Metro United Way Seeks Social Innovators

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 4, 2009) –Do you know someone who has a burning idea that will change the community for the better? Metro United Way’s LIVE UNITED Social Innovation Prize is designed for change makers in Kentuckiana who are prepared to put their ideas into action. Prizes totaling $25,000 will be awarded to the innovators who gain the most support from the community.

Director of Community Building Howard Mason noted, “A new generation of social innovators is needed to offer 21st century solutions for the issues of today and tomorrow. Metro United Way wants to encourage and highlight the work of innovators who achieve lasting social change through a new invention, a different approach, a more effective use of known technologies or strategies, or a combination of these.”

A total of four prizes will be awarded. Three $5000 prizes will be awarded: one for the best solution in each of the areas of education, income and health. A grand prize of $10,000 will be awarded for a solution that produces results in two or more of these areas.

Finalists will be posted on Metro United Way’s website in the education, income, health or combination categories. Visitors to the website will have the opportunity to donate by credit card to one or more finalist. The winners will be determined by the highest total donations in each category. All finalists will receive the amount donated to their solutions.

The LIVE UNITED Social Innovation Prize is for expenses directly related to the implementation of the solution, and will help attract funding and other resources and support. Finalists will be offered nurturing and support to incubate their solutions. Each finalist will be connected to a “wisdom council” of mentors and advisors with whom the finalist may meet regularly. The wisdom council will be empowered to connect the finalists with additional resources for advice, training, and support.

The website for applying for the LIVE UNITED Social Innovation Prize opens May 4, 2009: www.metrounitedway.org/innovation

The deadline for submissions is July 8. For additional information, please visit, call (502) 292-6126, or email howard.mason@metrounitedway.org.