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Ford Foundation Encourages Innovation in Government Practices
23 April 2008—Harvard's Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government has announced the 50 finalists in the 2008 Innovations in American Government competition. Selected from 1,000 applicants, the government programs demonstrate unique and effective solutions to some of the nation's most pressing social problems. Administered by a state, city, county, local, or tribal government, each program is competing for a $100,000 award. The programs focus on a broad range of policy issues addressing social justice, access to opportunities, asset building, leadership development, and education and scholarship.
The Innovations Awards
The 2008 Innovations in American Government winners will be announced in September 2008. Selected finalists include:
Government Management Accountability and Performance (Washington)
Emphasizes the importance of measuring government performance and impact in the state of Washington. Administered by Washington's Office of the Governor to ensure every state agency determines what is working, what is not working, and how to impact future performance.
Learn and Earn (North Carolina)
Initiated by North Carolina’s Office of the Governor to equip every student in the state with the tools to build a better future through access to secondary and higher education, debt-free. Learn and Earn schools allow students to obtain high school diplomas and associate degrees, enabling them to jump-start their college education or gain valuable career skills.
Foreclosure Intervention Initiative (Massachusetts)
City of Boston program helps homeowners in danger of foreclosure by offering free services and training to understand how foreclosures work, avoid fraud and build a better credit education.
Government Innovation in the United States
In 1985, the Ford Foundation developed an awards program that encouraged creativity and innovation in tackling pressing social and economic issues through state or local governments. In collaboration with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Innovations in State and Local Government awards program was established.
Between 1985 and 1988, approximately 1,000 candidates applied annually for 10 awards of up to $100,000. In 1990, the Ford Foundation initiated a second round of awards and 1,900 programs applied. In both instances, the successful programs operated under the authority of state, local, or tribal governments; found new ways to address public needs or to improve existing programs; and provided evidence for their value and effectiveness.
Over the years, the awards program has received more than 25,000 applications, recognized more than 400 innovative programs, and awarded a total of nearly $20 million in grants. To find examples of early award recipients, visit the Innovations Awards Programs’ database.
In 1998, the Ford Foundation established a separate program, Honoring Nations, to recognize and share innovative programs in the governance of 560 Indian nations in the United States. Also housed at Harvard's Kennedy School, Honoring Nations recognized, documented and shared the strategies of 92 exemplary tribal government programs, addressing a range of issues from education and cultural strengthening to economic development and infrastructure expansion.
Good Governance Around the World
Eight other public innovation awards programs have been established around the world to encourage more effective governance in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
For more information about the eight international partner programs, visit:
A History of Support
Since its inception, the Ford Foundation has been committed to strengthening democratic institutions and citizen participation in the democratic process, and promoting a just and equitable society. We have long supported and encouraged good governance and innovation at the local, state and national levels. Our work in the Governance and Civil Society field reflects a commitment to evaluating state and local government performance; encouraging innovation; identifying promising new governance practices; and promoting democratic practices worldwide.
Photo:
Courtesy of Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has been a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide, guided by its goals of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia.