Interested in attending a conference focused on adjusting to post undergraduate life? The Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility is organizing an event just for you!

http://admin.csrwire.com/system/profile_logos/13527/original/images.jpgVermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) will be hosting a conference at Green Mountain College on Friday, April 10th for college students wondering about life after college and making an impact in the world. College students today want to engage in meaningful work that will bring about positive change in the world.  At the same time, financial pressures lead many to question whether it is possible to follow their passions and still earn a decent enough living. This conference will explore the challenges and opportunities of doing both. Join VBSR for an inspiring series of TED-style talks from mission-driven entrepreneurs and leaders of change in business, government, and education. Student will get to engage with these and other leaders in stimulating discussions and meet with them informally.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Tracy Himmel Isham at thimmeli@middlebury.edu. This event is FREE to the public!

Also please REGISTER here: http://vbsr.org/events/making_a_difference_making_a_living/

 

Interested in an international career? Come check out the Ambassador Corps Program! INFO SESSION TODAY in the CCI Adirondack House Library!

http://www.miis.edu/system/files/csil-banner-1_0.png   Ambassador Corps

A transformative, hands-on experience that sets the stage for a purposeful and international career.

The Ambassador Corps program offers an entry point for a meaningful career by way of internship opportunities with non-profit, micro-finance, governmental or private organizations. The Ambassador Corps is an intensive three-month summer internship that is specifically designed to provide Middlebury College, Institute and Schools Abroad students a unique frontlines work experience premier social entrepreneurship organizations in developing countries.

Ambassador Corps internship assignments focus on microfinance, sustainable agriculture, human trafficking, social justice, environmental conservation, eco-tourism, youth entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, disaster relief/development, public health and disease eradication, sustainable education, community-based engineering projects, and business planning for social enterprises and NGOs.

Each summer, the “Ambassadors” complete an intensive one-week cross cultural training program before departing on 1-3 month internships in various regions around the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

Come find out more information TODAY:  Monday, January 26th at CCI Adirondack House Library at 1:00 p.m.

DEADLINE TODAY!! Davis Projects for Peace Applications are due!!

 

Projects for Peace is an initiative for all students at the Davis United World College Scholars Program partner schools to design grassroots projects for the summer of 2015 – anywhere in the world – which promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties.  We encourage applicants to use their creativity to design projects and employ innovative techniques for engaging project participants in ways that focus on conflict resolution, reconciliation, building understanding and breaking down barriers which cause conflict, and finding solutions for resolving conflict and maintaining peace.  Through a competition on over 90 campuses, projects will be selected for funding at $10,000 each.

Applications are due Monday, January 12, 2015 to hneuwirth@middlebury.edu. If you have any questions please feel free to email Heather Neuwirth ’08, Associate Director of Programs on Creativity and Innovation and the Center for Social Entrepreneurship at hneuwirth@middlebury.edu

Want to be an inspiration to the next generation of business ? Apply now to become a B Corps Fellow!

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Certified B Corporations are leading a global movement to redefine success in business and driving to translate ideas into action!

By voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability, and performance, Certified B Corps are distinguishing themselves in a cluttered marketplace by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business.

Government and the nonprofit sector are necessary but insufficient to address society’s greatest challenges. Business, the most powerful man-made force on the planet, must create value for society, not just shareholders. Systemic challenges require systemic solutions and the B Corp movement offers a concrete, market-based and scalable solution.

APPLY TODAY to become a B Corps Fellow!!!! B Corps Fellows will be trained to work with thousands of companies to measure and manage the impact of their businesses on their workers, communities, and the environment with as much rigor as their profits.

The early action deadline is December 31st and the final application deadline is January 31st, 2015!

Follow the link below for more information: http://www.bcorporation.net/fellows

Check out these 18 tools for Changemakers! Visit Startingbloc to learn more!

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StartingBloc is built on the belief that a small, committed group of people can change the world.

