Author Archives: Patrick Lester

New Workforce Law Provides $300 Million for Pay-for-Success Programs

On July 22, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law. The law authorizes and reauthorizes a total $9.5 billion per year in federal funding for workforce programs. The new law eliminates 15 existing federal workforce … Continue reading

Posted in Social Impact Bonds / Pay for Success, Workforce Issues

Social Innovation Fund Announces $11.2 Million for Pay-for-Success Grants

The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) has announced that will provide up to $11.2 million in grants for eligible nonprofit organizations and city and state governments for pay-for-success (PFS) programs in low-income communities. The grants will range from $200,000 to $1.8 … Continue reading

Posted in Social Impact Bonds / Pay for Success, Social Innovation Fund

Presidential Task Force on Men and Boys of Color Releases Report Focused on Evidence and Results

On May 28, a White House task force charged with reviewing existing federal initiatives affecting men and boys of color released an initial, 90-day report detailing recommendations that are heavily focused on evidence and data. President Obama created the task … Continue reading

Posted in Children and Families, Collective Impact, Education

Workforce Innovation Fund Announces New Grant Competition

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $53 million in new grants through its Workforce Innovation Fund (WIF). Eligible applicants include state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards.  According to the solicitation, as in previous WIF … Continue reading

Posted in Social Impact Bonds / Pay for Success, Workforce Issues

Obama Administration’s “Evidence and Innovation Agenda” Continues

The White House is directing federal agencies to provide details of both their accomplishments over the past year and plans for the coming year toward implementing the administration’s “Evidence and Innovation Agenda.” The requirements were included in a guidance memo … Continue reading

Posted in Government Performance, Performance Management

GAO: Promise Neighborhoods Needs Evaluation Plan, Should Inventory Related Programs and Funding

Promise Neighborhoods, an Obama administration initiative loosely modeled on the Harlem Children’s Zone and other place-based initiatives, lacks an appropriate plan for measuring its results, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In its report, … Continue reading

Posted in Collective Impact, Education

White House Releases Reports on Big Data

On May 1, the White House released two reports on big data that were assembled at the request of President Obama. The primary report covers the development of big data technology and its tension with privacy rights and laws. It … Continue reading

Posted in Data

Senate Panel Holds Hearing on Social Impact Bonds

On May 1, the Government Performance Task Force of the Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on social impact bonds. The panel invited four witnesses to testify, two of whom were supportive and two critical of social impact bonds (SIBs). … Continue reading

Posted in Social Impact Bonds / Pay for Success

Education Department Announces Latest Round of Investing in Innovation Grants

On April 24, the U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of $135 million in total grants to be made to nonprofits and other eligible organizations under the administration’s Investing in Innovation (i3) program. Under the program, grants are made … Continue reading

Posted in Education