The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is expanding its focus on social impact.
While the nonprofit has operated its Social Innovation Accelerator alongside Accenture for years, United Way is planning to launch a Social Innovation Incubator to address systemic racial and gender inequalities in the ecosystem this fall. And it has put out a call for local early-stage social ventures for its first cohort.
“Launching the Social Innovation Incubator will allow us to lift even more talented social entrepreneurs who have a vision for our region,” said Jennifer Sampson, CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, in a statement.
Like other incubator programs, the 12-week online Social Innovation Incubator, which is sponsored by Comerica Bank, offers mentorship and training on how to validate a business plan. However, with a focus on organizations led or staffed by women and people of color, the incubator will also address the historic barriers they face, like a lack of resources, opportunity and funding. To address the latter of those, United Way said it is planning to provide seed funding to cohort members, in addition to the opportunity to win $5,000 at a pitch competition.
“This is something that will benefit all of North Texas because we need innovative ideas and new voices, from more diverse places, to make sure this community works for everyone,” said Alexis Snow, senior manager of innovation at United Way, in a statement.
The Social Innovation Incubator is looking for non- and for-profit ventures addressing things like health, education or income in the local community and looking to develop a 3-year growth and financial plan. Applications for the first cohort are open until August 1. Organizations from Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and southern Denton counties can apply.
The local United Way has long focused on social impact with its Social Innovation Lab, which offers programing, investment opportunities and competitions for ventures focused on making a change in the community. The nonprofit’s Social Innovation Accelerator, launched in 2013, is part of the lab. According to United Way, the accelerator program has invested nearly $6 million in funding and in-kind services to 54 social impact ventures. In addition to the new incubator program, United Way is also planning to launch a Model Replication Workshop next year to help replicate and scale local ventures to expand their reach and impact across the region.
“Creating equitable opportunities for social entrepreneurs and innovation will be vital in ensuring North Texas’ economic recovery efforts are inclusive,” said Amanda Mahaney, Comerica Bank Dallas market president, in a statement.
In addition to the announcement of the incubator’s launch, United Way also unveiled the members of the newest accelerator cohort. Meet the new members below.
- AES Literacy Institute – an organization helping non-high school graduates earn their Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.
- The Artist Outreach – an organization using the creative arts to teach students language, math and other concepts.
- Aspiratia Village – a community that provides safe housing for the homeless and opportunities to help them find employment. Aspiratia is a venture of Ark of Hope Inc.
- BT Foundry – a nonprofit focused on providing job experience and paid internships in marketing and advertising.
- Combined Arms – an organization helping veterans return to civilian life. Combined is a part of The Texas Veterans Network.
- ESTe²M Builders – a STEM-education organization
- FEED Oak Cliff is a nonprofit that develops grocery stores, healthy restaurants and provides community kitchen space to increase entrepreneurship and eliminate food deserts.
- Veritas Impact Partners – an organization addressing the barriers of telehealth adoption in the community.
- Wesley-Rankin Aspiring Professionals – a “pre-apprenticeship” program for high school students.
- Yumlish – an AI-powered solution providing nutritional therapy for people with diabetes that addresses the socioeconomic barriers to a healthy diet.
