FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lee Chilcote
216/406-3750 or leechilcote@gmail.com
The Cleveland Colectivo, a two-year-old Cleveland-based “giving circle” whose members make collective contributions to innovative projects in Cleveland, has selected six projects for funding in 2007. Reflecting the group’s determination to transform Cleveland, these projects, selected from more than 150 applications, focus on creativity, social justice, economic development, environmental sustainability, youth and alternative media. In total, the Colectivo gave away $13,500 in 2007 (nearly twice as much as the group gave away in 2006).
“The Cleveland Colectivo is a part of a national trend – giving circles are growing across the country,” said Walter Wright, one of the group’s founding members. “We believe that philanthropy is something that anyone can participate in, and we want to celebrate the grassroots projects happening in Cleveland.”
The Colectivo provided grants to six different projects in 2007:
• Zygote Press, a print-making collaborative, was awarded $2,000 for the Artzreach Program. The funds will help purchase materials and pay teacher stipends for an initiative to provide arts programming to individuals in detention and re-entry programs, in the Broadway neighborhood of Cleveland. Find out more information about Zygote Press at www.zygotepress.com.
• ArtHouse, a community arts center in the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood, was awarded $2,000 for the Fresh Stop – Studio Stop program. A first time collaboration between ArtHouse and CityFresh, these groups will host a “Fresh Stop” farmers market two days per month in the ArtHouse parking lot at 3119 Denison Rd. The market will offer locally grown produce at affordable prices. During the farmers market, ArtHouse will offer a free, open-door studio at its facility, allowing the public to take advantage of arts programming and classes. Find out more information about ArtHouse at www.arthouseinc.org, and CityFresh at www.gotthenac.org.
• The Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, a non-profit that focuses on fostering stronger relationships among youth and families of color, was awarded $5,000 for the African American and Latino Male Youth Dialogue program. The funds will be used for four quarterly dialogue sessions, estimated to impact 200 youth and fathers. The goal of the sessions is to create stronger intergenerational relationships, and to help youth change the projected outcomes of their lives. Contact the Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center at 216/651-8236.
• The Wendy Park Foundation, a non-profit that promotes and educates Clevelanders about Wendy Park at Whiskey Island, was awarded $2,500 for the WHISTLE Program – a three-week summer boat-building and sailing camp for Cleveland kids. The funds will be used to purchase materials. This innovative program exposes youth to Whiskey Island and the natural environment. Find out more about this group at www.wendyparkfoundation.org.
• Meet the Bloggers, a media organization that provides an alternative news source on issues that face Northeast Ohio, was awarded $500 for web hosting, newsletter maintenance, and pod-casting. Meet the Bloggers is known for hosting its interviews in Cleveland neighborhoods, bringing attention to under-reported issues, and for promoting an “open source” approach towards information and news. The Colectivo grant will help this grassroots group to expand its audience. Find out more about Meet the Bloggers at www.meetthebloggers.net.
• Parish Hall Cleveland, a music and arts non-profit housed in a former church hall in the Gordon Square Arts District of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, was awarded $1,500 towards a Gallery Renovations project. The funds will provide seed funding for the group to construct moveable walls, allowing them expand their programs. The moveable walls will create additional gallery space for art shows and other events. Find out more at www.parishhall.wordpress.com.
The Cleveland Colectivo was formed in January of 2005. Unlike traditional foundations, the group has created a giving circle model with no formal executive director, board of trustees or overhead – except for occasional purchases of pizza and drinks. Decisions are made by consensus at monthly meetings and membership is open. Voting members contribute at least $100 per quarter. For more information about the Cleveland Colectivo, visit www.clevelandcolectivo.org.
The Cleveland Colectivo mission statement is: “Clevelanders coming together to strengthen our community through collective investments that identify and nurture innovative projects.”
