| Thank you for being a part of our community in 2013. It has been an exceptional year for us. We supported 71 companies from 20 countries. Our annual gathering (held at the offices of Arent Fox and World Resources Institute) featured conversations with Seth Goldman and Jigar Shah, and live presentations from top social entrepreneurs from seven countries: First Access, Colectivo 1050, MoWoza, Access Afya, Morale Fashion Group, WeCyclers, Triea Systems, and Clovest. These companies divided up more than $100,000 worth of cash and professional service prizes. Our Green Grab Events provided an on-the-spot investment in Greenbean Recycle. And our investor pool supported Maternova. Our Partnerships with LOHAS, The Stiefel Family Foundation, and the Foundation for a Sustainable Future allowed us to identify, recognize, and support even more amazing entrepreneurs: LOHAS Prize Winners: Yellow Leaf Hammocks, Sole Power, and Fresh Connection The Stiefel Family Foundation Energy Independence Prize Winners: Juabar, Sun Giant Energy, and Triea Systems The Foundation for a Sustainable Future‘s Richard Heinberg Prize Winners: Lumeter Networks, Eccolizer, and Triea Systems. These companies joined 250 up-and-running WJF companies that are transforming how their communities, industries, and the world does business. By integrating their values into how they turn a profit, these firms are showing the world that providing the best value for your customers, employees, and community can make a difference both financially and socially. Our companies have hired thousands of employees and engaged tens of millions of dollars in investment capital, all to build a more resilient world. It is our pleasure and honor to have helped these firms on their path. But we can’t do this alone. The WJF is a 501c(3) non-profit, and we rely on our community for donations and investments. Sincerely, Ian T. Fisk Executive Director, The William James Foundation |
Here is a list of upcoming events where you will find WJF staff:
January 10-11, Executive Director Ian Fisk will be teaching at the Frontier Market Scouts program at the Monterrey Institute for International Studies.
January 20-24 We will be in Boston and New York putting together a video with our friends at WorldWays Social Marketing to help tell our story.
January 27-31 Mr. Fisk will be in Nicaragua with Agora Partnerships, supporting the entrepreneurs who are going through both of our programs.
WJF Community Notes December, 2013
First Access was nominated for most influential idea in finance in poor communities
The founder of WeCyclers was named 26 out 40 most powerful African women.
Yellow Leaf Hammocks was named one of the top 20 social good brands in USA.
On Our Reading List
“How the Hub Found Its Center” Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter, 2014