Acceleration Services
Providing social change startups the technical, structural, and strategic support they need to get started and grow.
Trying to change the world? We can help.
We provide the expertise and infrastructure to turn ideas into real world change.
162 philanthropic partners and $38 million raised
33 startups spanning 16 issues
7 million people taking 35 million actions
A history of making history
Net Neutrality Saved2015
A huge public and political outcry leads to FCC approval for new Net Neutrality rules that give Internet users stronger protections.
Tech Giants Drop ALEC2014
A multi-year multi-layered campaign convinces key tech players, including Facebook, Google, and EBay, to stop supporting the climate change-denying lobbying group.
VAWA Reauthorized2013
Over 100,000 people participate in online, in person, and media actions that motivate Congress to pass an expanded and improved Violence Against Women Act.
DACA Enacted2012
A strategic use of media, online education, and coordinated actions push forward a policy exempting eligible U.S. immigrants’ children from deportation.
SOPA & PIPA Defeated2012
A historic internet “blackout” helps shut down two Congressional bills that would have significantly limited internet freedom.
Glen Beck Off Fox2011
Faced with nationwide protest over Glenn Beck's racist comments, Fox News drops him from their lineup.
Don't Ask Don't Tell repealed2010
Working with a wide range of allies, GetEqual helped ensure the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on gay and lesbian service members went straight into the dustbin of history.
Trail of Dreams gets national exposure2010
Four young undocumented immigrants walk 1500-miles from Miami to Washington, D.C. building a national following, meeting with top leaders, and gaining widespread coverage in the English and Spanish press.
CNN Drops Lou Dobbs2009
A targeted campaign with millions of participants successfully pressures CNN to stop serving as an outlet for Lou Dobbs' anti-immigrant platform.
Stellar's ideas are huge and our approach is unconventional. Our work ranges from complex technology to international financial literacy. At CEL, we found the team we need to help us hone and communicate our vision, and the expertise to execute our mission.
As a pioneer in using new media and technology to advance meaningful social change, CEL has long had our support.
CEL made it possible for us to build our ship while sailing. We were able to simultaneously raise resources, prove a new organizing model, and build our membership. CEL made that possible in a way that no other organization could.
CEL has long been a valued partner to Color of Change. They continue to help us connect to new technologies and ideas for collaborative campaigns. It’s great that someone is playing this role for the field.
Working with CEL has enabled me to experiment with different projects and change the landscape of cultural organizing. CEL is the one place a social innovator like me can really call home.