YPWeek: 2nd Annual Racine S.O.U.P.

PART OF YP Week, April 19 - April 27 - a weeklong platform for discovery, adventure and meaningful conversations about the issues that matter among young professionals in Wisconsin.

2nd Annual Racine S.O.U.P.
Support of Urban Projects

What is Racine S.O.U.P.?
S.O.U.P. is a forum in which community members can share their ideas for how to enhance the quality of life for residents in the greater Racine area. Dinner is served at a forum and a micro-grant is awarded to one individual/organization from funds collected at the forum. We want to:
•    Provide a collaborative platform for community connection
•    Empower residents and emerging community leaders
•    Promote action, change, risk-taking, leadership, equality, and creativity
•    Foster dialogue surrounding the quality of life for Racine residents

How does it work?
Young Professionals of Racine (YPR), a program of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce, will host a dinner featuring soup and 3-5 grant proposals presentations made by community members or groups for projects that will enhance the quality of life in greater Racine. Each presenter will have 5 minutes to share their ideas and 3 minutes to answer questions from the audience.

For a $5.00 donation, each attendee at the forum will receive soup for dinner and a single vote to decide which project they would like to see receive funding. Proceeds from each meal become the grant that will be awarded to the chosen project, which will be voted upon by all present at the dinner. The minimum award for the winning project will be $250 with potential to receive more depending on attendance – the more people in attendance, the more funds available to award!

When and Where
Thursday, April 25
5:30PM to 8:00PM
Uncorkt, 240 Main Street

Tickets are purchased at the door for $5/person. There is no pre-registration. You may also contribute additional funds, however each attendee will only receive one vote.

Proposal Due Date
Midnight on Sunday, March 31, 2019
Submit to aclementi@racinechamber.com

What kinds of projects are eligible?
Projects must be located within greater Racine (City of Racine, Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant) and positively impact the community in at least one of the following areas:
•    Public Art and Culture (i.e. public art, art education)
•    Connectivity/Activity (i.e. health and wellness, transportation, community accessibility)
•    Cultivating Engagement, Diversity and Inclusivity (i.e. social engagement, jobs, civic engagement)
•    Place-Making/Neighborhoods/Community Engagement (i.e. space-making, gathering spaces, neighborhood revitalization)

Not all submitted projects will be selected to present at the S.O.U.P. event. A proposal committee will pre-screen submissions for appropriate projects and content, feasibility in getting funding, conflicts of interest and other guidelines.

How do I apply for a micro-grant?
The application is simple and brief. Find it HERE.

For a chance to present at Racine S.O.U.P., fill out the form and submit as instructed. If your proposal is selected by the selection committee for presentation at the S.O.U.P. event you will be invited to the dinner where you will make a 5 minute presentation of your project. If you have any questions, please contact Anna Clementi, aclementi@racinechamber.com.

•    Thoroughly review your submission before sending; incomplete proposals will not be considered.

•    Projects should be ready to implement once money is awarded. Awardees will have 6 months to begin their project and will be asked to share progress at a future S.O.U.P event.

FAQs
1. Do I have to be a Racine resident to submit a project?
No, but the project must be implemented within greater Racine (east of I-94).

2. What if I am proposing a project that will take place on City property, in schools, etc?
You will need to secure permission/approval from whoever owns/administers the proposed location.

3. When will I know if my project was selected to present at the event?
You will be notified 5-7 days prior to the event.

4. How long will I have to present?
Chosen applicants will be given 5 minutes to present their proposal to event attendees. 3 minutes will be allowed for Q&A.

5. Will there be technology available?
No. Presentations will be done without technology. Handouts and other visuals are acceptable.

6. I can't make it to the event, can I still apply?
No - You must be present at the S.O.U.P. forum to present your proposal. Grant recipients are also required to present their progress at the following S.O.U.P. event (date to be determined).

7. I applied for Racine S.O.U.P. previously but was not selected to present. May I apply again?
Yes - we receive many proposals and can only accommodate a certain amount per event. We encourage you to reapply for the next event!

8. If I am selected to present my proposal do I need to buy a ticket for myself to the event?
No - if chosen, you will have ONE FREE entry per organization for the presenter. All others presenting with you, friends, staff, supporters, loved ones, etc. will have to purchase a ticket to get in.

9. If I presented, can I still vote?
Yes

10. Do I have to be a member of RAMAC or YPR to apply/attend?
No. All demographics are welcome!