Meet the New Class of Social Innovators in United Way's GroundFloor Program

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has named its new class of GroundFloor fellows — and it’s the biggest one yet.

Through the redesigned five-month program, fellows can earn up to $125,000 in seed funding by reaching certain milestones.

The accelerator program launched in 2013, helps guide early-stage social ventures to success through mentorship and education and networking events. Past participants include Akola and Café Momentum.

Through the redesigned five-month program, fellows can earn up to $125,000 in seed funding by reaching certain milestones.

“This year we are working with more innovators than ever before, but will ultimately make transformative investments in the organizations that are able to prove their ability to impact North Texas,” said Kate Knight, GroundFloor director, in a release.

The 10 fellows in the 2017 class are working on programs designed to tackle issues ranging from recidivism and food deserts to easing the foster care system and expanding educational opportunities for at-risk kids.

They were selected from 16 finalists who presented during the recent Quick Pitch Selection Day.

2017 GROUNDFLOOR FELLOWS

Here’s a list of the 2017 fellows and an explanation of their programs:

Beacon Hill Preparatory Institute
The tutoring service is looking to create an app using its math and reading curriculum. Beacon Hill believes the new offering will allow it to be more effective and efficient in helping students.

Bonton Farms
The South Dallas urban farm founded to alleviate the area’s food desert is planning to open a neighborhood market in its next phase. The market will give the farm a venue to sell its fresh produce and educate the community on healthy living.

Center for Employment Opportunities
The nonprofit is working to launch its employment services for people with criminal records in the Dallas area. Its model works to reduce recidivism and rebuild families and communities along the way. It says its program saves taxpayers up to $3.30 in corrections and public safety costs for every dollar invested.

Education Opens Doors
Education Opens Doors wants to package its program offering “college knowledge” and soft skills not usually taught in schools in a digital format to reach more middle and high school students.

First3Years
The nonprofit’s Safe Babies program aims to improve outcomes for young children in the child welfare system by making adjustments to foster care processes and protocols for infants. It says the initiative could reunite families sooner and also save the state hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Friends of Wednesday’s Child
The nonprofit’s Success in School program offers a free, year-round educational services program to North Texas students living in foster care. Friends of Wednesday’s Child wants to expand the program throughout the state.

ScholarShot
Scholarshot provides at-risk students support in their journey to complete higher education degrees. Its services include assistance in crafting an academic plan, managing a budget, and meeting deadlines. Each student is also paired with an academic manager to monitor their progress. Since its founding in 2009, more than 85 percent of Scholarshot participants have earned degrees, according to its website.

Skratch Solutions
Whether it’s walking dogs, babysitting, or tutoring, the Skratch mobile app gives teens a safe and easier way to find jobs in their neighborhoods. The app launched last September and is planning to expand its services to help teenagers living in low-to-mid socioeconomic areas find work.

Texas New Era Center
Texas New Era Center/Jobs With Justice’s Project Phoenix helps rebuild lives by securing union apprenticeship jobs paying a living wage for adults ages 18-30 with criminal records.

Youth With Faces
Youth with Faces offers enrichment and career exploration programs for young men and women in the juvenile justice system in order to break the cycle of incarceration. The nonprofit helped incubate the social enterprise, Café Momentum, and is embarking on a new culinary project focused on box lunches that will offer employment opportunities for its youth participants.