Fuel grants $1,000 to local conservation initiative

Fuel sparks ideas into action. A program created by Give Back Cincinnati in 2009, Fuel provides an entry point for emerging leaders to access resources to assist in launching their dynamic ideas in the Greater Cincinnati region. Beyond funding, Fuel connects local dreamers with community leaders and support systems to bring their ideas to fruition.

The first $1,000 Fuel grant was recently awarded to an initiative titled Conservatunes. A music-oriented concept, Conservatunes intends to gather people to promote conservation awareness in the Cincinnati area. Local bands will serve as a backdrop for a fun, social atmosphere for local conservation agencies to share information regarding their different causes with hopes of increasing the potential for public awareness and participation.

The idea for Conservatunes was dreamed up by Nyssa Darter, a Give Back Cincinnati committee member and a student studying for her Masters in Zoology at Miami University. Interested in conservation, Nyssa saw country music stars on TV donating 25 cents from their concert tickets to organizations; she thought it would be great to take on the same initiative on a smaller level.

"I wondered how I could gather people interested in seeing a concert and have it benefit my community and conservation organizations. I just started rambling about it when I was in Baja in June for a global field study program and then realized, maybe this is a good idea," said Darter.

The event was held at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park on Saturday, October 16, benefitting seven local conservation organizations: Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Green Acres, Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, Land Conservancy of Cincinnati, the UC office of Sustainability, Building Value and Parting Pooches. Suggested donations of $10 went to the organizations, as well as proceeds from vendors, Go Ahead Bake My Day and Creations by Melody. They hope to make the event an annual affair.

"Fuel is unique because generally, you cannot give grants to individuals. It's difficult for a young professional to weave through the process of becoming a nonprofit," says Beth Gottfried, communication chair of Fuel. "We chose the Conservatunes initiative to blend music and passion for conversation because it's a subject many young professionals are interested in and we wanted to support something that would have a great impact on the Cincinnati community."

For hyper passionate Cincinnatians in the age range of 18 to 40 with an idea that could use some fuel, visit the website. Visit the site and submit your spark for an opportunity to earn a grant up to $2,000.

Give Back Cincinnati will be holding leadership recruitment events for all of their activities and committees on October 19, 21 & 30.  The next Fuel grant kick off meeting will be held on December 2 for idea generators to learn more about the on-going grant process. 

Writer: Rene Brunelle