FEATURED CONTENT
Former Congressman Ben McAdams Joins the Sorenson Impact Center
McAdams will bring together individuals and groups to explore opportunities for public-private partnerships seeking solutions to challenges facing local communities and the federal government. He will also create opportunities for students to develop experience in fields related to impact investing, data science, impact measurement, innovative finance and initiative building.
We're hiring a Managing Director of Marketing, Communications and Storytelling
Our incoming MD will combine significant marketing expertise with a passion for making the world a better place. They will build on our current success to magnify our visibility, help us move to the next level of impact, and evolve in our next phase of growth.
Announcing Impact Investor Geoff Davis as our CEO
Davis is a seasoned entrepreneur turned social entrepreneur turned impact investor, and his most recent position was CEO & Managing Partner of Cicero Impact Capital. He will bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to Sorenson Impact.
From Intention to Active Anti-Racism: We Must and Will Do Better
As a Center, we are reflecting, listening, and engaging in honest conversations about our power and privilege. We are committed to holding ourselves accountable and sharing as we work toward anti-racist policy and practice. We must and will do better.
Vital Data to Support Children during Covid-19
Children are among those most affected by food shortages, diminished public services, mental health strain, and worsening poverty wrought by the pandemic.
Ramping Up Our Response
Understanding the social context of the Covid-19 spread will be essential to informed policy discussions. This analysis is not meant to replace peer-reviewed research, but to open a discussion on the type of social impact analysis that should be conducted on the spread and impacts of Covid-19.
A Playbook for Designing Social Impact Measurement
Thinking about social impact measurement on a spectrum can help organizations develop a clear, evidence-based idea of how or why their programs work.
IN THE NEWS
Shaping the Future of Higher Ed By Listening to Students
Higher education has been upended. Institutions are balancing budget cuts, the risks of Covid-19 transmission on campus, virtual and in-person instruction, and the retention of students deeply concerned about their futures.
Brigham City's reborn Union Block Building kick-starts statewide rural development
Appearing at a newly redeveloped historic Main Street building on Tuesday, a White House official announced a $550,000 grant to spur rural Utah economic revival projects.
Developing A New Rural Playbook for Investment And Opportunity Zone Insights
Utah’s rural counties faced investment challenges years before the Covid-19 pandemic. A playbook aimed at gathering resources for a new generation of rural investment is set to play an important role in the state’s rural recovery.
REPORTS
Health and the Economy
Nearly a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, Utahns have learned that healthy communities and a vibrant economy go hand in hand. Business owners and public health experts are more aligned than ever: safety for consumers will enable a faster recovery. Small businesses in Utah are digging in to support our communities, customers, and families, all while reimagining sustainability alongside new public health practices.
Utah Clean Energy Fund: An Analysis of Viability and Economic Impact
To enable investment in jobs and energy across Utah, this report proposes the creation of the Utah Clean Energy Fund (“UCEF”).
White Paper: Five Themes for Centering Student Equity
In the fall of 2020, the Center virtually convened a group of more than 40 students, data scientists, industry experts, and institutional leaders to define the most pressing, often overlooked issues facing higher education.
Service Slows the Spread
Hoping to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities, Utahns have adapted to new conditions with service front-of-mind. Personal sacrifice is the daily experience of many, with the Covid-19 pandemic creating unprecedented opportunities for public service by prioritizing public health.
A View From The Front Lines
In partnership with the Utah Health and Economic Recovery Outreach (HERO) Project, the Center has developed a series of case studies. Our first, A View From The Front Lines highlights the experience of healthcare workers as they tackle the covid-19 pandemic.
Sorenson 2019 Impact Report
At the Sorenson Impact Center, we believe that profound social impact is contingent on leveraging four cohesive strategies: data science, community engagement, innovative finance, and impact storytelling. Experts across business, government, finance, foundations, and nonprofits trust the Sorenson Impact Methodology to measure, articulate, and expand their impact.
Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program Strategic Plan: 2019–2025
The Sorenson Impact Center was contracted to develop a strategic plan for the State of Utah’s most extensive arts education program. The Center created a long-term expansion plan for the BTSALP so that every student in Utah benefits from arts instruction and arts- integrated learning experiences.
Sorenson Impact Portfolio
We believe that profound social impact is contingent on leveraging four cohesive strategies: data science, community engagement, innovative finance, and impact storytelling.
JPMorgan Chase & Co - The Status of Utah’s Female and Minority Small Business Owners
The Sorenson Impact Center was contracted by JPMorgan Chase & Co to define the market for women and minority run businesses in the state of Utah as well as provide recommendations for how this market could be strengthened.
Sorenson 2018 Impact Report
The Sorenson Impact Center is a think-and-do tank with a 360-degree command of the social impact space. We know it’s not just the responsibility of government or nonprofits to solve our world’s social issues, it’s also on the shoulders of businesses, investors, and academics to come up with solutions to problems that will improve people’s lives.
PRESS RELEASES
Former Congressman Ben McAdams Joins Sorenson Impact Center
McAdams will bring together individuals and groups to explore opportunities for public-private partnerships seeking solutions to challenges facing local communities and the federal government. He will also create opportunities for students to develop experience in fields related to impact investing, data science, impact measurement, innovative finance and initiative building.
Businesses Saved and Jobs Protected
Based on a new impact report commissioned by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and conducted by the Sorenson Impact Center, the $12 million Utah Leads Together Small Business Bridge Loan Program helped 1,150 small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees across the state weather the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Center Receives Federal Grant to Support Diversity in Entrepreneurship
The Sorenson Impact Center, a think tank housed at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The Ivory Prize: The Importance of Innovation to Improve Housing Affordability
The nation faces a significant housing affordability crisis. At the end of the first Quarter, 2012, 77.5% of new and existing home sales were affordable to a family earning the local median income.