They bring together entrepreneurs, activists, educators, and  innovators working to create change.  They connect them to their tribe and give them access to the resources, co-conspirators, projects and support they need to create the impact they want.

Through a transformative 5-day experience, Fellows learn from proven change-makers, are pushed to take bigger risks, and find new life-long allies.  As a result of StartingBloc, hundreds of Fellows have found meaningful work, launched new companies, and joined forces to tackle our world’s challenges.

Check out the TOOLBOX following this link below!

http://startingbloc.org/toolbox/

The Changemaker’s TOOLBOX will help you rapidly execute on your ideas and advance your mission!!

HAPPENING TODAY: Information Session on 2015 Davis Projects for Peace!!

http://blogs.rochester.edu/SBAI/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/100-projects.jpg There will be an information session on the Davis Projects for Peace today at 4:30 p.m in Davis Library Room 201.

The Davis Projects for Peace program is an invitation to undergraduates at the American colleges and universities in the Davis United World College Scholars Program to design grassroots projects that they will implement during the summer of 2015.

Undergraduate students at more than 90 college campuses across the United States, including those of you who will graduate this academic year, are eligible to design and submit proposals that address the goal of improving the prospects for peace in the 21st century.  The top submissions from the participating campuses, including at least one from Middlebury, will receive funding of $10,000 with which to initiate projects anywhere in the world during the summer of 2015.

The Second Annual Social Entrepreneurs Challenge sponsored by the Skoll Foundation is now LIVE! Enter now for the opportunity to fund your ideas!

  This week, the second annual Social Entrepreneurs Challenge was launched! Hosted on CrowdRise, the Challenge provides some of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs with an innovative platform to raise funds.

Organizations participating in the Challenge are recipients of our “Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship” and represent some of the most successful entrepreneurial organizations in the world.

Individuals can support and fundraise for participating social entrepreneurs and their gifts will be leveraged by the Skoll Foundation.  This year, more than $3 million in prize and match funding will be available to participants.

The Social Entrepreneurs Challenge will run through December 5, 2014. You can donate on the Social Entrepreneurs Challenge page.

THIS WEEK: Financing the Working Landscape CONFERENCE sponsored by ACORN and the Addison County Economic Development Corporation!

http://acornvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/acornvt-headerlogo_01.png   ACORN and the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) are pleased to announce a local money conference for networking food, agriculture, and forestry businesses. Entrepreneurs, regional capital providers and business service providers come together at this annual event in Middlebury. On Nov 6 from 8:30-2:30 Financing the Working Landscape aims to:

  • Introduce entrepreneurs to local capital providers and business service providers
  • Educate business owners and entrepreneurs about how to prepare for capitalization
  • Catalyze opportunities for all participants through networking and “elevator” pitches

The conference will include keynote speaker Mike Pieciak, Deputy Commissioner of the VT Department of Financial Regulation, an Entrepreneurs Showcase, a Challenge Presentation (expert feedback on a specific business challenge presented by a business owner), numerous business experts, and networking opportunities throughout the day. This is our 4th year and each year presents new insights for small business development.

To learn more and register please visit: http://acornvt.org/

 

 

Want to learn how to change the world in 5 days? Apply to be a Fellow at the StartingBloc Institute!

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StartingBloc is built on the belief that a small, committed group of people can change the world.

StartingBloc brings together entrepreneurs, activists, educators, and  innovators working to create change.  They connect them to their tribe and give them access to the resources, co-conspirators, projects and support they need to create the impact they want.

Through a transformative 5-day experience, Fellows learn from proven change-makers, are pushed to take bigger risks, and find new life-long allies.  As a result of StartingBloc, hundreds of Fellows have found meaningful work, launched new companies, and joined forces to tackle our world’s challenges.

