Force-for-Change Grants 2011

by Steve Andersen, VP of Innovation

In 2011, Salesforce.org invited a number of stellar organizations to propose technology projects for possible funding in our Force for Change technology grant program. We started with over 60 proposals, eventually narrowing to 10 finalists. At this point we opened the process up and convened the 10 finalists and a dozen outside reviewers. Each finalist presented their proposal to the Foundation, the external reviewers and the other finalists. We got lots of good feedback from this open presentation process–it’s something we will build on in coming years.

It was exceedingly difficult to select just a few projects from the many, amazing ones submitted. But that’s an occupational hazard when you’re a grantmaker. So without furthur ado, here are the organizations who are receiving 2011 Force for Change grants:

• Bay Area Cross Sector Partners in Preparedness
• Family Services Agency of San Francisco
• Grameen Foundation
• Groundwire
• Seedco

We are very excited about these organizations and the projects we are funding!

Bay Area Cross-Sector Partners in Preparedness (BACSPP)

BACSPP will develop a Salesforce.com application to facilitate cross-sector collaboration and coordination in disasters, enabling nonprofit emergency managers to share information and coordinate response. Salesforce.com and Salesforce.org as citizens of the bay area, are very excited to partner with the BACSPP network to push disaster preparedness to a new level.

Family Service Agency of San Francisco (FSA)

FSA will support it’s Cloud-Based Integrated Reporting and Charting Environment (CIRCE) Development Initiative. CIRCE is used by FSA to provide mental health services to San Francisco’s most mentally ill. FSA will develop CIRCE to make it more usable by other social service organizations and list it on the AppExchange.

Grameen Foundation

Grameen will develop a new Mobile Enabled Survey Application, built on the Salesforce.com platform, to serve as a micro-enterprise business opportunity for the poor and help bridge the information gap between under-served communities and the organizations that seek to serve their needs.

Groundwire

Groundwire will expand it’s Engagement Platform 2.0 project–improve existing features within the platform, add new features, and permit more groups to benefit from it. The Engagement Platform weaves websites, email communications, CRM, and an “Engagement Framework” strategy into a comprehensive system that can dramatically increase an organization’s ability to organize, mobilize, track, and manage constituent engagement.

Seedco

Seedco will build a workforce development application that will enable nonprofit organizations to more effectively manage programs that place jobseekers into employment. The application will provide advanced case management features and workflows that will further help jobseekers overcome numerous barriers to employment.

We are thrilled about contributing to these great organizations and their impactful projects. Congratulations again to our 2011 grantees!