I received word yesterday that nominations are now open for the 2007 Purpose Prize, an award the recognizes innovation among older social innovators as well as a new award honoring nonprofits and public sector agencies that use innovative ways of employing people over 50, the MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award. Nominations for both prizes are due by February 1st, 2007.

Here is what they say about the Purpose Prize:

Every day nearly 8,000 baby boomers turn 60. This past September, anticipating this huge demographic shift and what it could mean for our country, Civic Ventures announced the first winners of The Purpose Prize-- five $100,000 and ten $10,000 investments in Americans over 60 whose creativity, talent and experience is transforming the way our nation addresses critical social problems. Dozens of other innovators received national recognition for their work.

Go here for more information on the Purpose Prize or here for the metlife Foundation /Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award.