The deadline to submit ideas for the Cleveland Leadership Center’s civic pitch competition is Monday, Dec. 2. The winner will receive a top cash prize of $5,000, which they can use as seed money to develop their idea to make the region a better place.

The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in the Global Center for Health Innovation at 1 St. Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland.

Anyone who wants to improve the community can enter. Pitch submissions began being accepted Nov. 1.

A coaching session will take place Wednesday, Nov. 20, for details and advice on how to make submissions more compelling.

Pitches must be in one of six categories: authentic Cleveland experiences; community change; economic and workforce development; educating for tomorrow; health and wellness; and quality of life.

Lots of connections occur at the event, says Michael Bennett, vice president for external affairs for the Cleveland Leadership Center.

“To me, what is really amazing is the connections that are made,” Bennett said. “By getting your idea out there, there is someone else who also has an interest in that topic and is able to help.”

Judges will select one finalist from each of the six categories. The six finalists will present their ideas to the entire audience, which will vote on the winner. The five remaining finalists will each receive $2,000.

Anyone with a way to help Northeast Ohio is asked to submit it. “We encourage anybody who has an idea to apply,” said Bennett. “We want to make sure that anybody who has an idea feels comfortable applying. The application is online, and it is short and easy. We see a lot of people with great ideas.”

Tory Coats, the 2018 winner for Dare2Believe Pop-Up Shops, which teaches business skills to high school students, will return to showcase and sell his wares.

For more details and about the competition and to apply, visit this link.