities, new faces, new food!

With this last adventure, I've now visited a new country for ever year I've been on the planet. For me, the longing to see the world started when I was an exchange student at sixteen. It's never stopped and I hope it never will.

Celebrating 100 Years of International Women's Day

 

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1911. Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organizations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.

Here in India, International Women's Day is a very big deal. Check out yesterday's Times of India story. And take a moment to celebrate all of the amazing women in your life.

 

 

 

The Shift Movie

Many of you have have watched the trailer for The Shift Movie in one of my workshops or during a during a keynote speech I've given.

Derrick Ashong is one of the stars of that film. He and his band Soulfège are launching an inaugural contest event, the "Fight On" Campaign named for the final track or their album Take Back the Mic, a "song for all the people who FIGHT ON in a world that doesn't see them..."

They have partnered with The Huffington Post to host the contest.

All are invited to Submit Music Videos for "Fight On" to compete for a $4,500 prize. Video submission as well as user voting will take place online.

You can see the invitation video and the full contest rules on Huffington Post.

• The "Fight On" Campaign is an interactive music video competition that gives young people the opportunity to share their own voices.
• HuffPost readers have been invited to remix and re-imagine the music video to "Fight On".
• Entries will be evaluated by HuffPost readers -- voting closes February 20, 2011.
• The Top 5 videos will then be graded by celebrity guest judges, and the winner will receive $4,500! See the full contest rules here.

To learn more about entering the contest and voting: Cick Here!

World AIDS Day 2010

Campaigners from around the world will be coming together on World AIDS Day, 1 December, to commemorate the theme of universal access and human rights. Check out my favorite site for understanding the issues by clicking here.

This year the World AIDS Campaign is working to promote the Light for Rights campaign. Light for Rights events are taking place on every continent this World AIDS Day!

We also have many other tools below (and more to come). Our partners and friends are also working to prepare to mark World AIDS Day. Check back regularly.

• Light for Rights Toolkit : Another great way to promote the World AIDS Day theme of universal access and human rights to host a “Lights for Rights" event. Click here to learn more.
• World AIDS Day International Events Calendar: Join the hundreds of campaigners from around the world each year that post their World AIDS Campaign events on our International Calendar! Now open - click here.
• The International Transport Workers' Federation has developed campaigning materials available here. Check out the HIV/AIDS: Case Studies and Good Practices also available on their site
• Videos of key messages for this year's World AIDS Day

Join us! Be a part of the international count down to World AIDS Day 2010. To keep up with the latest news and actions, you can sign up for our e-action alerts or friend us on Facebook

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world and is time to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. Since the beginning of the epidemic, an estimated 40,059 young people in the United States had received a diagnosis of AIDS, and an estimated 10,129 young people with AIDS have died. LGBTQ youth and youth of color are a higher risk for HIV and AIDS. Want to do more? Remember that taking care of you is taking care of our community and then TAKE ACTION in any of these ways:

• Learning More
• Ending Stigma
• Getting Tested

You Can Also Plan or Join a Local Event ...

• Visit worldaidscampaign.org for posters, brochures and images.
• Get help in planning a Facing AIDS event [PDF 746 KB] or other events in your community.

Looking for information about other HIV/AIDS Awareness Days?

Visit the Awareness Days page.

Youth Civic Participation in Action

Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) just released "Youth Civic Participation in Action: Meeting Community and Youth Development Needs," which highlights the growing momentum for youth civic participation worldwide as more countries develop programs to provide opportunities for young people to build skills for success while also addressing critical community needs.

This publication features brief snapshots of youth civic participation programs and policies in 101 countries on six continents.

Each snapshot provides a brief glimpse into the status of youth civic participation in the countries included and describes how young people are meeting community and youth development needs worldwide through civic participation.

The publication is available at www.icicp.org/ycpworldwide2010