Today social change agents are operating in an environment where dynamic relationships among old and new, government and philanthropy, social entrepreneurs and school districts, and policy makers and nonprofit leaders are showing signs of a new openness to the principles of effectiveness and results. At the 2010 Gathering participants celebrated the catalyzing development of a dynamic relationship between government and innovative social entrepreneurs.

While bridges between social entrepreneurs and government emerged during the past several decades, significant progress has occurred only in recent years. This high-level timeline beginning in 1990 and ending early 2010 highlights the growing momentum realized in bridging the worlds of social innovation and policy.