A giving group of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is once again looking for the next big idea that will benefit the community.
For the second year, the Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy group will provide a grant of $50,000 as seed funding for an idea that could provide positive change in the community, said Michelle Ptack, development associate for the community foundation. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 15.
John Houseal, part of the core committee that founded ELP, said they’re looking for the idea to be transformative, affect both Oak Park and River Forest and be sustainable beyond the first year.
The core committee dreamed up the program, Ptack said, “and it kind of caught on like wildfire.”
Houseal said absolutely anyone — from elementary-age children to seniors — is welcome to submit an idea, and if an applicant isn’t already affiliated with a not-for-profit organization, ELP can connect that person with a not-for-profit to utilize grant money.
“I mean, everything is on the table,” Houseal said. “We want the idea to come from anybody who has an idea.”
ELP, a group of almost 40 business leaders, contributes to fund the grant and will make up the panel that chooses the winning idea, Ptack said.
Last year was the first for the program, and 39 big ideas were put forth. The Surplus Project, which connected the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry with Rush Oak Park Hospital to redirect surplus cafeteria food, was chosen as the winner; it’s since grown to include Oak Park River Forest High School and the Oak Park Township as well.
Houseal praised the Surplus Project, noting that it continues to grow. He said ELP provides an opportunity for local small business owners to come together and make a significant difference.
“That’s sort of the super-charged nature of this,” he said.
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“I think the idea of community giving is something that’s becoming more popular,” Ptack said. The core committee “saw that if they were able to put funding behind it, they could make transformative change in the community.”
Applicants will be notified Dec. 9. On Feb. 22, 2017, at the Wire in Berwyn, finalists will pitch their ideas to the ELP panel, and the winner will be chosen in real time, Ptack said.
Ptack said they were pleased with the number of ideas pitched last year, but they would like to see more people attend the pitch party.
“I think what we’re hoping for is more engagement from the community,” Ptack said.
Those interested can find out more from the Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave. For more information, visit www.oprfcf.org/entrepreneur-leaders.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.