“Civic Ventures, a think tank and program incubator helping society achieve the greatest return on experience, announced 15 finalists for its first-ever Purpose Prize, a major new initiative to invest in Americans over 60 who are leading a new age of social innovation. The finalists - including a social worker, former mayor, farmer and car salesman - reveal the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences that those over 60 bring to the task of solving some of society’s most pressing problems in what used to be called the retirement years.”

“As the first of America’s 77 million baby boomers turn 60 this year, The Purpose Prize finalists are doing what society least expects people over 60 to do: innovate,” said Marc Freedman, founder and President of Civic Ventures. “These men and women - some national figures, some local heroes - disprove the assumption that innovation is the province of the young and show us the essence of what’s possible in an aging society…. More than just a set of hands, today’s boomers and older Americans represent an extraordinary pool of social and human capital. These inspiring innovators will show that investing in social entrepreneurs in the second half of life yields unprecedented returns for society.”

The Purpose Prize will award each finalist at least $10,000 (there are 15 of them). In addition, five finalists will win $100,000 each in September.

For a summary of the nominees’ efforts, click here.