216/406-3750 or leechilcote@gmail.com
SMALL GRANTS FOR BIG IDEAS: TWO YEAR OLD GIVING CIRCLE AWARDS MONEY TO SIX INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN 2007
The Cleveland Colectivo, a two-year-old Cleveland-based “giving circle” whose members make collective contributions to innovative projects in Cleveland, has selected six projects for funding in 2007. Reflecting the group’s determination to transform Cleveland, these projects, selected from more than 150 applications, focus on creativity, social justice, economic development, environmental sustainability, youth and alternative media. In total, the Colectivo gave away $13,500 in 2007 (nearly twice as much as the group gave away in 2006).
“The Cleveland Colectivo is a part of a national trend – giving circles are growing across the country,” said Walter Wright, one of the group’s founding members. “We believe that philanthropy is something that anyone can participate in, and we want to celebrate the grassroots projects happening in Cleveland.”
The Colectivo provided grants to six different projects in 2007:
• Zygote Press, a print-making collaborative, was awarded $2,000 for the Artzreach Program. The funds will help purchase materials and pay teacher stipends for an initiative to provide arts programming to individuals in detention and re-entry programs, in the Broadway neighborhood of Cleveland. Find out more information about Zygote Press at www.zygotepress.com.
• ArtHouse, a community arts center in the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood, was awarded $2,000 for the Fresh Stop – Studio Stop program. A first time collaboration between ArtHouse and CityFresh, these groups will host a “Fresh Stop” farmers market two days per month in the ArtHouse parking lot at 3119 Denison Rd. The market will offer locally grown produce at affordable prices. During the farmers market, ArtHouse will offer a free, open-door studio at its facility, allowing the public to take advantage of arts programming and classes. Find out more information about ArtHouse at www.arthouseinc.org, and CityFresh at www.gotthenac.org.
• The Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, a non-profit that focuses on fostering stronger relationships among youth and families of color, was awarded $5,000 for the African American and Latino Male Youth Dialogue program. The funds will be used for four quarterly dialogue sessions, estimated to impact 200 youth and fathers. The goal of the sessions is to create stronger intergenerational relationships, and to help youth change the projected outcomes of their lives. Contact the Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center at 216/651-8236.
• The Wendy Park Foundation, a non-profit that promotes and educates Clevelanders about Wendy Park at Whiskey Island, was awarded $2,500 for the WHISTLE Program – a three-week summer boat-building and sailing camp for Cleveland kids. The funds will be used to purchase materials. This innovative program exposes youth to Whiskey Island and the natural environment. Find out more about this group at www.wendyparkfoundation.org.
• Meet the Bloggers, a media organization that provides an alternative news source on issues that face Northeast Ohio, was awarded $500 for web hosting, newsletter maintenance, and pod-casting. Meet the Bloggers is known for hosting its interviews in Cleveland neighborhoods, bringing attention to under-reported issues, and for promoting an “open source” approach towards information and news. The Colectivo grant will help this grassroots group to expand its audience. Find out more about Meet the Bloggers at www.meetthebloggers.net.
• Parish Hall Cleveland, a music and arts non-profit housed in a former church hall in the Gordon Square Arts District of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, was awarded $1,500 towards a Gallery Renovations project. The funds will provide seed funding for the group to construct moveable walls, allowing them expand their programs. The moveable walls will create additional gallery space for art shows and other events. Find out more at www.parishhall.wordpress.com.
The Cleveland Colectivo was formed in January of 2005. Unlike traditional foundations, the group has created a giving circle model with no formal executive director, board of trustees or overhead – except for occasional purchases of pizza and drinks. Decisions are made by consensus at monthly meetings and membership is open. Voting members contribute at least $100 per quarter. For more information about the Cleveland Colectivo, visit www.clevelandcolectivo.org.
The Cleveland Colectivo mission statement is: “Clevelanders coming together to strengthen our community through collective investments that identify and nurture innovative projects.”
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2 comments:
Great idea! Why haven't I heard of this sooner?
Not sure. We've only been around for about two years. I have published entries regarding us several times.
Check out the website to find out more information. If you are really interested, come to our next meeting this Wednesday. Detail are on the site.
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