The Illinois Innovation Network awarded $60,000 to two new social innovation seed grant projects this week.
Provided by the University of Illinois System, the funding is designed to translate research into projects that directly affect lives, address critical social problems and build trusted partnerships in communities across Illinois.
The funded projects focus on enhancing nonprofit capacity to provide civic education to youth in disinvested Chicago neighborhoods and developing an African American heritage trail to preserve the history and legacy of Cairo, Illinois.
“It is critical to the health and success of our nation to engage all residents in democratic principles and to recognize key moments from our history,” U of I System Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation Jay Walsh said. “These two projects provide a necessary step toward both of these goals, and I look forward to seeing how they improve the quality of life in and around Chicago and Cairo.”
IIN is a network of 15 hubs across the state working to boost Illinois’ economy through entrepreneurship, research and workforce development. Most are at public universities.
Proposals for seed grants were required to include significant involvement by at least two IIN hubs and were encouraged to include Illinois community-based organizations. Projects also must be completed within one year of receiving funding. Proposals were evaluated on their alignment with IIN principles, how well they address their stated areas of social innovation and impact, and the scope of their work and level of collaboration, as well as their potential for further work.
The newly funded projects and the researchers behind them are:
Unveiling Black History: The African American Heritage Trail in Cairo, Illinois
Magdalena Novoa Echaurren, assistant professor of urban and regional planning, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Julia Rendleman, assistant professor of journalism, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Building a More Inclusive Democracy: Enhancing Nonprofit Capacity for Civic Education and the Mobilization of Marginalized Youth in Illinois
Julia Langer, assistant professor of public administration, Northern Illinois University; Kelly LeRoux, professor of public administration, University of Illinois Chicago.
