Be Fearless

Blog Post

by guest blogger: Max Wallace
We often say that Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure’s role is like that of Lewis and Clark — we go out into the wilderness, create new trails, and send back maps for others to follow. In our case, the wilderness is brain cancer. This year, our small...
by guest blogger: Gisli Olafsson
NetHope collaborates with 35 leading international humanitarian organizations to better serve the developing world through innovative technology and communications. Their focus is on five practice areas: Connectivity, Field Capacity Building,...
by guest blogger: Matt Repka
When I graduated college last year, like most of my peers, I was looking for the next step on my personal journey — a chance to be a part of something big, to make a difference in people’s lives. I found it — in a way I never would have expected. I...
by guest blogger: Chad Jeremy Davis
When I chose to serve in AmeriCorps NCCC as an out LGBT individual, it was a way for me to Be Fearless and “Reach Beyond My Bubble.” I served between January 2004 and December 2005 in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) at the...
by Sarah Koch
Congratulations to Meghana Rao and the Portland Junior Scientists team! More than 10,000 votes were cast during the Finding Fearless Fan Favorite Voting and after carefully reviewing all of the ballots submitted we are pleased to officially report...
Finding Fearless
by Jean Case
Today we are proud to announce the winners of Finding Fearless, our campaign to recognize, reward and inspire fearless changemakers nationwide, and a pillar of our Be Fearless initiative. We’re equally excited to kick off “Fan Favorite” voting,...
by guest blogger: Anita Yip
Despite my fear of heights, I found myself hanging off of the alpine tower challenge course out in the Berkshires as part of the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship's fall retreat. My muscles were taut from scaling the climbing wall and slowly working...
Kathryn Hanna
by guest blogger: Kathryn Hanna
I often find it challenging to explain to friends and family the exact nature of my work, and why it’s important. Sure, I can tell people that “every 26 seconds a student gives up on school in America.” I can throw out statistics like, “more than 50...
by The Case Foundation
44 thinkers, doers, and innovators. All of them with deeply inspiring stories of their journey to Be Fearless. All in one place, this coming weekend, for TEDxMidAtlantic. The Case Foundation is proud to be a Principal Partner for this special event...
AmeriCorps Alum logo
by guest blogger: Grace Andrews
I think up until this point, I’ve lived my life under the mantra of “doing what scares me most.” I learned this philosophy very early on from my missionary parents who emigrated to the U.S. from Ghana when I was almost five. Ever since then, I’ve...
Cathy Teoh with City Year students
by guest blogger: Cathy Teoh
Last year, I dedicated my life to service by joining City Year. City Year is an education-focused nonprofit that places 17 to 24-year-olds in inner city schools to act as tutors and mentors to keep students on track to graduate high school. Prior to...
Finding Fearless logo
by The Case Foundation
Update: This post has been updated from the original one. Please note the changes below. As you may have heard, we are currently searching for America's Most Fearless Changemakers! We need people to ask themselves… Did you make a big bet that paid...
Finding Fearless logo
by Jean Case
Update: We are pleased to announce that the Goldhirsh Foundation is joining us as a Supporting Partner for Finding Fearless. Their contribution means that there is up to $670,000 in grants and prizes available to the winners. Additionally, because...
TEDx MidAtlantic logo
by Jean Case
During the launch of our Be Fearless campaign in June, we were very pleased to announce that the Case Foundation would be a principal sponsor of  TEDxMidAtlantic 2012 and that the renowned gathering would focus on the theme “Be Fearless.” Today...
Marketing in the Round
by guest blogger: Geoff Livingston
I love Jean Case's Be Fearless campaign. In its own right, Be Fearless forces the uncomfortable, and makes us face our challenges directly and forging new ground. One area I am seeing this in our space is in the questions I am receiving...
by Gigaom
Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon in 1969, has died at the age of 82. We take a look back at his journey and some of the rare interviews he conducted.
Back to School sweepstakes
by Jenna Sauber
As students across the country head back to school and fill their backpacks with textbooks, classics, and more, we wanted to join in and celebrate some of the most fearless stories in literature. And – we want YOU to vote on your favorite fearless...
Over the Edge
by Michael Smith
While out casting our net to find fearless changemakers and organizations, a good friend of mine told me about her organization’s effort to take the term "be fearless" quite literally by sending Miami residents rapelling over the edge. This weekend...
Make failure matter
by Jean Case
It seems like there is a holiday for everything these days, and sure enough, we discovered a new one today: it’s National Failures Day. What is there to celebrate? Plenty! In our recent report “To Be Fearless” we outlined five key characteristics of...
by Getting Attention
