Chicago Ideas Week Now Accepting Applications for the 2015 Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship

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Apr 07, 2015, 11:00 ET

CHICAGO, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) announces its call for applications for the fifth annual Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation (BHSI) Fellowship. Created by philanthropists and entrepreneurs Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand, the BHSI Fellowship recognizes social entrepreneurs, 35 years and younger, whose nonprofit and for-profit ventures tackle significant social issues through innovative business models. Each BHSI Fellow receives $10,000 in financial support toward his or her work, as well as exposure and connections to top business and civic leaders. All BHSI Fellows will participate in Chicago Ideas Week, a week-long ideas festival featuring world-class speakers that takes place October 12–18, 2015.

"The generous support provided by Leslie and David during the past five years has been incredible, with over $1,000,000 given through partnerships and relationships created through the Fellowship program," CIW Executive Director Jessica Malkin said. "Annually, the Fellowship is a significant highlight of Chicago Ideas Week and is anticipated by many."

Past Fellows have received a wide range of national and international recognition, including being featured in Forbes' 30 under 30, honored by the Clinton Global Initiative and selected as CNN Heroes, among other accomplishments. As Fellows, participants have had the opportunity to meet with influencers ranging from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Dreamworks Chairwoman and Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson, Groupon Co-Founder and CEO Eric Lefkofsky, Equity Groups Chairman Sam Zell, Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert, and more.

"Throughout the week, BHSI Fellows have the opportunity to connect with influential business and civic leaders, and are given access to a wide variety of resources," Leslie Bluhm said. "Now in our fifth year, we continue to be impressed with the commitment these young entrepreneurs demonstrate in finding innovative ways to address social issues."

About the Fellowship
Each BHSI Fellow will have an opportunity to:

Speak at Chicago Ideas Week. Fellows present at CIW, which annually brings over 30,000 attendees together with leading innovators, entrepreneurs and intellectuals.
Engage with big thinkers. Fellows will have several small group meetings with prominent business and political leaders.
Conduct one-on-one strategic meetings. The BHSI Fellowship team works closely with each Fellow to develop a customized itinerary of actionable meetings with potential funders, partners and mentors.
Connect with CIW speakers. Fellows have unlimited access to CIW speakers.

To Apply:

Social entrepreneurs 35 years and younger from anywhere in the world can apply for the Fellowship online at www.chicagoideas.com/bhsi.
People of all ages can submit their nominations for potential fellows at www.chicagoideas.com/special_programs/bhsi/nominate.

About Chicago Ideas
Chicago Ideas is a year-round platform featuring globally recognized speakers and interactive experiences that are designed to turn ideas into actionable results. It is a platform for ideas, created for innovators, thinkers, doers and interested citizens from across Chicago, the greater Midwest and the world. Its goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish A Community of Curiosity. For more information, please visit www.chicagoideas.com and follow Chicago Ideas on Facebook and Twitter via @chicagoideas. Chicago Ideas is a 501(c)(3) organization.

About Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand
Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand are committed to making a positive impact through philanthropy in the Midwest, as well as nationally. Leslie is the co-founder of Chicago Cares, the largest volunteer service organization in the Midwest today. Leslie's ambition in creating the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship was to support and guide the next generation of socially minded entrepreneurs. David is the president and CEO of Equity Commonwealth. He is also the co-president of Equity Group Investments, a Chicago-based private investment firm. David serves on the board of the Children's Memorial Hospital and the Executive Committee for the Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He is also a member of the Board of Visitors of the Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University. His philanthropic focus is the advancement of education and entrepreneurship.

Media Contact
Kathryn Terrell
Director of Communications
312.626.2592
[email protected]

Jessica Malkin
Executive Director, Chicago Ideas Week
Co-Director, BHSI Fellowship
[email protected]
312.662.7708

SOURCE Chicago Ideas Week