The BridgeBuilder Challenge is moving into an excited new phase, and we’re thrilled to announce a shortlist of the top 100 ideas. With more than 660 ideas connecting peace, prosperity and planet, the decision could not have been more difficult—both the GHR and OpenIDEO teams were thrilled with the volume, creativity and quality of ideas. Beyond the ideas, a community has taken shape around the Challenge, and we’ve seen connections and relationships form that we hope will strengthen each other’s work.
 
The shortlisted ideas will be moving on to the Beneficiary Feedback phase, during which they will have the opportunity to practice human-centered design on their ideas in the field, gathering feedback in local communities and sharing key insights.
 
Take a moment to check out some of the shortlisted ideas and join the conversation—we encourage you to connect with others working in regions or sectors in which you are interested. Your thoughts are essential in helping the shortlisted ideas expand their potential for impact, so share your feedback, expertise and questions!
 
Due to the unprecedented volume of ideas, we were unable to shortlist some amazing, impactful organizations doing groundbreaking work. If you submitted an idea that isn’t moving on to the Beneficiary Feedback phase, we encourage you to continue innovating with the help of these resources from OpenIDEO. By continuing to harness OpenIDEO’s approach and engaging with like-minded collaborators, you have an opportunity to increase the impact of your idea, and even prepare it for next year’s BridgeBuilder Challenge.
 
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed their passion and creativity to this Challenge—we look forward to sharing updates as we move into the Beneficiary Feedback phase. If you have any questions about the Challenge process or are interested in strengthening your idea with human-centered design, contact us!

Catholic sisters have always crossed boundaries between countries and cultures, but as congregations become increasingly diverse, we recognize the need for more knowledge and collaboration. GHR recently commissioned ‘International Sisters in the United States,’ a first-of-its-kind study that is gaining traction and opening a new dialogue on the challenges faced by international sisters, as well as the benefits of growing diversity.

Conducted by the Center of Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown (CARA) and Trinity Washington University with support from GHR and first shared at a convening in March, the study brings international sisters to the forefront as we celebrate their remarkable contributions to religious life. Since its launch, lead researcher Sr. Mary Johnson has reported on the findings at the University of Notre Dame and plans to present to the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland in Dublin.

The issue of Catholic sisters moving between countries is not unique to the United States—the insights in this report apply to women's religious life globally. To continue this conversation, GHR and the International Union of Superiors General are hosting a convening on May 4 in Rome. Those gathered will have the opportunity to learn about the research and use it as a starting point as they consider its implications in their home countries. 

To learn more about how GHR is working with Catholic sisters to build bridges between communities and foster peace, contact us.

From Grantmakers for Effective Organizations:

"How co-designing with grantees and partners from Day 1 can lead to stronger collaborations, flexible solutions and more meaningful impact.
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The call for greater collaboration has been persistent in philanthropy in recent years. The message is clear: The scale and complexity of the problems that the sector seeks to address require collaborative approaches and an independent, go-at-it-alone mentality..."
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With 662 ideas from participants in 185 countries, the Ideas phase of the 2017 BridgeBuilder Challenge has come to a close. We called on our global community to submit solutions addressing urgent global challenges in radically new ways, and were presented with an unexpected number of ideas from social innovators around the world. A huge thanks to everyone who participated, whether you submitted an idea, gave feedback or helped spread the word—you made the Ideas phase a tremendous success!

We at GHR are energized and inspired by the quality of submissions, and humbled by the expertise and dedication of everyone who participated in the Challenge community. We received ideas building bridges between peace, prosperity and planet in innovative ways, finding intersections in unexpected places. The reach of the Challenge provides us with diverse perspectives and opportunities outside our usual funding areas, which we hope pushes our work to the next level. 

​As we enter the Review phase, the GHR and OpenIDEO teams are eagerly digging into Challenge submissions. On May 1, after close and thoughtful review, we will announce the shortlisted ideas. We are excited to explore the ideas, learn from the creativity of Challenge participants and ensure their contributions help push the Foundation's work to the next level. The ideas selected during the Final Evaluation phase will be announced in July. 

GHR has committed $3 million to three challenges with OpenIDEO, and we will be conducting a second Challenge around this time next year. Until then, stay plugged in to the Challenge community—you can continue commenting on the ideas and discussing them with one another!

From Forbes: 

"There is much to be done around the world – there are people in need and societal systems that need improvement. And as global need continues, so does the shift toward groundbreaking innovation. Human-centered design, the power of technology and transformational partnerships have been taking the globe by storm, creating, solving and bringing new solutions to age-old problems.
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Minnesota-based GHR Foundation believes this innovation can help solve some of the greatest social challenges facing our world today..." 
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From the Foundation Center: 

"...Currently, we’re in the early stages of the BridgeBuilder Challenge, a collaboration with GHR Foundation in which we’re looking for solutions for global challenges at the intersection of peace, prosperity and planet. There is a deep need for dialogue and collaboration across these issue areas, and our challenge platform provides a space for that. The BridgeBuilder Challenge is therefore not organized as a traditional challenge with winners and losers, but as a quick and inviting way to build an impactful community.
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Already over 190 solutions have been submitted, ranging from Pioneer Valley Renewables, that  makes underwater turbines to improve electricity access in rural communities, to BanQu, a software technology that connects refugees and the world’s poorest to the global economy through digital identity..."
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GHR recently partnered with Global Minnesota to host a reception attended by 150 guests honoring two extraordinary women—Sister Carolin Tahhan Fachakh (Sister Carol) of Syria and Jannat Al Ghezi of Iraq. Sister Carol and Jannat are both recipients of the 2017 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage award. Each year, this prestigious award recognizes women who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights and women's empowerment, often at great personal risk.
 
Born in Aleppo, Syria, Sister Carol has remained in Damascus throughout the war. She was nominated by the Vatican for her ongoing service to refugee communities and children. The nursery school she runs provides a safe and friendly environment for more than 200 children, and a tailoring workshop she manages economically empowers women who have been internally displaced by the war. Jannat is the deputy director of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, and her organization has helped more than 500 victims of rape and domestic abuse by offering shelter, education, legal services and practical skill training.
 
GHR had the honor of meeting these incredible women of courage, and introducing Sister Carol, whose work has special importance to the foundation. GHR’s Sister Support Initiative is rooted in the fact that Catholic sisters are on the front line of every tough issue in the world, and Sister Carol is living proof if this. The world is enriched by the faith, dedication and service of Sister Carol, Jannat and sisters around the world facing great risks on a daily basis. To learn more about how GHR is working with Catholic sisters to restore communities and build peace, contact us.
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From Star Tribune:

"Foundations typically decide in secret which ideas to fund, and recipients often are the tried-and-true programs. But Minneapolis-based GHR Foundation is upending conventions with its BridgeBuilder Challenge, which is offering $1 million annually for outside-the-box ideas.

And here’s an unusual twist: The foundation puts all proposals on full public display.
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“We are excited to find out what we don’t know — what is out there? What are some unlikely partnerships that are forming?” said Amy R. Goldman...
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