StartingBloc will be hosting 5 institutions in 2015 (see below) and they are accepting early applications! To learn more visit: http://startingbloc.org/la15/

Locations:

  • LA ’15: February 19 – 23
  • NOLA ’15: May 28 – June 1
  • NY ’15: August 6 – 10
  • DC ’15: October 22 – 26

Are you a Change Agent? Deadline Extended for Center for Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship Application!!

http://sites.middlebury.edu/middmag/files/2012/01/MID_063_11_CSE_Logo_RGB.jpgIf you are considering applying, or know a potential candidate for the CSE Fellowship Application, please note that the deadline is now EXTENDED to 5:00 p.m. on Monday October 27. It is important to know that the CSE Fellowship is not only for students who have specific project ideas, but also for any Middlebury student (graduating 16.5, 17 and 17.5) who has a genuine passion for positive social change and the aspiration to lead with humility and empathy. The CSE believes that investing in and supporting promising Middlebury students with the ability to think creatively and execute their ideas will result in a lifetime of leadership.

For those who are not aware, the CSE Fellowship is among a small handful of opportunities in the country that provide college students with unique access and exposure to mentorship, funding, and a vast network of individuals and organizations who are leading positive social change around the world. Becoming a CSE Fellow opens the door to a lifetime of social change.

For more information about the fellowship program please follow this link.
Apply Now

Upcoming Event!! Friday Speaker Series with Alexandra Cart ’08 from Madeira Global!

 

Alexandra Peterson Cart, a Middlebury alumna, is the co-founder and director of strategic development of Madeira Global, a New York-based investment and advisory firm servicing qualified investors and institutions in the area of Impact Investing. She is an experienced philanthropic consultant who has designed, implemented and managed highly-leveraged philanthropic strategies for organizations including the Tribeca Film Festival Doha and Time 100 as well as for celebrity clientele.

When: Friday, October 3rd

Where: Axinn, Room 219

Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.

ALSO Middlebury’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship  will be hosting a lunch with Alexandra open to eight members of the Middlebury community at 11:15 in 118 South Main. Be sure to RSVP by emailing middleburycse@middlebury.edu!

 

 

Wild Gift Fellowship & Grant Opportunity: Using Wilderness as an Accelerator for Social Entrepreneurs

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Middlebury students, this program is tailor-made for you, in fact, recent Midd graduate, Marty Schnure ’11 recently received a Wild Gift grant for her start-up Maps for Good!

“Wild Gift selects budding social entrepreneurs, take them on a deep wilderness trip, and give them startup capital ($10,000) and expert mentorship to accelerate their idea. THEY DO THE REST.

Every year Wild Gift recruits outstanding new leaders to its Network of better-world entrepreneurs through an intensive application process. I am pleased to inform you that we have begun to accept applications for the 2015 class. Through a rigorous application process, we recruit dynamic young individuals (ages 21-35) with innovative, entrepreneurial ideas. Successful applicants exhibit a deep passion and commitment to wilderness and sustainability and the capacity to bring better world projects to fruition. Selected applicants receive a deep wilderness trek in Idaho, up to $10,000 in grant funding, and professional mentorship to refine a leadership project that will advance the stewardship of wild nature and sustainable human development. Wild Gift recipients become a part of the Wild Gift Network — a community of action-oriented individuals that will support them on their life-long journey to develop and promote more sustainable communities.”

DEADLINE: July 15, 2014 at 5 PM MT

APPLY NOW: http://wildgift.org/apply

Check Out Echoing Green’s Social Impact Job Board

echoing green

The Echoing Green Social Impact Job Board for April 2014 has posted a wide variety of jobs across the world, many of which are entry-level!  For instance, you could assist in photography and graphics design as a Marketing Coordinator with Mercado Global in Panajachel, Guatemala, traveling frequently and working with local staff and artisans!  This is just one example of the worldwide job opportunities advertised on Echoing Green’s job board. Check out this link to browse more jobs!

A link to the the Echoing Green blog is also located in the side column to the right of this post, under the first heading, “CSR & Social Entrepreneurship Resources.”  Click on it and scroll down to find the link to the current month’s Social Impact Job Board.  Check anytime for updates and new job postings!

StartingBloc is offering Scholarships for Boston ’14 Institute Fellows – Deadline May 8th!!

