The success of the Cleveland Colectivo over the past seven years has exceeded the wildest dreams of its members, an ambitious group that aims to improve the city's neighborhoods by funding grassroots projects and social entrepreneurs. Formed in 2004 by a group of friends who decided to pool their money and give it away, the Colectivo has now granted over $80,000 to community projects in Greater Cleveland.

This month, the group will host a night of grassroots networking and idea-sharing entitled "Pitch for Change." The event will take place on Thursday, February 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Shaker Launch House. At the forum, participants will be allowed two minutes to pitch their innovative idea or project for creating change in Cleveland. Attendees will vote on the best presentation, and the winner will receive the donations collected at the door as well as an invitation to join Round 2 of Colectivo's grant process.

Some of the previously funded projects include A Piece of Cleveland (an urban deconstruction business), Plenty Underfoot (an arts startup that transforms discarded items into jewelry, centerpieces and other artistic objects), and Prince of Peace Computer Literacy (an effort to provide computer literacy programming to underserved city residents).

For a group that started off with only a few meager checks (and chutzpah), one might say that this tiny grassroots group is making a big impact. Over time, they've witnessed their grant making model spread to other groups, too.

To sign up as a participant in Pitch for Change, visit the Colectivo website.

Source: Cleveland Colectivo
Writer: Lee Chilcote