Social Innovation Forum Becomes Independent Organization

The Social Innovation Forum (SIF) combines capacity building and network building to create positive social change in greater Boston. It connects supporters (funders, investors, and volunteers) and practitioners (nonprofit and social business leaders) to build productive relationships focused on growing social impact.

Initiated by Root Cause CEO Andrew Wolk, SIF was launched and incubated by Root Cause from 2003 until 2015. In these 12 years, SIF grew from a volunteer-led initiative with a budget of $20,000 to a well-recognized and respected program with eight dedicated staff, an annual budget of over $1 million, and a community of more than 5,000 funders, volunteers, and social purpose organizations. As of June 2015, SIF had directed close to $20 million in cash and in-kind support to over 85 Social Innovators and Impact Entrepreneurs in greater Boston.

In 2015, through a strategic business planning process, Root Cause honed its focus: Root Cause is now fully dedicated to partnering with foundations, nonprofits, and governments around data, evidence, and high performance to improve outcomes, grantmaking, and, most importantly, people’s lives.

As a result, SIF has grown into an independent entity. This spinoff provides SIF with the greatest flexibility to continue to grow and sustain its work in greater Boston, while continuing to partner with Root Cause as it pursues its broader vision.

For full information on the Social Innovation Forum and its latest work and opportunities, please visit SIF’s website at www.socialinnovationforum.org.