The Blackstone Charitable Foundation recently announced it awarded $1 million through its annual effort to support entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the United States. The foundation is currently engaged in a five-year initiative to promote innovation as a strategy to jumpstart economic activity and foster job growth. 

For instance, a pilot program at Arizona State University was one of the nine organizations selected for this award. It received $145,000 to support area entrepreneurs at the startup stage. However, the model breaks from the ordinary with its focus on areas of untapped talent, including professionals who lost their jobs during the recent recession, retired individuals and veterans. 

Another program that received funding was the Pacific Community Ventures (PCV), which was awarded $130,000 for its Remote Business Advising Platform. This system offers entrepreneurs around the world automated access to PCV's already successful program, which provides tailored support to new business owners.  

Other recipients include The Idea Village in New Orleans, Nashville-based Launch Tennessee, New York City's Learning through an Expanded Arts Program, Inc., StartX from Palo Alto, San Francisco's Tumml, Venture for America and the Washington, D.C.-based United Negro College Fund. 

Organizations that are looking to raise funds through grant opportunities or local campaigns can use nonprofit financial management solutions to improve their chances of success. The software can help program leaders identify potential donors and send out applications with accurate accounting information.