For more than 23 years, SVN members have been transforming the way the world does business. From the organic revolution to fair trade to socially responsible investing and so much more, our members pioneered a movement that has proven that business can truly be used as a tool for making the world a better place.

As SVN looks to the future, we're committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation of innovative, socially responsible business and nonprofit entrepreneurs. That's why we created the Innovation Awards. The goal of the Awards program is to recognize the leaders of emerging enterprises, bring them into the SVN community, and give them access to a network of 500 successful socially responsible business and nonprofit leaders, investors, and other resources and connections that can help them achieve success with their own enterprise.

Download the official SVN Innovation Awards Application here. Apply by April 15, 2010.

2010 SVN Innovation Award recipients will each receive:

• 2011 SVN Membership: A one-year complimentary 2011 SVN basic membership, giving each Innovation Award winner access to an inspiring community of socially responsible business leaders who can provide advice, introductions and resources.


• 2010 Fall Conference: Complimentary registration, travel and hotel, and special recognition during a Friday evening Awards Ceremony at SVN's 2009 Fall Conference to be held again at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, New Jersey, October 21-24.


• Promotion: Prominent recognition on SVN's website for a full year, and recognition in our 2009 Stakeholder Report.


• Press: Winners will be featured in a 6-page spread in the November/December 2010 issue of Utne Reader, as well as promoted on Care2.com and GreenBiz.com.

Application Process and Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Awards, applicants must currently hold positions as C-level executives (CEOs, executive directors, founders, etc.). The Awards are open only to entrants whose organization (company or nonprofit) has been fully operational for more than 6 months but less than 5 years as of April 15, 2010. "Fully Operational" within the SVN Innovation Awards context means that the organization has already started offering its services, products or programs to its intended customers. Applications submitted on behalf of an organization that is still in the business plan phase, or that is still in the process of launching but has not actually launched, will not be considered.

Applicants must be based in the US or Canada, not including Quebec.

The application process includes providing thoughtful answers to several essay questions and presenting relevant metrics describing your enterprise or organization. Applicants selected as finalists will also need to participate in phone interviews and submit additional materials.

Relevant Deadlines and Timeline:

Applications for the 2010 Awards will be accepted from January 15 - April 15, 2010. The application deadline is April 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm PST.

By June 11, 2010: A group of up to 15 finalists will be selected by the Innovation Awards judging panel and will be notified and asked to submit further documentation, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to:

"¢Business plan
"¢Past, current, and projected financial statements
"¢Letters of recommendation (from partners, investors, supplies, customers, stakeholders, etc.)

By late July 2010: The 2010 Innovation Award winners will be notified and invited to attend the 2010 SVN Fall Conference to be held at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, New Jersey, October 21-24. Winners will also begin working with SVN staff to create the feature article for Utne Reader (due to Utne Reader by August 15, 2010)

The Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, October 22, 2010. Winners are encouraged to attend the entire conference in order to make the most of their experience as a 2010 Innovation Award winner.

If you have questions about the SVN Innovation Awards, please email Awards@svn.org or call 415-561-6501 and ask for Lars Olson or Tina Sciabica.

Please note that, due to the number of applications we anticipate receiving this year, we will not be able to give feedback to those who are not selected as 2010 Innovation Award winners. Before you apply, please read the Official Rules for the SVN Innovation Awards.

Social Venture Network

Social Venture Network

Since 1987, Social Venture Network (www.svn.org) has been at the forefront of the socially responsible business movement, connecting, leveraging, and promoting a world-class community of more than 500 innovative entrepreneurs working to change the way the world does business and the way that business affects the world. SVN connects the leaders of socially responsible enterprises to share lessons and resources, form strategic alliances, and explore new solutions that build a more just and sustainable economy.

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