Earlier this summer, we at the Case Foundation officially declared our intention to Be Fearless in our efforts to drive social change—with the hope that the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors would join us in a dialogue about how we can all embrace...
Special Olympics Volunteer George Srour
by guest blogger: Special Olympics
In June, we released what we believe are five elements to a fearless approach in solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, in our new website and report, “To Be Fearless.” We are asking people to take the pledge to Be Fearless in one (or...
Tim Harris
by guest blogger: Special Olympics
In June, we released what we believe are five elements to a fearless approach in solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, in our new website and report, “To Be Fearless.” We are asking people to take the pledge to Be Fearless in one (or...
Loretta Claiborne
by guest blogger: Special Olympics
In June, we released what we believe are five elements to a fearless approach in solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, in our new website and report, “To Be Fearless.” We are asking people to take the pledge to Be Fearless in one (or...
Sally Ride
by Jean Case
As we mark the passing of a pioneer, it’s important to reflect on the challenges that Dr. Sally Ride (May 26, 1951—July 23, 2012) rose to, and the shining example she set. Dr. Ride broke barriers and was an inspiration to millions, an adventurous...
Full Frame Initiative
by guest blogger: Katya Fels Smyth
In June, we released what we believe are five elements to a fearless approach in solving the world’s most pressing issues, in our new website and report, “To Be Fearless.” We are asking people to take the pledge to Be Fearless in one (or more!) of...
by guest blogger: NCoC (National Conference on Citizenship)
When we look at the history of our great country, seven key political leaders and statesmen stick out as exceptional leaders in their time: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George...
by Huffington Post
"Courageous Conversations" was the theme uniting the sessions throughout the agenda of the 11th annual Corporate Philanthropy Summit in New York City, hosted each year by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP). The audience of more...
by Talisman
I am always piqued by the Giving USA numbers. Statistics are always given in real value and then “adjusted for inflation” dollars. As far as I know donors and nonprofits are working on the dollars they have today, can spend/give today, cost of doing...
by The Case Foundation
As Father’s Day approaches, we all are starting to think of ways to recognize the men in our lives who have rejoiced in our triumphs, encouraged us to toughen up when the going got tough, and in some way or another, helped define the person we have...
by Stanford Social Innovation Review
The Case Foundation turns 15 this year, and we’ve been asking some critical questions: What led to transformative advances that changed the social sector? In a world plagued with old problems, what was behind the bright spots—new thinking, new...
by Allie Burns
If you’ve been following the Case Foundation in any of our communication outlets over the past few months—Facebook, Twitter, blog, meetings, etc.—you will know that we’ve been pretty excited about two words: Be Fearless. Well, today we go from...
by guest blogger: Ifdy Perez
Dreaming big, experimenting, and not fearing failure are part of what’s moved our civilization forward since mankind’s first breath. Social media has become a major conduit for change, an accessible platform that channels our progressive behavior—...
by Jean Case
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by Michael Smith
Earlier this year, inspired by the need to find new ways to tackle entrenched problems, our CEO Jean Case announced the Case Foundation’s intention to Be Fearless in all that we do. In the tradition of the some of the greatest social movements of...
by guest blogger: Diane Melley
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by Stacey Walker
Mother’s Day is meaningful because it allows us the opportunity to say thank you to our moms who have selflessly given so much of themselves over the years and encouraged us to be fearless—through  guidance, that extra nudge of encouragement to...
by Jean Case
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by Jean Case
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by The Case Foundation
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal...
by Jean Case
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by Chris Fowler
I've worked with or at the Case Foundation for more than five years now. And for the past six months, I've had the honor of being the Foundation's Director of Marketing and Partnerships. During that time, we've strengthened our partnership with...
by Jean Case
In our journey to Be Fearless and champion a fearless approach to tackling social challenges, the Case Foundation team will spotlight leading changemakers across sectors that have embraced fearlessness. Our spotlights will provide personal accounts...
by Jean Case
When we look at the state of the world today, we see a mixed picture. Rapid innovation in an increasingly connected society is transforming the way we work, play, and live. But we also see global economic woes, civic unrest, and political stalemates...

