SIFP 2011 Comprehensive Survey of Social Innovators:

Quarterfinalists, Semifinalists, Finalists, and Winners

October 20, 2011

 

PAGE: 1
 

2. My organization is a
  answered question 41
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Quarterfinalist
39.0% 16
Semifinalist
24.4% 10
Finalist
7.3% 3
Finalist and award winner
29.3% 12

3. Please confirm the type of your organization
  answered question 41
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) or equivalent
46.3% 19
Nonprofit via a fiscal agent of registered 501(c)(3)
12.2% 5
Student team working through Ashoka
14.6% 6
For-profit: C-corp, B-corp, or LLC
26.8% 11
PAGE: 2

4. (Only for non-profits working through a fiscal agent): Enter the organization name of your fiscal agent and your primary contact there, including their phone number and email.
  answered question 4
  Response
Count
  4
PAGE: 3

5. Age of your *organization* (not program) for which you applied to SIFP:
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Under 1 year
27.5% 11
1-2 years
35.0% 14
3-5 years
10.0% 4
6-10 years
5.0% 2
11-24 years
2.5% 1
25+ years
20.0% 8

6. Age of your *program* for which you applied to SIFP, measured in months since formation. If program and organization are the same, enter the age of your organization, in months:
  answered question 40
  Response
Count
  40

7. Age of primary SIFP participant (who presented in quarter/semi/finals)
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Under 18
7.5% 3
19-24
7.5% 3
25-30
15.0% 6
31-40
25.0% 10
41-50
17.5% 7
51-60
22.5% 9
60+
5.0% 2

8. Where did you first hear about the SIFP program?
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Social Venture Partners
15.0% 6
Washington Women's Foundation
2.5% 1
United Way
5.0% 2
Microsoft Alumni Foundation
10.0% 4
Seattle Foundation
2.5% 1
ZINO Society
2.5% 1
Alliance of Angels
2.5% 1
Other angel group
2.5% 1
University of Washington   0.0% 0
Seattle University   0.0% 0
Bainbridge Graduate Institute
2.5% 1
City Club   0.0% 0
TiE
2.5% 1
Ashoka
7.5% 3
SIFP email forwarded from a friend
15.0% 6
Other (please specify)
30.0% 12

9. Do you remember when you first heard about SIFP?
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Early July
30.0% 12
Mid July
17.5% 7
Late July
12.5% 5
Early August
12.5% 5
Mid August
17.5% 7
Don't Remember
10.0% 4

10. EXTRA MOTIVATION to complete this survey:
  answered question 39
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
When I finish the survey, I would like to be put in a drawing to win a limited edition "SIFP Social Innovation Volunteer" T-Shirt.
66.7% 26
I don't care about T-Shirts but am happy to be 1/3 of the way through already!
33.3% 13

11. Would you feel more comfortable giving the SIFP team feedback in an anonymous survey?
  answered question 39
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Yes
15.4% 6
Maybe
10.3% 4
Does not matter one way or the other
74.4% 29
PAGE: 4

12. Which aspect of SVP's SIFP program is the MOST valuable to your organization?
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Access to grant awards (or investments)
20.0% 8
Fast pitch training (pitch clinics, etc.)
10.0% 4
Connections with peer orgs made through SIFP
2.5% 1
Mentoring from SIFP volunteers
20.0% 8
Promotion of my organization to the community
20.0% 8
Connections to donors and/or investors
27.5% 11

13. What aspect of SVP's SIFP program is the SECOND most valuable to your organization?
  answered question 39
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Access to grant awards (or investments)
20.5% 8
Fast pitch training (pitch clinics, etc.)
15.4% 6
Connections with peer orgs made through SIFP
7.7% 3
Mentoring from SIFP volunteers
17.9% 7
Promotion of my organization to the community
15.4% 6
Connections to donors and/or investors
23.1% 9

14. What aspect of SVP's SIFP program is the THIRD most valuable to your organization?
  answered question 38
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Access to grant awards (or investments)
10.5% 4
Fast pitch training (pitch clinics, etc.)
21.1% 8
Connections with peer orgs made through SIFP
10.5% 4
Mentoring from SIFP volunteers
15.8% 6
Promotion of my organization to the community
26.3% 10
Connections to donors and/or investors
15.8% 6

15. If there is something else you've gained from the SIFP program, or expect to benefit from, please describe it here:
  answered question 21
  Response
Count
  21
PAGE: 5

16. Participating in the SIFP program has been an excellent use of time for me and/or my organization. 1=unfavorable, 5=favorable:
  answered question 39
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
1   0.0% 0
2
5.1% 2
3
20.5% 8
4
25.6% 10
5
48.7% 19

