Meet the 2016 Mission Accelerator Class

After an exciting Philanthropitch competition, the 2016 Mission Accelerator class was selected. This year’s class is working to solve some of Austin’s most complex community problems in areas such as literacy, education, healthcare, job training and more.

	BookSpring is seeking to strategically grow their health-based literacy program, which currently serves 30 pediatric medical clinics and reaches more than 19,000 children in Central Texas each year. BookSpring’s program supplies pediatricians with a dependable stream of well-curated books and motivational materials for patients and their caregivers. Through the support of the Mission Accelerator, they’ll further develop their earned revenue strategy for this program and better understand the market for their services in Austin and beyond.
	CareBOX Program will expand their services to deliver care boxes to the homes of Austin-area cancer patients. CareBOX Program helps recently-diagnosed cancer patients and their families identify and source a list of essential care supplies not covered by insurance. In addition, CareBOX collects cash donations, and procures and delivers the supplies directly to patients’ homes. This innovative approach combines the power of crowdfunding and the simplicity of a gift registry. With the support of the Mission Accelerator and Social Venture Partners, they will be able to develop a plan for growth and better understand how to market their current program.
	Con Mi MADRE offers young Latinas and their mothers the educational and socio-emotional support they need to ensure the girls avoid educational barriers, graduate high school, enroll in and complete post-secondary education. They are ready to expand their programming outside the initial service area of Austin and are looking for support with this expansion. Through the Mission Accelerator, Con Mi MADRE hopes to create a business growth model and learn how to approach potential investors.
	EcoRise Youth Innovations empowers kids to tackle real-world challenges in their schools and communities by teaching environmental literacy, design and innovation. Over the past few years, EcoRise has experienced tremendous growth as they shifted from direct classroom facilitation to a train-the-teacher model. With this growth, EcoRise is determined to scale its curriculum development program internationally. In partnership with Mission Capital’s consultants and Social Venture Partners, EcoRise will explore the legal structure and investment options that best suit their organizational goals.
	Goodwill Central Texas is looking to develop and validate a sustainable business model for their Goodwill Career and Technical Academy (GCTA). The GCTA provides occupational certification programs targeted to high-growth industries such as health, construction, manufacturing and technology. With support from the Mission Accelerator, Goodwill hopes to gain insight into program development, capacity building, entrepreneurial modeling, risk analysis and responsible growth.

Over the next few months, these five nonprofits will engage in group classes and receive one-on-one guidance from nonprofit consultants as well as some of Austin’s most successful business leaders and social entrepreneurs. At the end of the program, they’ll have an investment-ready business plan in addition to the network and skills they need to pitch their plans and receive funding.