StartingBloc offers transformative 5-day fellowship retreats.  The organization strives to “bring together entrepreneurs, activists, educators, and  innovators struggling to create change” by providing “access to the resources, co-conspirators, projects and support they need to create the impact they want.”

This year, StartingBloc is offering need-based scholarships to the Boston ’14 Institute fellowship recipients.

Visit StartingBloc’s home page to find out more about the organization, apply to be a fellow in the Boston ’14 Institute, and finally, apply for a scholarship to fund your unique experience!  All deadlines are May 8th, so apply now!

 

Summer Internships at Venture for America – Apply Now!

Venture for America is an organization that helps talented enterprising college graduates get hands-on experience in business.  This summer, they are looking for…

  • a Communications Intern to help in designing a communications strategy for the 2014 VFA Training Camp
  • a Development Intern to support the Development team in managing fundraising

Both positions are from roughly June 1 to August 15, with flexible start and end dates.

Visit the Venture for America home page to learn more about the organization, or their Career Opportunities page for specifics on these two internships and instructions on how to apply!

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Center for Social Entreprenuership Summer Grant Program – Deadline Mar. 31st!

The deadline for Center for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE) Summer Grants for Summer 2014 is 5:00 pm on Monday, March 31, 2014.

To be considered, a student (or group of students) must prepare a written description of the project (who, what, where, how) including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget for the $3,000 grant (budget not to exceed one page). Proposals should include pre-approval of all involved community partner parties and organizations involved in the project. Please include your name, ID number, nationality, and whether you have applied for other funding opportunities. Students must include their own fundraising plan to complement Middlebury’s grant. The two-page proposal and one-page budget should be submitted electronically to the CSE before or at 5:00 pm on Monday March 31, 2014. Email applications to: hneuwirth@middlebury.edu

For more information and FAQs, visit the CSE Summer Grant page.

My Google Journey – Kristen Morrissey Thiede 3/14 @ 12:30 Axinn 229

We thought you might be interested in the Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s speaker this Friday at 12:30 pm in Axinn 229. Kristen Morrissey Thiede has been a Google employee for over twelve years, and is currently the Business Development Lead for Google Fiber. It would be great to have you there to engage Kristen in some discussion. Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested!

Read more

Go to Africa and Latin America with ThinkImpact!!

Accredited WINTER & SPRING & SUMMER Programs!

In order to compete in an increasingly global workplace, you need real-world international experiences. ThinkImpact sends students around the world to explore social entrepreneurship in an entirely new way. ThinkImpact offers accredited programs across the globe that last from 1 to 8 weeks depending on the institute in Ghana, Rwanda, Panama, and South Africa.

Explore Current Institutes

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Clinton Global Initiative University Conference – Travel Assistance

Middlebury has established a relationship with Clinton Global Initiative to become a CGIU Campus. President Clinton will host the seventh meeting of CGI U from March 21-23, 2014 at Arizona State University.  If you are interested in applying to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference with students from all over the world, the deadline for early decision and travel assistance is November 22, 2014. Apply here to attend CGI U 2014 at Arizona State University.  CGI U is President Clinton’s initiative to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. Students that submit a CGIU “commitment to action” and are selected by the CGIU process are eligible to use this application as a grant application to the 2014 MCSE Summer Grants challenge. MCSE Summer Grants Projects receive $3000 for the summer.  Contact Heather Neuwirth (hneuwirth[at]middlebury.edu), Middlebury Center for Social Entrepreneurship, if you have any questions or are interested in going.

Social Impact Jobs November 2013 | Echoing Green

echoinggreen

Echoing Green provides a springboard for realizing your contribution to solving the world’s biggest problems. Since their founding in 1987 by the leadership and investment of the leading global growth equity firm, General Atlantic, Echoing Green has provided nearly 600 promising social entrepreneurs working in over forty countries with $33 million in start-up funding, customized support services, and access to Echoing Green’s global network of champions.

Visit their website to learn more about job opportunities and fellowships that have an impact!