About:

Germination Project

What is the Germination Project?

Founded in 2014, the Germination Project is a convening platform for emerging and influential leaders to curate a better future for the Greater Philadelphia region by developing solutions to endemic social and civic challenges facing Philadelphia and beyond.

As a convening platform for disruptive thinkers, doers, futurists, philanthropists, civic activists, and innovators, we empower leaders to pressure power into social action, to challenge the status quo, and to improve the lot of the disenfranchised, the discriminated-against, and the less-well-off.

Our independence from both he private and public sectors and the customers and voters who empower them adds to the richness and complexity of the diverse and multigenerational polyarchy we empower, serving the wider public interest as both effective critics, when needed, and counterweights to both governments and the for-profits, as appropriate.

What is our Vision and Mission?

Our Mission is to systematically address the root causes of social and civic challenges over the long term, as opposed to merely ameliorating their symptoms, and to catalyze Philadelphia’s emerging and influential leaders to advance innovation, uplift communities, improve lives, and tackle society’s greatest challenges. Our leadership platform enables a broad and diverse network of makers, doers, and thought leaders to convert insights and experiences into sustainable solutions for our region’s endemic challenges.

How do we deploy our mission?

We deploy our mission through 3 stand-alone and synergistic initiatives: (1) the Germination Fellowship, a long-term leadership incubator for emerging leaders who are dedicated to solving endemic issues over a lifetime as Germination Project Fellows, (2) Vision 20/20, a year long initiative tasking 20 influential leaders in the Philadelphia region to deliver 20 solutions, big or small, that tackle a chronic issue plaguing Philadelphia, and (3) the Ten Program, a year long training program to help young Philadelphians discover their hidden potential for leadership through a combination of self-discovery and a comprehensive study of various leadership theories.

What core beliefs inform our philosophy and strategy?:

  1. We believe large scale ideas germinate over long periods of time, influenced by many actors, and that compromise and coalition building are critical for acceptance and adoption of region-wide ideas and policies.

  2. We believe failure to create space for new skills, new theories, new science and new technologies will stagnate Philadelphia even further.

  3. We believe few lead many and the impact from their collective output will outlive us.

  4. We believe diverse and multi-generational leaders who hold a rainbow of voices on important social policy and civic issues will move our region into the forefront of evolving social change.

  5. We believe a diverse and multigenerational polyarchy injects stability in social activism, promoting gradual and constructive evolution rather than sudden revolution, ensuring a check against radical pressure to destroy institutions to address immediate problems.