Case Foundation Names Top 100 Ideas for Make It Your Own Awards(TM)

4,641 PEOPLE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS, representING EVERY STATE AND A

DIVERSITY OF BACKGROUNDS



20 FINALISTS TO BE SELECTED IN February 2008

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Case Foundation has
 announced the selection of 100 breakthrough ideas for the Make It Your Own
 Awards, a new grants program that aims to increase and strengthen citizen
 involvement in communities and introduce a more inclusive and innovative
 approach to foundation grant making. The Top 100 ideas were selected from
 4,641 applications received from every state in the country, an encouraging
 sign that people across the United States want to engage their communities
 in action. Projects were evaluated not only on their subject matter, but on
 the strength of the idea as an example of citizen-centered change.
 
     "Response to this program has been wonderful and we hope it's an
 indicator that now, more than ever, people want to work together, discuss
 together, and act together to develop solutions to challenges facing their
 communities," Case Foundation Social Investment Manager Michael Smith said.
 "Now, we will begin to work directly with these 100 semifinalists to refine
 and promote their ideas so they can realize their projects' full
 potential."
 
     The applications represent the stories of people across the country who
 are interested in working with others in their communities. Many of these
 stories come from people who are new to the grant seeking process--56
 percent of those participating said this was the first time they had
 submitted an online grant application. Applications came from all 50
 states; nearly 40 percent were from minorities; and 38 percent were from
 individuals aged 25 to 44, while 10 percent were from 14- to 24-year-olds.
 One-quarter of all applications came from people older than 55.
 
     The Make it Your Own initiative was also designed to show people how
 using online tools can help make their ideas a reality. All applicants now
 have a webpage detailing their project and a customized online fundraising
 tool, commonly called a "widget," based on their application. The widget
 and webpage will allow them to promote their project, spread their idea
 across the Internet, fundraise in support of their effort, and recruit
 others who share their passion.
 
     Top 100 applicants will also all have their own webpage--linked from
 the Case Foundation website--where the public can read their applications,
 view new content, such as user-generated videos and photos, and comment on
 project diaries. The Top 100 can be found on the Case Foundation website at
 www.CaseFoundation.org.
 
     The Top 100, whose online fundraising efforts will be jump-started with
 $100 from the Case Foundation, will now have an opportunity to refine their
 application and collaborate with others to begin promoting their idea in
 public. Each will also receive coaching from a community engagement
 professional hired by the Case Foundation to help further improve and
 develop applicant ideas and the logistics around getting them implemented.
 
     In February 2008, the top 20 finalists will be selected by a panel of
 judges and awarded $10,000 grants. Then the online community will select
 four ideas that will each receive an additional $25,000 grant.
 
     This program is an outgrowth of Citizens at the Center, a white paper,
 written by Dr. Cindy Gibson and released by the Case Foundation in late
 2006, which suggests that if people are to actually get engaged and stay
 engaged in their communities they must have more chances to connect and
 figure out how they can work together for the common good. The
 "citizen-centered" model represents a subtle, yet powerful, shift from
 asking people to simply plug into official programs and campaigns. It
 encourages people to create new spaces where they can come together,
 connect with one another, discuss solutions, and make a difference as a
 community working toward a common vision and real action.
 
     About the Case Foundation:
     The Case Foundation was created by Steve and Jean Case in 1997. The
 Foundation invests in individuals, nonprofits, and social enterprises that
 aim to connect people, increase giving, and catalyze civic action. For more
 information, visit www.casefoundation.org.
 
 
 
 

SOURCE The Case Foundation