Carson J Spencer Foundation
Request for Social Enterprise Business Plans:
Advancing the Double Bottom Line of Social Awareness and
Financial Sustainability for Mental Health Initiatives
Awarding $5,000 seed money to help advance mental health field
An Overview
The Carson J Spencer Foundation, established in 2005, is dedicated to preserving the memory of Carson J. Spencer, who took his own life after an acute cycle of bipolar disorder on December 7, 2004. The Carson J Spencer Foundation envisions a world where leaders and communities are committed to sustaining a passion for life.
The mission of the Carson J Spencer Foundation is advanced by funding social enterprise for sustainable mental health initiatives, delivering innovative suicide prevention programs targeting the working age population, and supporting the education of emerging entrepreneurs and leaders
What is CJSF Interested in Awarding?
The Carson J Spencer Foundation (CJSF) is sponsoring a business plan competition awarding $5,000 of start-up or capacity building funds for sustainable social enterprises addressing suicide prevention and mental health promotion.
In alliance with its mission, CJSF is interested in supporting organizations that:
- Increase awareness of bipolar disorder and suicide
- Increase early identification and intervention for mental disorders that pose a risk for suicide
- Actively work toward promoting mental health
- Promote social action and public involvement in suicide prevention
- Are innovative, entrepreneurial and self-sustaining (bringing a product or service to market)
- Are collaborative and desire to a build lasting relationship with CJSF
All agencies submitting applications must have non-profit 501c3 status. Awards are distributed in thirds over two years (initial, middle, and final project installments) and the business plan must be implemented in this timeline. Preferred applications will offer CJSF an opportunity to support and build partnerships in sustainable social enterprise targeting high risk populations.
What is Social Enterprise?
A "social enterprise" is a practical solution to a social problem that combines innovation, resourcefulness and opportunity and ultimately provides both financial and social returns. The primary objective of a social enterprise is to create a product or service that has social value and has the potential for wider replication. From entrepreneurial principles, the social enterprise is developed with a clear business plan that demonstrates accountability (through evaluation) and - preferably - sustainability.
What is Venture Philanthropy?
"Venture philanthropy" occurs when foundations apply certain practices used by venture capitalists when investing in new social enterprises. For the Carson J Spencer Foundation, the following are key elements of venture philanthropy.
- Building a parnter relationship with our grantee. We believe that investment in our relationships is more effective than charity.
- Funding goes toward start-up expenses for a social enterprise with the hope that the product or services becomes self-sustaining.
- Social enterprise impacts a "double bottom line," offering financial and social returns to the parent nonprofit organization and the larger social cause.
|