CURRICULUM

Boost utilizes and expands upon Miller Center’s structured, validated curriculum, which has helped over 1,300 international social enterprises attain operational excellence and prepare for investment. Boost participants engage in hands-on training focused on critical learning outcomes necessary to optimize social impact while becoming more financially sustainable.

The program packs core business lessons into a powerful workshop to help established nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid social enterprise leaders in Baltimore learn business fundamentals, improve strategic thinking, and articulate a business plan that demonstrates impact, growth, and long-term financial sustainability.

Participants leave the Boost Program with the strategies and materials needed to grow their enterprise in a financially sustainable manner. It also provides an opportunity to apply for the funding and capacity-building programs they need to reach the next level of growth, including the IW+MC Accelerator, a 6-month accelerator program in IW’s Stage 4: GROW and Ignite Capital, IW’s impact investment subsidiary.

OUTCOMES

By the end of the end of Innovation Works Boost Program, participants:

• Complete, actionable templates, including tables, worksheets, and a slide deck for internal organizational planning and external proposals and communications.
• Complete an executive summary or “elevator pitch” illustrating the organization’s business and growth strategy to guide the organization after the workshop.
• Establish action plans that guide follow-on support for subsequent months.

Participants then have the opportunity to present their work from the four days to their peers in the program.

GET PLUGGED IN

Current and former Boost participants include leaders and decision-makers from 90+ social enterprises based in Baltimore who are familiar with and able to direct their organization’s business strategy.

Boost participants are selected by a committee of IW stakeholders, which include community leaders, social sector leaders, and other institutional partners. IW looks specifically for organizations based in Baltimore City with a social mission as a foundational component of their business. All Innovation Works programs are offered free of charge to selected organizations.