Do you have big dreams for your community? The Case Foundation is launching a pilot grants program that could turn these dreams into reality. This could be particularly helpful to those of us with "service-learning dreams" for our schools and community.
The Make It Your Own Awards™ , a new initiative from the Case Foundation, launching on June 26, 2007, is about giving grants, tools, and recognition to people who are coming together to discuss what matters, form solutions, and take action. Twenty semi-finalists will each receive $10,000 grants to start bringing their ideas to life. Four final grant recipients will then be chosen by the public using an online voting system. These finalists will each be awarded an additional $25,000 grant.
The Make It Your Own Awards came about in response to research showing that many people feel disconnected from public leaders and institutions and don’t believe they have the power to make a real difference in their community. These findings were the reason for a paper released by the Case Foundation last fall, Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement, suggesting that if people are actually going to become and stay engaged in their communities, one thing has to happen first: they must have more chances to connect with one another (including those with whom they might disagree), and figure out how they can work together for the common good.
This kind of “citizen-centered” approach represents a subtle, yet powerful, shift that encourages people to create new spaces where they can come together, become connected to each other, and make a difference as a community working toward a common vision and real action.
All applicants welcome, ages 14 and up.
Application deadline: August 8th.
Visit the Make It Your Own website to learn more and apply today!
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