Big Idea Competition Open Again

Do you have an idea to positively change the community of Oak Park and/or River Forest?

Have you ever said to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or classmate, “What this community really needs is… ”?

Are you looking for seed funding to launch your idea for community change?

A giving group established by the Oak Park - River Forest Community Foundation, Entrepreneur Leaders in

Philanthropy (ELP), will make a seed grant up to $50,000 for a transformative idea. Through a competitive process, the aim is to make our community the best place to live for generations to come.

The call for entries is open now through November 15th. Those who are interested have two opportunities to meet with Entrepreneur Leaders to get more information: October 4 - 5:30 pm. at the Oak Park Public Library; and October 25-5:30 pm. at the River Forest Public Library. Finalists selected will pitch their Big Idea in a 5-10 minute presentation to the ELP panel at the Big Idea Pitch Party on February 22, 2017 at the Wire in Berwyn. The winning Big Idea will be selected and announced live at this event.

Last year, 39 big ideas came forth in response to the call for The Big Idea. The Surplus Project won! The Surplus Project started as a collaboration between The Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry with Rush Oak Park Hospital to alleviate hunger in the OPRF community by redirecting surplus cafeteria food to those who needed it. The Project now includes Oak Park Township and Oak Park-River Forest High School and is able to provide surplus food to a greater number of those who have experienced food insecurity.

Although only one idea will receive a $50,000 grant on February 22, new ideas will surface, take shape, and possibly gain traction in future years. For example, several of last year’s finalists’ ideas have been refined and implemented by other organizations.

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation exists to help all community members determine how they want to make a difference in the world. One way the Foundation does this is through giving groups such as Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy. Collective giving opportunities provide greater resources in support of a vibrant and sustainable future.

Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy brings together business leaders, each contributing $2,500 toward a fund of $100,000, being used in part to fund a Big Idea that could transform Oak Park and River Forest .

For more about the Big Idea, see http:/www.oprfcf.org/entrepreneur-leaders or call Rhea Yap at 708-848-1560.