The White House has for the first time publicly outlined the mission of its new Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.

In a press release to announce President Obama’s plan to propose $50-million for a Social Innovation Fund in fiscal year 2010, it said the office will:

• Promote partnerships between the government and nonprofit groups, businesses, and philanthropists to make progress on the president’s policy agenda.

• Identify and support the rigorous evaluation and expansion of innovative, promising ideas that are transforming communities — like, for example, Harlem Children’s Zone, YouthVillages, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Citizen Schools.

• Support greater civic participation through new-media tools.

• Promote national service.

The office is headed by Sonal Shah, former head of global development at Google.org, who discussed its plans at a recent Global Philanthropy Forum.