The 2006 Social Capitalist Awards

We are no longer accepting nominations for the 2006 Social Capitalist Awards. If you self-nominated before our deadline of June 1, you should have received an application, which is due June 24. Questions? Email our team.

"The stories of these organizations will remind you that many of the forces shaping society's future are within our control. Social capitalists show that pushing humanity's path upward is simply a matter of will and resources. It is also a function of our collective willingness to believe in possibility, to meet each day's news with the belief that the world can be a better place." -- From Fast Company's 2005 Social Capitalists Awards issue

Are you a social capitalist? If you've arrived at this page, there's a good chance you are -- and we'd like to learn more about you.

The Social Capitalist Awards are a joint venture of Fast Company and Monitor Group, the global consulting firm, established in 2003 to recognize outstanding performance by entrepreneurs in the not-for-profit sector. Award winners will be announced in Fast Company's January 2006 issue.

This year, we are thrilled to collaborate with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Social Capitalist Award winners will be considered for selection into the Schwab Foundation's network of Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs. Those selected will be invited to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January, 2006.

Any non-profit organization based in the United States that is at least two years old may apply via the form below. (Note: Foundations and funders whose roles do not go beyond cash distribution to other organizations generally do not meet our criteria. While we do not bar these types of organizations from applying, we strongly discourage them. However, field builders, such as venture philanthropy funds, that provide support or consulting to other social entrepreneurs, do qualify.)

On June 1, we will send participating organizations, via email, a full application -- to be completed and returned by June 24. We'll provide instructions with the application -- but by way of a preview, we'll be asking for:

• Form 990s for 2003 and 2004 (or your two most recent fiscal years)
• Background information on your organization, including a one-page personal statement of mission, goals, and strategy
• Financial and organizational details, including projections for growth
• Completion by your group's executive director of an online survey (estimated commitment: 1.5 to 2 hours)
• If your organization is selected as a finalist, participation of the executive director in a telephone interview (1.5 hours)

In general, we'll be assessing applications on five key criteria:

• Entrepreneurship: The ability to do a lot with a little
• Innovation: A big idea that trumps existing solutions
• Social Impact: Results, pure and simple
• Aspiration: Thinking big, but in a pragmatic way
• Sustainability: Are you built to last?

IMPORTANT: Fast Company will make public only the names of the Social Capitalist award winners and finalists. Winners will be recognized in our January 2006 issue. In addition, all finalists will be identified on the Fast Company Web site.

To see the 2005 Social Capitalist Award winners, read the accompanying stories, and learn more about our methodology, visit the Web site announcing the 2005 award recipients. If you have more questions about the Social Capitalist Awards, email us.