...the 15 finalists for the 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 notion that innovation is the province of the young and show us the essence of what���s possible in an aging society.��� In addition to the 15 finalists, Civic Ventures named 55 Purpose Prize Fellows, all leaders in the movement to invent new ways to solve society���s toughest challenges. Finalists and Fellows have all been invited to an Innovation Summit, Sept. 7-10 at the Stanford Center for Social Innovation. Sherry Lansing, chair of The Purpose Prize jury, CEO of the Sherry Lansing Foundation and former chair of Paramount Pictures��� Motion Picture Group, said, ���Unlike a lifetime achievement award, the Purpose Prize is a critical investment in what these creative individuals will do next to solve important problems. As Bill Gates said, ���It���s not about retiring, it���s about reordering your priorities.������ Two foundations, the Atlantic Philanthropies and The John Templeton Foundation, provided funding to Civic Ventures for the Prize. Read the full news release here » DOWNLOAD THE PDF: Meet the Finalists for the 2006 Purpose Prize »