17. I would highly recommend someone with a socially-innovative program, plan, or company to participate in the 2012 SIFP program. 1=unfavorable, 5=favorable:
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
1   0.0% 0
2
2.5% 1
3
12.5% 5
4
12.5% 5
5
72.5% 29

18. Thinking back to the beginning of the SIFP program, please rate the following elements on a scale of 1-5, where 1 is most unfavorable and 5 is most favorable. Leave blank if you did not participate / don't have an opinion.
  answered question 40
  1 2 3 4 5 Response
Count
Application process 0.0% (0) 7.7% (3) 17.9% (7) 43.6% (17) 30.8% (12) 39
Length and clarity of application 0.0% (0) 7.7% (3) 33.3% (13) 38.5% (15) 20.5% (8) 39
Andy Goodman webcast (either live or playback) 0.0% (0) 6.9% (2) 20.7% (6) 41.4% (12) 31.0% (9) 29
Pitch clinics & pitch coaching 0.0% (0) 8.3% (3) 13.9% (5) 44.4% (16) 33.3% (12) 36
Pixelflow access to each of your pitches 0.0% (0) 5.7% (2) 17.1% (6) 48.6% (17) 28.6% (10) 35
Mentoring via SIFP-matched mentor(s) 5.4% (2) 10.8% (4) 2.7% (1) 35.1% (13) 45.9% (17) 37
Quarterfinals pitch and judging session 0.0% (0) 5.4% (2) 21.6% (8) 35.1% (13) 37.8% (14) 37
Semifinals pitch and judging session 0.0% (0) 8.0% (2) 20.0% (5) 40.0% (10) 32.0% (8) 25
SIFP event: process to create Posters 13.0% (3) 4.3% (1) 65.2% (15) 8.7% (2) 8.7% (2) 23
SIFP event: on-stage presentation 4.0% (1) 0.0% (0) 8.0% (2) 36.0% (9) 52.0% (13) 25
SIFP event: effectiveness of Poster-Table reception 7.7% (2) 11.5% (3) 26.9% (7) 38.5% (10) 15.4% (4) 26
Overall resources provided via SIFP.net site 0.0% (0) 6.5% (2) 29.0% (9) 41.9% (13) 22.6% (7) 31
Angelsoft/Gust capabilities and performance 0.0% (0) 13.3% (4) 50.0% (15) 26.7% (8) 10.0% (3) 30
Communications from SIFP team throughout the program 0.0% (0) 10.8% (4) 21.6% (8) 29.7% (11) 37.8% (14) 37

19. For anything you rated 1 or 2, could you please give feedback on how we should improve.
  answered question 18
  Response
Count
  18
PAGE: 6

20. Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with the following statements about your experience through SIFP and about the impact of the SIFP program to date.
  answered question 40
  Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree Response
Count
I have gained new skills and confidence in articulating what my org/program achieves in terms of social impact 2.5% (1) 10.0% (4) 2.5% (1) 35.0% (14) 50.0% (20) 40
I have a model for organizational sustainability that is better than what I started out with 5.1% (2) 28.2% (11) 17.9% (7) 30.8% (12) 17.9% (7) 39
SIFP has not changed anything with my organization or how I articulate our story 47.5% (19) 37.5% (15) 7.5% (3) 7.5% (3) 0.0% (0) 40
I have made connections through SIFP that have or will materially help me succeed 2.5% (1) 12.5% (5) 12.5% (5) 35.0% (14) 37.5% (15) 40
The time I spent with the SIFP program was NOT well spent vs. return I have received 52.5% (21) 22.5% (9) 17.5% (7) 5.0% (2) 2.5% (1) 40
I see a clear link between SIFP participation and my org's long term sustainability 5.0% (2) 17.5% (7) 17.5% (7) 40.0% (16) 20.0% (8) 40
I have learned or made valuable contacts from my peer organizations due to interactions with them in the SIFP program 2.5% (1) 12.5% (5) 25.0% (10) 40.0% (16) 20.0% (8) 40
I would recommend to someone in a similar position in a similar org to participate in SIFP 2012 0.0% (0) 7.7% (3) 12.8% (5) 17.9% (7) 61.5% (24) 39

21. Please comment about anything in the program that was valuable to you that we have neglected to ask about, or leave blank if we covered the bases:
  answered question 12
  Response
Count
  12

22. Many feel that SIFP 2011 was on a overly-rushed timetable. For the 2012 SIFP program, the SIFP team should adjust time and resources in the following areas:
  answered question 40
  Much more time (3-4 more weeks or hours) More time (1-2 more weeks or hours) About the same Response
Count
Time between when I first heard of SIFP and when applications were due 22.5% (9) 25.0% (10) 52.5% (21) 40
Time between applications and quarterfinal competition 20.0% (8) 35.0% (14) 45.0% (18) 40
Hours available from mentors over entire program 37.5% (15) 37.5% (15) 25.0% (10) 40
Elapsed time over which I can work with mentors and coaches 35.0% (14) 35.0% (14) 30.0% (12) 40
Time between semifinals and SIFP public event 13.5% (5) 37.8% (14) 48.6% (18) 37

