Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Latest Blog Posts

December 7, 2012 at 3:23 PM EDT

Why Taking Tax Rates Off the Table Threatens Non-Profits and Charitable Giving

A new report by the National Economic Council shows that imposing a dollar cap on itemized deductions would effectively eliminate the charitable deduction for up to 13 million households and for as much as 60 percent of currently deductible giving.
September 11, 2012 at 6:23 PM EDT

Serving to Honor the Memory of 9/11

When we give our talent and time to help others, we honor the memories of those that were lost and preserve the spirit of solidarity that flourished in the aftermath of the attack.
August 16, 2012 at 4:18 PM EDT

Mobilizing Capital in Places that Need it Most

Recently, the Treasury Department announced $186 million in new CDFI investments to 210 organizations. This represents the largest single announcement of award dollars and award recipients in the history of the CDFI Fund.

The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation is focused on doing business differently by:

promoting service as a solution and a way to develop community leadership;
increasing investment in innovative community solutions that demonstrate results; and
developing new models of partnership.

These three mission areas together comprise the community solutions agenda.

December 14, 2010
President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Council for Community Solutions.

January 21, 2010
On Martin Luther King Day, the President and First Lady dedicated the morning to serving the community in DC.

October 16, 2009
President Obama delivered remarks commemorating the 20th anniversary of President George HW Bush’s Points of Light.

November 11, 2009
The First Lady launched an innovative veterans and military families service partnership on Veterans Day 2009.