The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance recently hosted the third-annual TEDxBYU event and the Social Innovator of the Year Award banquet as part of its jam-packed Ballard Week.

Sponsored by the Ballard Center, graduate students created innovative solutions for Newman's Own Foundation.

The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance presented Kushal Chakrabarti, founder and co-chair of Vittana, with the 2013 Social Innovator of the Year Award.

Growing an innovative business idea to help people around the world has never been easier. That’s due to the Social Venture Competition and the Social Venture Academy — two Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance programs specifically designed to guide students in making a positive impact.

The Students for Social Entrepreneurship, a program in The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance, has joined forces with Vittana — a company that sets up loans for students in developing countries who need a hand up in furthering education.

How can you work smarter and not harder to make large-scale changes in the world? Everyone has limited time and resources. Consider certain questions prior to partnering with an organization that aims to have a positive societal impact.

It's now easier than ever to make a positive impact on the world, thanks to Changemaker Week — an event hosted October 15 – 19 by the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance.

Brigham Young University has been designated a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U. Ashoka U, a subset of the international nonprofit organization Ashoka, is an initiative set forth to promote social entrepreneurship in universities. BYU was named for its ability to produce influential students who make a difference on a local and a global stage. Nineteen universities, including BYU, around the world are honored with this status.

The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance has named Brigham Young University professors Chris Mattson and David Wiley as research fellows in the Peery Social Entrepreneurship program. As fellows, Mattson and Wiley will apply their expertise in research and innovations within the field of social entrepreneurship.

Solving global problems might seem daunting, but the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance is stepping up to the challenge by providing a way to help experts create breakthroughs in specific fields.

This year's Social Venture Competition attracted students focused on improving lives through sustainable businesses around the world. Sponsored by the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance, the eighth annual competition encouraged participants to enter ventures addressing social problems.

The Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance recently presented the Social Innovator of the Year award to David Bornstein, an author and New York Times journalist who reports on high impact solutions for social problems around the world.

The event that took Brigham Young University's campus by storm last year returned in 2012 just as strong. This year's TEDxBYU conference was jam-packed with inspiring speakers, a webcast and an energetic crowd.

Graduate students from across the country gathered at Brigham Young University to create solutions for problems facing social organizations in the second annual Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship Case Competition.

A group of Brigham Young University finance students are finding unique ways to use their investing skills while helping those in poverty worldwide.

Two international educators will continue to bring their innovative expertise to Brigham Young University as newly named fellows for the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance.

Social innovators usually focus their attention on foreign countries. But for at least one Brigham Young University student participating in the Peery Film Festival, social innovation is just as important domestically.

The buzz around social innovation and entrepreneurship is growing as the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance welcomes seven faculty members to its fellows program.

Inc. magazine recently featured three former Brigham Young University students and their composting company, EcoScraps, as part of a report on innovative social entrepreneurs.

According to finalists at the 2011 Social Venture Competition, solving a few of the world's problems is possible — use tutoring, technology and tilapia. The competition, hosted by the Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance, challenged students to create innovative solutions to social concerns, such as those in education, volunteering and agriculture, and honored finalists with more than $50,000.