Detroit Harmonie to Grant $50,000 at the Second Annual International Experience
Young Leaders Launch Initiative to Create ‘Natural Diversity’ in the city of Detroit
MEDIA CONTACT:
Katherine Cockrel
(IMG) Ignition Media Group
o: 313.496.1900
m: 313.550.4483
e:Katherine@theimgexperience.com
Detroit, MI (January 16, 2012) – Detroit-based 501(c)3, Detroit Harmonie, recently announced plans for the second annual International Experience on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Virgil H. Carr Arts League of Michigan located in downtown Detroit’s Harmonie Park. The International Experience is Detroit Harmonie’s signature event celebrating the diversity of metro Detroit through live entertainment, food, and music representing several cultures within the community.
Detroit Harmonie will hand out $50,000 in grants to 11 pre-selected social entrepreneurs in two ways: 1) The Get Funded Challenge, a competitive pitch process where five finalists will compete to win $45,000. The competition will kick-off the evening at 7:00 p.m. during the VIP reception. 2) The People’s Choice Award, where all 11 organizations will be eligible for $5,000 based on online and event attendee voting. Last year’s inaugural International Experience drew more than 400 people and featured 15 cultures that are a reflection of the fabric of Detroit.
“The idea for Detroit Harmonie came about because we saw a couple major disconnects,” said Jordan Wolfe, Detroit Harmonie co-founder and partner in Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction. “First, most major cities have natural diversity and that is a real draw for young people. Detroit has the diversity, the communities of different cultures, but we don’t interact with one another. Second, there are several next-generation led organizations that have gained traction on a grassroots level that are mobilizing communities and creating this environment of natural diversity, but there is no funding mechanism in place for them. This is why we feel Detroit Harmonie is such an important initiative.”
This year, the International Experience will go a step further with the addition of the Get Funded Challenge and People’s Choice Award. On February 1st, Detroit Harmonie will announce five finalists, selected by the board of directors, to compete in the Get Funded Challenge for grants in the following increments: First Place – $30,000, Second Place – $10,000, Third Place – $3,000, Fourth Place – $1,000 and Fifth Place – $1,000. At the VIP reception, each of the five contestants will be required to deliver a three-minute pitch to a panel of judges comprised of six current and future leaders across the business, government and nonprofit sectors. Get Funded Challenge winners will be announced during the main program. All 11 organizations will be eligible for a $5,000 People’s Choice Award, which will be determined online and by event attendees during the main program (details for entry are forthcoming.)
“There are a number of foundations doing great work throughout the city but resources are not unlimited,” said Marlowe Stoudamire, Detroit Harmonie board member and project director of strategic business development at Henry Ford Health System. “The Get Funded Challenge affords young professionals living, working and investing in the city, the opportunity to affect what gets funded; and to focus on some of the grassroots efforts that have gained traction but need additional dollars to continue to make an impact.”
Beyond the International Experience, Detroit Harmonie is committed to bringing together social networks from all cultures in an effort to create natural diversity through a series of events and initiatives. For more information about Detroit Harmonie or the International Experience, visit www.detroitharmonie.com or send an email to contact@detroitharmonie.com.
11 Pre-selected Social Entrepreneurs (in alphabetical order)
Brand Camp University – www.brandcampu.com
Detroit Foundation – www.detroitfoundation.org
Detroit Soup – www.detroitsoup.com
EnGarde Detroit – www.engardedetroit.com
Fresh Corner Café – www.freshcornercafe.com
Hatch Detroit – www.hatchdetroit.com
I AM YOUNG DETROIT – www.iamyoungdetroit.com
Inside Detroit – www.insidedetroit.org
Man of Style and Substance – www.williammalcolmmanofstyle.com
PonyRIDE – www.ponyride.org
Summer in the City – www.summerinthecity.org
About Detroit Harmonie
Detroit Harmonie is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed by a group of young leaders across different cultures to break down racial barriers throughout the city of Detroit and create a dynamic place and environment that attracts the next generation. Detroit Harmonie’s mission is to influence, fund, and measure emerging movements that create an atmosphere that fosters natural diversity in Detroit through cultural and social experiences. Founding supporters include Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C., PVS Chemicals, Inc., the Masco Corporation Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Foundation and the Knight Foundation.
# # #