$100,000,000 For The Best Idea
On the innovation super highway, nonprofits tend to drive in the far, right lane, with reliable strategies to engage donors, fulfill their missions, and not upset the fragile eco-system inherent in a donor/funder-based model. This entrenched mentality is 180 degrees from where many nonprofits are conceived; with a vision and a passion to change the world. Innovation can, and is, being achieved by organizations willing to break that paradigm. A recent partnership developed a bold, simple program to help kids in Syria recover from trauma – thanks to a serious investor and two very evolved non-profits.
In 2016 the McArthur Foundation launched 100&Change, described as a competition for a $100 million dollar grant to fund a single proposal that promised real and measurable progress in solving a critical problem of our time. The response was predictably overwhelming. Over 1,900 proposals were submitted. The evaluation process was refreshingly transparent from identifying the judges, to laying out their methodology and publishing the top 200 submittals.
Big Bird Helps Kids in Syria
In December of 2017 the winner was announced. The Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee had teamed up to offer programming and support to address the educational gaps and toxic stress of the 9.4 million refugee children uprooted during the Syrian refugee crisis. https://www.macfound.org/programs/100change/2017/
TV, Books, Home Visits
It was an inspired partnership with three tent poles, grounded in universally-adored children’s content. (1) Original, local, episodes of Sesame Street, televised and streamed in Arabic, English and two Kurdish dialects, for all video platforms. (2) An in-home, care-giving visitation program enriched with Sesame Street digital, game, toys, books and parenting resources. (3) NGO-based learning centers with companion print and educational teacher’s guides for children in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. Elmo, Big Bird and friends offering lessons in language, reading and math, in addition to a holistic curriculum in socio-emotional skills to help kids overcome trauma and build resilience.
Lego matches the $100,000,000
In December of 2018, the Lego Foundation matched the original $100 million grant to expand the program to Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh.
2019 100&Change begins in April
Next month, the second 100&Change competition begins. The McArthur Foundation should be lauded for its vision, execution and commitment.
Imagine, a second chance to change the world. Nonprofits start your engines.