A competition that's looking for the best ideas to fight poverty — and offers cash prizes — is being launched, in part, by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
The Ideas for Action Award is designed to develop and promote new thinking and policies to reduce poverty long term.
The University center is collaborating on the awards program with the Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, with sponsorship from the Northwest Area Foundation.
Organizers say the goal of the competition is to:
"instigate examination, discussion, evolution of practical ideas, and, eventually, implementation of policies that will help reduce poverty and build sustainable prosperity."
Awards of at least $5,000 will go to up to 10 winning ideas selected by a review panel. They say the winning ideas "will be enthusiastically shared with prominent policymakers and practitioners across the Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest and nationwide."
Larry Jacobs, director of the U's Center for Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, said:
"The historic numbers of poor Americans is shocking and calls for new thinking and renewed attention on what is working to create opportunities for those of low income. The Ideas for Action contest is race for progress."
The first deadline — for receipt of letters of intent — is June 29. More information is at the Evans School website.