Infographic

by The Case Foundation
The Case Foundation's shares an infographic detailing highlights from our 1,200 plus submissions for Finding Fearless. Public voting is now open to decide who will win additional grants and prizes. Learn more about the leading city, state and...

Press Release

by drupal
Voting in Finding Fearless Campaign Begins Today, Asking Public to Select “Fan Favorite” Projects for Bonus Awards Today, the Case Foundation announced the 20 winners of Finding Fearless —a nationwide campaign to recognize, reward and inspire...

Video

by The Case Foundation
Exclusive highlights and behind the scenes images from TEDxMidAtlantic: Be Fearless. The Case Foundation, in partnership with TEDxMidAtlantic, gathered 41 thinkers, doers, and innovators in Washington, DC, on October 26 and 27, 2012, to share their...
by drupal
Laura Antrim Caskey speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She is an award-winning independent photojournalist based in Rock Creek, West Virginia. Caskey is known for her work Dragline, a self-published photojournalistic exposé, designed to educate...
by drupal
Freeman A. Hrabowski, III speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He has served as President of UMBC (The University of Maryland, Baltimore County) since 1992. His research and publications focus on science and math education, with special emphasis...
by drupal
Anna Lee speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic. Described as an "educator to the bone," Lee is a first generation Korean-American from the DC region. She believes that the human potential begins within the hands of a child. In 2010, she was appointed the...
by drupal
Exoneree plays live at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Mr. Dillon performs in the band Exoneree which is made up of musicians who have been wrongly convicted and freed through the Innocence Project. Their story is a powerful reminder of the...
by drupal
Classical Revolution plays at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Classical Revolution is built around the idea that performing live classical music can change communities. Founded in 2007 in San Francisco, the idea has spread all around the world. Rafaela...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Colin Powell speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Colin L. Powell was appointed Secretary of State by George W. Bush on January 20, 2001, after being unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He served for four years, leaving the position on...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Jessica Ladd speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Jessica Ladd is the founder of Sexual Health Innovations, an organization that uses technology to improve sexual health. SHI builds and rigorously evaluates tools that help empower people to make...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Lieutenant General Mark Phillip Hertling speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is the Commanding General, US Army Europe and Seventh Army. In that role, he is the commander of the approximately 42,000 U.S. Army forces assigned to Europe, and he...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Jordan Evans speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic. He is the Engineering Development and Operations Manager for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) "Curiosity" rover project at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Since 2006, in both his current role and prior role...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Cameron Russell speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Cameron has spent the last decade posing as a supermodel. Occasionally she writes about grassroots public art and political power, and experiments with making art for the internet and the street...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Kakenya Ntaiya speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Kakenya was set to follow the traditional path of all girls born in the small village of Enoosaen, Kenya. Engaged at the age of 5, she was to be circumcised by the time she became a teenager. But...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Dr. Theo Colborn speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Theo is Founder and President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), based in Paonia, Colorado, and Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She is an...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Alec Ross speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Alec is Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a role created for him that blends technology with diplomacy. As Secretary Clinton's "tech guru," Ross is leading the State...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Jaison Morgan speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. Jaison is the Managing Principal of The Common Pool and Co-Founder of RAMPIT Software. He's been recognized by the BBC as "the world's expert" in designing incentives to drive innovative...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Loretta Claiborne's story is remarkable — from Special Olympian to inspiring speaker and advocate for others. Her work has ranged from supporting people with disabilities to working to help end bullying. In 2000, Walt Disney Productions created The...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Alessandro Acquisti speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is an associate professor at the Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University, a soundtrack composer, and a former motorcycle racer. Alessandro’s research investigates the economics of...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Geoff Tracy speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He graduated from Georgetown University from 1995 with a degree in theology. He then went on to graduate first in his class at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Geoff opened...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Jason Seiken speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is Senior Vice President of PBS Interactive and oversees PBS’ award-winning new media services, including pbs.org, pbskids.org, pbskidsgo.org, and the PBS mobile products, such as PBS for the...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick is an American-born soprano. She has performed in opera houses and concert halls across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Charity is also a survivor of a double lung transplant, which she received at the Cleveland...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Adrian Bejan is most recently the author of “Design in Nature: How the Constructal Law Governs Evolution in Biology, Physics, Technology, and Social Organization.” Bejan pioneered numerous original methods in science, including the constructal law...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Barbara Van Dahlen, named to TIME magazine’s 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the founder and president of Give an Hour. Concerned about the mental health implications of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Van Dahlen...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, is the Founder and Director of the Center for Connected Health, creating a new model of healthcare delivery, by developing innovative strategies to move care from the hospital or doctor’s office into the day-to-day lives of...