If you have an idea that would make New York City a better and brighter place, now is the time to shout that idea from the rooftops.
The David Prize is taking submissions for its annual $1 million awards fund. The fund awards five New Yorkers with $200,000 to pursue their ideas to improve the city, be it socially, economically, culturally, environmentally or otherwise.
The award is a no-strings-attached grant that allows changemakers to make a direct impact in their community, without the bureaucratic barriers typical of some grants.
Applications are open to anyone living in the five boroughs, and although applicants can be affiliated with organizations or companies, the focus is on great people doing great things outside of established pathways and projects, the organization said.
“The David Prize celebrates extraordinary individuals with ideas, projects, products, and passions that are making (or will make) New York City a better place for more of us. As long as you have a clear idea of how your work improves our city, and what you need to get it done, we’ll consider it," the team says.
This year’s five winners were Fela Barclift of Arocentric Bed-Stuy preschool, Little Sun People; Brooklyn’s Felicia Wilson, who runs nonprofit What About Us which supports foster youth; Jaime-Jin Lewis, who runs an in-home childcare center platform for low-income parents; Mr. Five Mualimm-ak, whose Youth Anti Prison Project supports young adults affected by the justice system; and Cesar Vargas, who gives legal counsel to immigrants in the Armed Forces.
If you have the "grit and vision to change our communities, our culture and our future for good," get your application in beforeDecember 21. For more details and to apply, click here.
