Chicago Ideas Week Announces the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship

CHICAGO, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping to advance the next generation of socially minded innovators, Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) announces its partnership with the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship, which will bring five young social entrepreneurs from across the country to CIW, a seven-day platform for ideas, innovation and community, to be held October 10 – 16, 2011. The Fellowship, created by Leslie Bluhm, co-founder of the volunteer service organization, Chicago Cares, and her husband David Helfand, is accepting applications through July 5, 2011.

The Fellowship will reward young leaders, who have demonstrated a measurable impact in their field, with a $10,000 contribution to their venture. Select members of the fellowship class will be chosen to present their social venture alongside established professionals during an event celebrating social entrepreneurship. Each Fellow will also be invited to meet with and receive guidance from Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand, as well as other prominent leaders, including CIW Co-Chair and former Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chairman of Equity Group Investments Sam Zell, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Groupon Eric Lefkofsky, and GrubHub Co-Founder and CEO Matthew Maloney.

"With this partnership, Chicago Ideas Week will bring together the best and the brightest social innovators," said Brad Keywell, founder and chairman of Chicago Ideas Week. "Twenty years ago, Leslie had the progressive idea of creating a dynamic platform to make it easier for volunteers to find opportunities to give back with the creation of Chicago Cares. Given her success, Leslie was the ideal person to orchestrate a program designed to help support the next generation of socially conscious visionaries."

"As a social entrepreneur, I understand the positive impact that exposure and support can play in helping to grow an idea into a successful organization," said Leslie Bluhm. "Our goal is to provide these entrepreneurs with a platform to exchange ideas with established professionals in the field while broadening awareness and support of their organization."

Submissions for the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship can be entered online at www.chicagoideas.com/bhsi. Nominations will close on July 5, 2011 and the winners will be announced at the end of July.

About Chicago Ideas Week

Chicago Ideas Week is an annual seven-day celebration of ideas, innovation and community, with a focus on bringing the world's best speakers together with the Midwest's best thinkers. It is the platform for ideas, created for innovators, thinkers, doers and interested members of Chicago and the greater Midwest. CIW's goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish a community of people who have the desire to achieve great things. For more information, please visit www.chicagoideas.com.

About Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand

Leslie Bluhm and David Helfand have spent many years committed to making a positive impact through philanthropy in the Midwest, as well as nationally. Leslie is the founder of Chicago Cares, the largest volunteer service organization in the Midwest today. Leslie's ambition in creating the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship is to help grow and guide the next generation of socially minded entrepreneurs. David is the founder of Helix Funds, a private real estate investment management company with more than $2 billion in assets under management. David serves on the boards of the Field Museum, National Louis University and on the Executive Committee for the Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. His philanthropic focus is the advancement of education and entrepreneurship.

SOURCE Chicago Ideas Week