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Dr. Gulati speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Product Innovation for Physicians Interactive Holdings, where he leads a world-class team to ideate, design, build, and deploy game-changing...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Marci Harris speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She left a career on Capitol Hill in February 2010 to build POPVOX, a neutral, nonpartisan platform for civic engagement and legislative information. Launched in January 2011, POPVOX has delivered...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Paula Kahumbu speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She is the executive director of the Kenya Land Conservation Trust and WildlifeDirect, and chairman of the Friends of Nairobi National Park. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kahumbu entered into...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Silvia Helena Barcellos speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She is an Associate Economist at RAND Corporation, Santa Monica Office. Her labor economics research includes works on the economic causes and consequences of immigration to the United...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Sage Salvo speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is the creator of Words Liive, an innovative literary arts program that aims to elevate the lyrical genius in hip-hop lyrics through a literary analysis which pairs historical poetry with the...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Brian Conley speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is director of Small World News and has been involved in media literacy and media democracy work for more than 10 years and has trained journalists and citizen media makers in a dozen countries...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Darell Hammond speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is the Founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, a not-for-profit based in Washington, DC, dedicated to saving play by making sure there is a great place to play within walking distance of every child in...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Erica Saben speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She began performing on professional stages at the age of 12. She has been a tightwire instructor at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts since its inception, and is the founder and director of...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Frances Hesselbein speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She is one of the most highly respected experts in the field of contemporary leadership development, and is the President and CEO of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, founded as...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Jack Andraka speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is a 15 year old freshman at North County High School and lives in Crownsville, Maryland. He recently developed a novel paper sensor that could detect pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer in...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Maria Bello speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. She is an internationally renowned actor and women’s rights activist and the co-founder of We Advance (www.weadvance.org). We Advance is a women’s movement and NGO based in Cite Soleil, Haiti. The...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Dr. Mario Livio speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is an astrophysicist at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), the institute which conducts the scientific program of the Hubble Space Telescope. He has published more than 400...
by TEDxMidAtlantic
Billy Shore speaks at TEDxMidAtlantic Be Fearless. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit that is working to end childhood hunger in America. Shore founded Share Our Strength in 1984 with his...
by The Case Foundation
On October 26-27, 2012, the Case Foundation was a principal partner for TEDx MidAtlantic in Washington, DC, with the theme of Be Fearless. For the first time ever, this renowned event will took place over two days, featuring Jose Antonio Vargas,...
by The Case Foundation
The Case Foundation launched the Be Fearless campaign in June of 2012. Take a look at how people throughout history have embodied the principles of Be Fearless to achieve so many great accomplishments because we take risks, are bold, and let urgency...
by The Case Foundation
Since it was formed in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics has given four million people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to showcase their talents in 180 countries. Under Tim's leadership as CEO and Chairman, Special...
by The Case Foundation
The Case Foundation asked several leading changemakers about their moments of fearlessness within their organizations. What does it mean to be fearless? Who or what inspired them? What is their advice to others looking to be fearless?
by The Case Foundation
In 2012 and beyond, inspired by the challenges we face and the opportunities we are afforded, we're officially declaring our intention to Be Fearless in all that we do ... in our approach to philanthropy, social change, and social good. On June...
by The Case Foundation
In 2012 and beyond, inspired by the challenges we face and the opportunities we are afforded, we're officially declaring our intention to Be Fearless in all that we do ... in our approach to philanthropy, social change, and social good — and we hope...
by Partnership at DrugFree.org
Addiction affects us all, you are not alone.
by Case Foundation
  The Case Foundation interviews Max Wallace, CEO of Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, about Fearlessness in this special series called "Fearless Focus." #befearless Learn more at www.CaseFoundation.org/befearless.
by Spread the Word to End the Word
"Not Acceptable" is a powerful and compelling 30 second public service announcement which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now...
by Global Health Media Project
  A short animated film produced by the Global Health Media Project http://globalhealthmedia.org in collaboration with Yoni Goodman http://yonigoodman.com. This film makes visible the invisible cholera germs as a young boy shows how to help the...
by Guest Blogger
We recently spoke with Ned Breslin, Chief Executive Officer of (Case Foundation grantee) Water for People. Ned strongly believes that conventional approaches to water supply and sanitation are not scalable or sustainable – helping some but not...
by Invisible People
  Nearly three years ago I took a big risk and drove up to Sacramento to help empower our homeless friends after watching the circus created by Oprah. At the time, I was nineteen months unemployed. InvisiblePeople.tv just started, and driving...
by Guest Blogger
The Case Foundation interviews Doug Holladay, CEO of Buxton Initiative and PathNorth, about Fearlessness in this special series called "Fearless Focus." #befearless
by Case Foundation
  The Case Foundation interviews Scott Case, CEO of Startup America Partnership, about Fearlessness in this special series called "Fearless Focus." #befearless Learn more at www.CaseFoundation.org/befearless.