One year ago, President Obama officially announced the upcoming launch of a Social Innovation Fund (SIF) that would call on “foundations, philanthropists, and others in the private sector to partner with the government to find and invest in innovative, high-impact solutions.” He went on, “Now more than ever, we need to build cross-sector partnerships to transform our schools, improve the health of Americans, and employ more people in clean energy and other emerging industries. These community solutions will help build the new foundation for the economy and the nation.” For more in depth information about this White House announcement read our blog post.

We hope you’ll take a look at the newest feature on the Public Innovators site: PI Profiles. It is our chance to highlight the amazing work of public innovators around the country like:

One week ago Michelle Obama and Patrick Corvington, the CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service, announced the initial phase of philanthropic commitments to the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) at a White House event.

The SIF will fund innovative results oriented solutions to the country’s most pressing social problems. It has three areas of focus: Economic Opportunity, Youth Development/School Support, and Healthy Futures.

The following private foundations and philanthropists are committing a total of $45 million over the next two years to match SIF grants or invest in other innovative community solutions:

• The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation ($10 million over 2 years)

• John and Ann Doerr's Family Foundation ($5 million over 2 years)

• Omidyar Network ($10 million over 2 years)

• The Open Society Foundations’ Special Fund for Poverty Alleviation ($10 million over 1 year)

• The Skoll Foundation ($10 million over 2 years)

Additionally, Mrs. Obama announced that more than 130 community foundations around the country signed a letter in support of the SIF and the Administration’s commitment to social innovation.

Even before the dust had time to settle after the UK elections, Prime Minister David Cameron made a call for ‘deep and serious reform’. What’s unusual about this call to action? Reform will be delivered through social enterprise.

According to an article at Social Enterprise Live, “the new government would support social enterprises, mutuals, co-ops and charities to give them greater involvement in the running of public services.” Cameron is calling the movement “Big Society”; while the name may carry some unfortunate connotations, the concept and its UK manifestation bear encouraging opportunities for the future of social innovation and government.