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James OMalley 4 min read

Who Will Be the Next $100,000 Purpose Prize Winner?

Civic Ventures is seeking nominations for the 2008 Purpose Prize. Each year they give prizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to 15 people over the age of 60 creating new and innovative ways to tackle tough social problems, from reforming education to improving healthcare, curbing global warming to ending poverty.

 

They’re looking for adults over 60:

 

  • Initiating new ways to address social challenges

  • Working in a leadership role within government, non-profit, or for-profit institution

  • Whose social change work began after the age of 50

  • And, who are committed to pursuing social entrepreneurship in the future

Sound like you or someone you know? Start your nomination today for the 2008 Purpose Prize. The Deadline is March 1.

The prize is the only program in the country focused on promoting and encouraging the work of social innovators over 60, like:

Wilma Melville, a 74-year-old, retired physical education teacher, who won $100,000 for creating The National Disaster Search Foundation. Melville got her start after originally signing up— along with her Labrador Murphy— to undergo volunteer FEMA-certification. She and Murphy were called to immediate service to search the rubble of the Oklahoma City bombing. There in Oklahoma, she realized the nation needed a better system for training search dogs and matching them to firefighters—not just volunteers. Her idea is now a reality. More than 150 canines trained by her organization have served after 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and countless other disasters.

Sally Bingham, a homemaker turned Episcopal priest, who won $10,000 in 2007 for her innovative strategy to combating global warming by reducing the carbon footprint of hundreds of churches, synagogues, Buddhist temples and mosques. Through the Regeneration Project, she’s pushing the religious community to buy wind and solar power electricity, reduce energy consumption in their buildings, and preach about our moral obligation to protect the earth.

Visit their website to learn more about past winners, stay connected to the prize, and nominate someone you know who is changing the world. Or email Associate Director Alexandra Cespedes Kent at info@purposeprize.org

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