Seed Award for Economic Opportunity

The Sprout Fund’s 2018 Seed Award for Economic Opportunity is mobilizing collaborative approaches to overcome barriers to economic vitality in Pittsburgh.

Despite recent gains, economic opportunity isn’t distributed equitably across Pittsburgh.

While the region earns national acclaim for innovation and livability, the inclusiveness of our region’s job growth lags far behind that of other American cities.

Through the generous support of the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, The Sprout Fund has mobilized 3 working groups to develop collaborative solutions that expand economic opportunity in the region.

After a community process and free regional event, 1 approach will be selected to receive catalytic funding for full-scale implementation.

Grant Funding Available

$55,000

Application Deadline

January 26, 2018

Inclusive Innovation Week Event

April 4, 2018

Working Group Leads

Change Agency
Hazelwood Initiative
Prototype PGH

Learn More

Meet the Working Groups
Revisit the Forum

Working Groups

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The City As Our Maker Space

Feminist maker activities in the Hill District, Wilkinsburg, and Allentown

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The City As Our Maker Space

Expanding feminist makerspace programming in Pittsburgh’s East End to the Hill District, Wilkinsburg, and Allentown

Partners

Prototype PGH, The Black Unicorn: Library and Archive Project, University of Pittsburgh Manufacturing Assistance Center, and Ujamaa Collective

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Cooperative Opportunity Guild of Hazelwood

A cooperatively-owned economic resource center in Hazelwood

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Cooperative Opportunity Guild of Hazelwood

Developing a capacity-building campaign to build a cooperatively-owned economic resource center in Hazelwood

Partners

Hazelwood Initiative, Work Hard Pittsburgh, Mansmann Foundation, POORLAW, and Academy Pittsburgh

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Workplace Equity Challenge

Employer-focused workshops to advance equity in the workplace

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Workplace Equity Challenge

Developing a series of employer-focused workshops to equip key staff with tangible skills for advancing equity in the workplace

Partners

Change Agency, Idea Foundry, and Sustainable Pittsburgh

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Pittsburgh Economic Opportunity Forum

Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Energy Innovation Center, Hill District

This community event featured dynamic speakers and engaging activities exploring local efforts to increase economic opportunity in the Pittsburgh region.

Breakfast and free childcare were provided.

This event was part of the City of Pittsburgh’s 2018 Inclusive Innovation Week.

Process & Timeline

Call for Proposals

Sprout received 23 applications proposing collaborative activities among more than 90 local organizations.

January

Working Groups

3 finalists host working group meetings to refine their approaches and prepare for the Regional Forum.

March

Regional Forum

Public event on April 4 discusses economic opportunity and provides feedback on proposed approaches.

April

Catalytic Funding

$40,000 grant awarded to implement 1 refined collaborative project to expand economic opportunity in Pittsburgh.

May

Communities are better places to live, learn, and thrive because of the people and ideas supported by The Sprout Fund. Learn more at sproutfund.org.

The 2018 Seed Award for Economic Opportunity in made possible through the generous support of the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

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