The Purpose Prize Nominations Are Now Open

The Purpose Prize is now accepting nominations through March 1, 2008. The Purpose Prize awards $100,000 to five outstanding social innovators over the age of 60 and is an initiative of Civic Ventures, a nonprofit founded in the late 1990s by social entrepreneur Marc Freedman.

Civic Ventures is reframing the debate about aging in America and redefining the second half of life as a source of social and individual renewal. Through research, publishing, conferences, and media outreach, Civic Ventures reports on the growth of the "experience movement." Through programs and consulting, Civic Ventures brings together older adults with a passion for service and helps stimulate opportunities for using their talents to advance the greater good. In these ways, Civic Ventures is helping America realize an experience dividend.

The first of 77 million baby boomers turned 60 in 2006. They are on the front edge of the largest, healthiest, best educated population of Americans ever to move through and beyond their fifties; they represent an extraordinary pool of social and human capital; and never before have so many people had so much knowledge-and so much time to use it. Unleashing this vast human potential is a social imperative.

Initiatives of Civic Ventures include:

• Experience Corps, a national service program for Americans over 55.
• The Next Chapter, an initiative that provides expertise and assistance to community groups across the country working to help people in the second half of life set a course, connect with peers, and find pathways to significant service.
• The Lead with Experience Campaign and The Purpose Prize, a three-year initiative to invest in older social innovators by recognizing outstanding achievements, creating a network of people wanting to use their retirement years for the greater good, and channeling funds and assistance to these new pioneers. The Purpose Prize is now accepting nominations through March 1, 2008 for outstanding social innovators over the age of 60.
• Still Working, a documentary project that profiles people working for the greater good in the second half of life.
• The MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award is for innovative organizations that tap the passion and experience of people over 50 to improve society.
• The MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Community College Encore Career Grants are for innovative community colleges that are creating new ways for adults 50+ to transition to "encore careers" in education, healthcare and social services - all sectors facing critical labor shortages.