In 2005, Durham community leader Henry McKoy convened a group of likeminded individuals to discuss the increasing role of social innovation in The Triangle.  By fall 2008 the group transitioned from discussion to action.  They raised money for local consultants to create a community map of local organizations and a best practice analysis of community development initiatives around the world focused on promoting social innovation.  After completing a gap analysis, they concluded that there is a robust social innovation community in The Triangle but it lacks cohesion, common programming space, ready access to talent and capital, and recognition as an important driver of economic growth in the region.

A set of recommendations emerged, centered on the creation of a social innovation campus in downtown Durham.  This campus would serve as the hub of a cohesive movement – with “spokes” emanating into every corner of the community to engage a diverse range of stakeholders in activities and programs designed to intentionally and dramatically accelerate social innovation in the region.

In Fall 2009, a diverse group of city leaders stepped forward with a $100,000 planning grant to invest in this vision under the new name of Bull City Forward.  In January 2010 BCF convened a 20-person executive committee and strategic working groups comprising over 150 citizens and community leaders.  They began a three-month process that culminated in recommendations within each of their respective eight topic areas: Individual Development, Organizational Development, Campus Build-out, Policy and Advocacy, Recruitment and Retention, Investment and Scale-Up, Impact Measurement, and Outreach and Communications.