PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 4-SESSION PROGRAM TO BE HELD MONDAYS 6:30-8:30 pm, BEGINNING FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 20. It is highly encouraged to attend all four sessions, as they go through the design thinking process in a sequence.
Nonprofits frequently fundraise in a feast or famine cycle. Grants too often come with strings attached that can pull you away from your core mission. If you want to create on-mission revenue and reduce some of that funding volatility, you may be considering building a social enterprise under your nonprofit. Maybe you already have an idea, but you're not sure if it will work or how to get started, or maybe you need some guidance in the creative thinking process. Either way, don't just speculate, design it!
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology you can use to create innovative social enterprises. Build something you know your customers actually want. This four-session primer just for ACS nonprofits, held Monday evenings from February 27 to March 20, will give you the tools you need to cut through ambiguity and move forward with confidence. Vance MacEwen, co-founder of Greatest Possible Good, will deliver interactive workshops walking you through the design thinking process and will support you with one-on-ones along the way. You'll come out of the program with a new toolkit and some groundwork laid for creating a new social enterprise.
This special program is supported by the Business Revitalization Initiative Through Entrepreneurship (BRITE) funding from the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) in Howard County.
ACS Members Only: Free
This program is limited to 20 participants, so please be sure to register early to reserve your space.
Please note it is highly encouraged to attend all four sessions, as they go through the design thinking process in a sequence.
About the presenter:
Vance MacEwen, MA, MBA - Entrepreneur in Residence at the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) and co-founder CEO of Greatest Possible Good, a design thinking firm for social good. Vance mentors residents and affiliates of the MIC and volunteers through the Maryland Tech Council Venture Mentor Services, SEED SPOT, and the Youth Leaders of the Americas Initiative. Greatest Possible Good, winner of the 2019 MICA UP/Start Venture Competition, works with social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses to align teams and executives' actions with their visions for impact. Vance previously served as chief of staff for Montgomery County Delegate Al Carr, English teacher at a private school in Chengdu, China, and work crew member at McDonogh School. He loves helping founders find their North Stars, hone their business strategies, and win pitches. He is a certified Kauffman FastTrac facilitator.