bigBang! 2011 Selects Five “Head of the Class” Innovators for TEACH Track
DALLAS – April 21, 2011 – Five innovative organizations that have taken bold and different approaches to improving learning and the lives of students in North Texas have been chosen to represent TEACH on the bigBang! Pitch Stage during the June 16th bigBang! 2011 forum. The one-day event brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs for maximum social impact.
These TEACH innovators are at different stages of development and support a variety of initiatives, but all are working to create better learning environments and more opportunities for students. Appearing on the bigBang! Fast Pitch stage will help these TEACH innovators share their ideas with impact investors and donors from North Texas who are keen on funding new and different ways of doing good.
The TEACH innovators are:
The Compelling Why – A nonprofit that constructs an alternative vision of success for traditionally underserved “students of promise” while measurably increasing their participation in existing school- and community-based academic enrichment, college promotion and life skill programs. Through its signature Seminars, Opportunity Fairs and Debriefing Sessions, prominent business and community leaders enhance students’ perceived value and importance of education, personal responsibility and the self motivation required to maximize their potential. Through its inaugural year in 2010, over 800 students were served on 14 campuses throughout North Texas.
Healthy Zone Schools – A joint effort by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and The Cooper Institute to fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity by creating school environments that promote healthy behaviors. Schools that are part of the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program receive guidance and leadership from experts at The Cooper Institute along with incentives and funding valued over $7000.
Reasoning Mind – A group committed to providing first-rate math education for every child. This low-cost, nationally scalable solution to the three most pressing problems in K-12 math education: human capital, curriculum quality and student engagement. In a Reasoning Mind classroom, students do their work online, studying a rigorous curricula and teachers work one-on-one-with students. Reasoning Mind provides teachers with intensive training help them teach math effectively. These factors work together to dramatically improve the math achievement of children from disadvantaged communities.
Teaching Trust – A new nonprofit that is partnering with districts, charters, universities and other organizations to innovate human capital practices and policy in K-12 education. These partnerships will develop transformational leaders for high need schools and help cultivate the voice and entrepreneurial mindset for effective teachers and leaders who strive to improve public education. The first partnership is with SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dallas ISD and Uplift Education for the development of an Urban School Leadership Master’s program which will start this June.
Zero to Five Funders Collaborative – This group’s mission is to equip, encourage and support Dallas parents and caregivers to prepare children for success in school. Established to address vocabulary development among children ages 0 to 5, the Collaborative has identified Dallas’ Bachman Lake neighborhood as the pilot for a five-year program. Agencies receiving grants from the Collaborative work alongside parents and children to educate families on the importance of early language development and provide them with tools and strategies for success.
Along with TEACH, the bigBang! 2011 Pitch Stage will feature innovators from three additional Cause Tracks. EMPOWER (issues affecting women and girls), NOURISH (ventures with an emphasis on local food) and SERVE (featuring interesting and impactful North Texas Corporate Social Responsibility programs).
All of the innovators will receive expert coaching and will employ tactics from the world of venture capital fundraising to make sure their “ask” is on target and well-delivered so that it hits home with an audience that is ready to help them put their plans into motion.
Details: bigBang! 2011
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9am – 5pm
Where: Union Station, 400 S. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75202
Who: Innovative nonprofit groups and socially conscious businesses, investors, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs
Why: 4 Causes + 20 Social Innovators x 1 Pitch Stage = Maximum Social Impact. bigBang! 2011 will offer a marketplace for individuals, foundations and businesses to window-shop and bump into the most innovative nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in our region creating an optimum environment for doing good in North Texas.
How to Attend: Visit www.bigbangtx.org to register and get more information.
About bigBANG!
bigBANG! is a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners that brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs. bigBang! strives to create positive impact in the Dallas-area and beyond through networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
About DSVP
DSVP is a partnership of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations who are committed to strengthening our community through the thoughtful application of collective dollars and business expertise. DSVP is comprised of 123 partners and works with a current portfolio of nine nonprofit investments to create positive social impact. For additional information, please call (214) 855-5520 or visit www.dsvp.org.
