Selection Criteria
The United Way Social Innovation Accelerator uses several criteria to evaluate applications and assess the strength of the applicants, their organizations and ideas. Here are the main components of assessment:
Applicant
Resilience & Leadership
Applicant has demonstrated leadership potential and ability to overcome obstacles.
Competence
Applicant has the capacity and competency to be successful.
Coachability
Applicant actively welcomes feedback and responds positively to coaching.
Ability to Attract Resources
Applicant is a “resource magnet,” capable of attracting money, people and other resources to the cause.
Passion & Commitment
Applicant exhibits personal integrity and a strong passion and commitment for the impact area in which they plan to work.
Organization & Idea
Innovation
Organization is innovative and has a novel solution that is more effective, efficient, sustainable or just than current solutions.
Potential for Big, Bold Impact
Organization has clear potential to make a measurable impact for the beneficiary population, affect systemic change (for example, policy change, societal change or influence in the field) or grow and replicate its impact.
Community Gaps
Organization has clear potential to deliver measurable outcomes addressing one of our key community gaps.
Sound Business Model
Organization has a clear and compelling mission and objectives. Additionally, organization has well-thought out approaches to program development and delivery, measuring success, raising money, operational and financial plan, and other key factors critical to sustaining success.
Social Innovation Accelerator Alignment
Organization’s participation would significantly accelerate their growth and they would benefit from the financial capital, human capital, and social capital.