For the third year in a row, a giving group of the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation is looking for an innovative idea that will benefit the community in a big way.
Through the end of November, ideas are being sought for The Big Idea contest, which seeks a transformative idea that puts the Oak Park and River Forest community on the map nationally.
One winner will be chosen to receive a $50,000 seed grant from the Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy, which is a group of about 40 local business leaders who fund the annual grant and choose the winning idea.
“We are very interested to see what people come up with, frankly, and that’s part of the enjoyment of it,” said Tom Garvey, a member of the ELP and retired founder of a telecommunications consulting business.
More than 60 ideas have been submitted over two rounds of The Big Idea. Past winners include The Surplus Project, which repurposes surplus food from local cafeterias to feed those in need, and The Rescue Foundation, which aims to help those with criminal records find work and connect them with employers.
“We want to see that the impact is widespread,” said Rhea Yap, the community foundation’s director of funding and donor development. “They want big ideas, but they also want measurable and big results.”
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The ELP is looking for out-of-the-box ideas, she said, and proposals are welcome from all: nonprofits, business owners or individuals, young or old, simply looking to make a difference. Yap noted the committee would like to see more age diversity among applicants.
Now that a website has been created and the framework is in place to connect ex-offenders with potential employers, Garvey said The Rescue Foundation hopes to get some new large employers in Oak Park on board with the concept. Yap said 11 companies had signed up with the foundation as of September.
Village Trustee Deno Andrews is behind The Rescue Foundation and owns Oak Park restaurant Felony Franks, which Andrews has said has seen success with training and hiring ex-offenders.
This year, Yap said they’ve added a tool that offers an idea canvas so applicants can flesh out their plan before submitting.
“We’re trying to provide a little more guidance or help as applicants prepare applications,” she said, adding that ELP members will again offer idea coaching as well. “Regardless if they win or lose, you’re going to get something out of the process.”
Although it’s tough for ELP members to settle on one idea that deserves the grant money — Garvey noted there’s “certainly rigorous debate” — the group comes together to choose and support the winner, he said.
As a member and donor, “it’s a very satisfying experience,” Garvey added.
Finalists for The Big Idea will be announced in mid-December. Presentations will be made and a winner will be selected March 7, 2018, during a pitch party and reception event at Wire in Berwyn.
For more information or to submit an application, visit www.oprfcf.org.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.