Three innovators who will use unique approaches to tackle deeply-rooted social and economic issues were named to the inaugural class of Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellows. Fellows have the opportunity to change the world in one year with $100,000, an office space in New York City and support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, a social change focused philanthropy.

The three fellows are Saqib Bhatti, who will work to rebalance the debate around municipal budget cuts in the United States; Margot Brandenburg, who will help incubate for-profit enterprises that seek to create positive social and environmental impact; and Andrew Slack, who will harness the energy of fans of popular stories toward activism and civic engagement.

The New York-based Nathan Cummings Foundation launched the new Fellowship program to give money and infrastructure to three visionary ideas that address issues relating to social or economic justice in the core program areas of the foundation including protecting ecological balance for future generations; promoting humane and accessible health care; fostering art and culture that enriches communities; and supporting efforts that define the work of Jewish social justice in the United States and open debates to thinking on Israel. The Fellowship was announced in July of last year. The three 2013 fellows were selected from a group of eight finalists. The fellows will begin their projects in the summer of 2013.