23. We are looking into running some workshops in the spring, well in advance of when applications will be due for 2012. Thinking of where you were in April/May of this year, or where someone you might recommend for the 2012 program might be, please rate your interest in these potential workshops.
  answered question 37
  Not interested Maybe interested Likely to attend Would definitely attend Response
Count
Measuring and reporting social impact 5.6% (2) 33.3% (12) 36.1% (13) 25.0% (9) 36
Business modelling & org sustainability 8.1% (3) 27.0% (10) 29.7% (11) 37.8% (14) 37
Innovating in service delivery with new technologies 18.9% (7) 40.5% (15) 21.6% (8) 18.9% (7) 37
Leadership and team development for non-profits 18.9% (7) 24.3% (9) 32.4% (12) 24.3% (9) 37
Developing your board and board of advisers 16.2% (6) 27.0% (10) 27.0% (10) 32.4% (12) 37
Spreading the word on a limited budget (mkt/PR, social media) 8.1% (3) 27.0% (10) 32.4% (12) 35.1% (13) 37
Pitch clinics - similar to September clinics (10-12 people 15 min each) 5.4% (2) 37.8% (14) 32.4% (12) 27.0% (10) 37
Pitch clinics - smaller groups (4-5 people 30 mins each) 0.0% (0) 36.1% (13) 30.6% (11) 33.3% (12) 36
Other (please specify) 3

24. Do you have other recommendations on how we should run the program, from a timing perspective?
  answered question 16
  Response
Count
  16
PAGE: 7

25. Would you like to have more/less/the same of the following areas *after* applications are accepted, with an understanding that doing more of things that cost money/resources will mean doing less of other things that have costs:
  answered question 40
  2011 program was about right Would like to see much more of this Do not need this, can get elsewhere No opinion or N/A Response
Count
Pitch coaching sessions 59.0% (23) 28.2% (11) 0.0% (0) 12.8% (5) 39
Mentoring 32.4% (12) 54.1% (20) 2.7% (1) 10.8% (4) 37
Additional workshops (business model development, use of technology, fundraising, etc.) 15.4% (6) 51.3% (20) 15.4% (6) 17.9% (7) 39
Judging sessions with real time verbal feedback 38.5% (15) 51.3% (20) 0.0% (0) 10.3% (4) 39
Social and peer connection opportunities 39.5% (15) 15.8% (6) 28.9% (11) 15.8% (6) 38
Networking opportunities with mentors, coaches, judges, donors, investors 20.0% (8) 72.5% (29) 0.0% (0) 7.5% (3) 40
Other (please specify) 4

26. Are there any specific things we asked you to do that in retrospect you feel were not a good use of time?
  answered question 11
  Response
Count
  11

27. Please rate the quality of the mentoring you received, from the primary, secondary, or other SIFP-connected mentors.
  answered question 40
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
Not helpful   0.0% 0
So-so
7.5% 3
Good
22.5% 9
Very helpful
42.5% 17
Exceptional
25.0% 10
Didn't get mentored
5.0% 2
PAGE: 8

28. Which mentor(s) was/were most helpful to you?
  answered question 26
  Response
Count
  26

29. We had many debates about how to configure awards. There are pros/cons of any model chosen. Putting aside whether you received an award or not, which of the following models do you feel would make the SIFP process and competition most attractive to innovators and most effective in achieving its objective (of increasing the speed and sustainability of social innovation in our region):
  answered question 39
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
The model used was about right
61.5% 24
Fewer and large grants & investments and no smaller ones would be better
23.1% 9
Broader distribution to all who make the finals would be better, even though each award would be smaller
15.4% 6

30. Please add other thoughts on how we awarded grants & investments:
  answered question 17
  Response
Count
  17

31. Have you received, or are you confident you will receive, any donations or investments other than SIFP's publicized awards as a result of participating in the SIFP program?
  answered question 35
  Response
Percent		 Response
Count
No
65.7% 23
Yes, less than $1,000
5.7% 2
Yes, between $1,000 and $4,999
8.6% 3
Yes, between $5,000 and $9,999
2.9% 1
Yes, between $10,000 and $19,999
2.9% 1
Yes, $20,000+
14.3% 5

32. Are there other things we could add to the program that would have a material impact on how fast and effectively you pursue your venture or program, and/or that would increase your long-term organizational sustainability (via business model innovation, new forms of revenue, better fundraising, etc.)?
  answered question 19