Social Innovation

Social innovation means finding new solutions to social problems that are more effective, efficient, sustainable or just than current solutions. This creative, inclusive approach to improving our community is at the heart of the work we do at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
Our social innovation programs identify, develop and advance nonprofit and for-profit social ventures that deliver never-before-seen solutions to North Texas’ most urgent challenges in education, income and health.

In the News

Social Innovation Accelerator in collaboration with Accenture

Since its launch in 2013, the Social Innovation Accelerator has encouraged the creation of bold new solutions to challenges in our community, providing entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship and community connections to encourage the growth and stability of their innovative ventures.
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$5.8

million

in funding, training, and mentoring provided to participants

54

North Texas social entrepreneurs

have completed the program

1,500

hours of mentoring
and coaching were provided to the 2020-2021 Fellows

  • $5.8

    million
    in funding, training, and mentoring provided to participants

  • 54

    North Texas social entrepreneurs
    have completed the program

  • 1,500

    hours of mentoring
    and coaching were provided to the 2020-2021 Fellows

Social Innovation Incubator

Our development program for social ventures led and staffed by women and people of color

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Model Replication

When appropriate, we replicate proven social innovation ventures throughout North Texas to amplify their impact.

Impact Investing

Investing in socially minded, for-profit ventures can be a powerful way to drive social impact. Our Impact Investing Fund allows United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to serve as both a partner and a stakeholder in bringing new solutions to critical social issues. The fund allows us to work with organizations of any size, at every stage of development, and re-invest any return on our investments into new impact initiatives.
close up of the CHERRY logo

Cherry Partnership

Our partnership with Cherry, a pioneering company that supports economic mobility for low-income women and their families, enables United Way to support Cherry’s operations while also serving as impact advisor.
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Health Innovation Technology Challenge

Through our first social innovation challenge, we identified, elevated and activated creative, technology-forward solutions for increasing access to preventive pediatric care and improving social/emotional wellness and mental health.
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10

finalists
with game-changing health solutions

1

million
in prize funding to activate these technology tools across North Texas
Every major hospital system
in North Texas was involved, driving innovation through collaboration

  • 10

    finalists
    with game-changing health solutions

  • 1

    million
    in prize funding to activate these technology tools across North Texas

  • Every

    major hospital system
    in North Texas was involved, driving innovation through collaboration

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