The Sorenson Impact Center Launches the Opportunity Zones Task Force and Upcoming Opportunity Zones Catalyst Challenge
The Sorenson Impact Center, along with its founding partners today launched The Opportunity Zones Task Force, and forthcoming Opportunity Zones Catalyst Challenge.
Four Innovators Awarded Funding to Tackle Housing Affordability
Factory OS and Landed in San Francisco, Home Partners of America in Chicago and The Alley Flat Initiative in Austin have been selected by Ivory Innovations as winners of the inaugural Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability. The national innovation challenge sheds light on emerging and impactful solutions seeking to address America’s housing affordability challenges.
University of Utah Announces Innovative Financing Program to Help Students Finish Degrees
The University of Utah launches Invest in U pilot program, in partnership with the Sorenson Impact Center and Vemo Education, to help students in 18 majors finish their degrees. The program has a $6 million budget and is funded by the university, donors and investors.
Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) - A Playbook for Designing Social Impact Measurement
Thinking about social impact measurement on a spectrum can help organizations develop a clear, evidence-based idea of how or why their programs work.
The National Council on Family Relations - Social Services Professionals' Views of Barriers to Supporting Homeless Noncustodial Fathers
Tiana N. Rogers, a manager on the data, policy, and performance innovation team at the Sorenson Impact Center authored the article “Social Services Professionals' Views of Barriers to Supporting Homeless Noncustodial Fathers,” which investigates the barriers to service for homeless noncustodial fathers from the perspective of social service professionals who work directly to assist men with securing housing while meeting the demands of fatherhood.
Brookings - The Evaluation Roadmap for Optimizing Pre-K Programs
Janis Dubno, a managing director of data, policy, and performance innovation at the Sorenson Impact Center contributed to the Brookings report analyzing the optimization of pre-K programs.
The What Works Media Project Launches
The Sorenson Impact Center and Results for America have partnered with Starfish Media Group, Solutions Media, and Impact Partners to produce documentary shorts that impact policy and change lives. Read Results for America's press release.
White House Announces Grant Awardees for Pay for Success Administrative Data Pilot
Sorenson Impact receives $1.5 million grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Social Innovation Fund (SIF) to enable data access for social service projects nationwide. Read full press release.
Pima County and Sorenson Impact to Begin Implementing $1.3M Grant
Pima County and Sorenson Impact prepare to implement a $1.3 million federal "Pay for Success" (PFS) Supportive Housing Demonstration Grant, the first of its kind in Arizona. Read the full press release.
Sorenson Impact and Social Finance Announce Pay for Success Competition
Five awardees to receive up to $520,000 each to scale high-impact programs in their communities; youth development, economic opportunity and healthy futures are the focus of awards. Read the full press release.
NEWSLETTERS
From Intention to Active Anti-Racism: We Must and Will Do Better
As a Center, we are reflecting, listening, and engaging in honest conversations about our power and privilege. We are committed to holding ourselves accountable and sharing as we work toward anti-racist policy and practice. We must and will do better.
Vital Data to Support Children during Covid-19
Children are among those most affected by food shortages, diminished public services, mental health strain, and worsening poverty wrought by the pandemic.
Ramping Up Our Response
Understanding the social context of the Covid-19 spread will be essential to informed policy discussions. This analysis is not meant to replace peer-reviewed research, but to open a discussion on the type of social impact analysis that should be conducted on the spread and impacts of Covid-19.
2019 Holiday Newsletter, 2020 Summit Updates
We are pleased to announce that 2020 Winter Innovation Summit attendees will have the opportunity to listen to Jean Case, Chair of National Geographic and CEO of the Case Impact Network, in a fireside chat with Lindsay Zizumbo, Chief of Staff of the Sorenson Impact Foundation, on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
2020 Summit: Cyber Monday Discount and New Content
This Deep Dive aims to spark a national conversation about how governments can build cultures of innovation that embrace learning from failure to generate inclusive innovation, as well as how the private and social sectors can support this critical culture change.
Fall 2019 Newsletter: Announcing 2020 Summit Keynote! Plus check out the Center's origin story.
We are pleased to announce that Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, will address the 2020 Winter Innovation Summit attendees on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Change a Student's Life. Change the World.
"I didn't think that I would come to a developing country and find so much hope. That has been the most transformative part... there are people everywhere that are trying to change the world."
Lexi Kaili, MPA Candidate, Associate
Lexi Kaili, MPA Candidate, Associate
Registration Now Open for WIS 2020!
The 2020 Summit will be held February 5–7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and will feature revolutionary thought leaders, new innovative content, and evolutions of our pilot programs.
Summer Newsletter: Announcing “The Forbes OZ 20: Top OZ Catalysts"
Sorenson Impact Center and Forbes are excited to announce its newest official list: The Forbes OZ 20: Top OZ Catalysts.
Winners of the Ivory Prize Tackle Housing Affordability
Factory OS and Landed in San Francisco, Home Partners of America in Chicago, and the Alley Flat Initiative in Austin have been selected by Ivory Innovations as winners of the inaugural Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability.
Spring Newsletter: Summit Highlights, Darren Walker Forbes x Sorenson article, and announcing SIPPRA services.
The 2019 Winter Innovation Summit brought together 927 attendees from 4 countries and 35 states. Attendees discussed the latest breakthroughs in social impact, innovation, and investing, skied the greatest snow on Earth, and enjoyed exclusive film premieres.