On Dec. 4,
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation,
People’s Liberty,
Soapbox and its parent company,
Issue Media Group, will host the second-annual IDEALAB civic-brainstorming conference.
This year's event,
IDEALAB Movement Makers, will feature presentations by innovators in the markets of Detroit, Minneapolis and Cleveland, as well as Greater Cincinnati, which has become known as an innovation hotspot, especially in the startup world.
Traditionally, foundations have used a grant application process with awards going to nonprofit organizations. Two years ago, the Haile Foundation decided to change that model and established People's Liberty to instead award grants to individuals.
Funding creative individuals is not a new concept — the
MacArthur Foundation has been awarding “genius grants” for 30 years — but the People’s Liberty model is different. Unlike MacArthur fellows, who receive a five-year, non-project-specific, no-strings-attached award, People’s Liberty provides grants to individuals or small groups of collaborators to carry out a specific project. In addition, People’s Liberty provides support for its grantees throughout the course of the funding period, including work space, access to local and national connections and assistance in skill-building.
“We like to say that we’re in the business of developing people,” says Megan Trischler of People's Liberty. “It’s not necessarily about programs or projects — those are byproducts.”
The idea behind IDEALAB
At IDEALAB, keynote speakers representing
Detroit City FC,
Springboard for the Arts and
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress will share how their organizations are bringing about change and starting movements within their communities.
In addition to highlighting these homegrown initiatives, this year's IDEALAB will allow attendees the chance to participate in mini breakout sessions, facilitated by Cincinnati leaders. Attendees will have the chance to share ideas, struggles and solutions.
“There’s always this desire to be more than just an observer and really participate in something," Trischler says. "We’re going to have these bright people all interested in what’s happening here, so we’re going to leverage their minds and get them inspired and influence their work.”
Similar to last year's IDEALAB events, Over-the-Rhine will provide home base; all of the action will take place at Memorial Hall. Attendees with cars are encouraged to park in the Washington Park or CET/Central Parkway garages, or take the Cincinnati Bell Connector from 21c Museum Hotel.
Following the day-long event, attendees will enjoy professional networking with a cash bar.
Registration for the event is $50, which includes morning presentations, lunch, afternoon workshops and refreshments. Funders, innovators, community activists, nonprofit organizations, students, urbanists and social entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend.
IDEALAB: Movement Makers is presented by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, People’s Liberty, Issue Media Group and Soapbox Media with support from Procter & Gamble, Xavier Center for Innovation, Memorial Hall and media sponsor Movers & Makers.