Pocket Change Provides Opportunity to Make SW Even Better

The SW Business Improvement District (SWBID) in conjunction with the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) is once again calling for proposals from the community for its annual Pocket Change contest. The best idea wins a $1000 micro-grant to execute the idea!  

Here’s how it works:

Any community members can submit ideas to make Southwest DC a better place. The ideas can be limitless, from starting book clubs to disrupting violence to art installations and teachable economic skills. Whatever your vision to enhance Southwest is, pitch it! 

A panel of judges selects the top five applicants to pitch to the community at an event in February. A date will shortly be announced, and all are welcome to attend the event. A suggested $5 will be collected at the door to be pooled and added to the micro-grant.

Event attendees listen to each pitch and vote for their favorite idea with the most potential for furthering Southwest. The pitch with the most vote wins the $1,000 grant + door donations to make their idea a reality!

The deadline to submit is January 31, 2022.  Applications can be found at Pocket Change. 

PAST COMPETITIONS

Winners: 

2021: Nate and Neko with SW Sports on a Truck

2020: Bonnie Harris with Safe Sharing Peace Circle: Disrupting the Cycle of Violence in Southwest (stay tuned for updates!)

2018: Adom Cooper with DC Mentoring and Achievement Program (DC MAAP) 

2018: Coy McKinney with SW Gardens for Southwest Earth Arts and Music Day

Finalists:

2020

Stacy Cloyd, BATter Up!

Ramsey Poston: Wharf Life Job Center

Kevin M. Norris, Preservation Creative

Claire Adrian-Tucci: Friend of the Titanic Memorial Park Picnic

2018

Ashton Rohmer:  Home SWeet Home: a new Neighbor Guide   – Completed!

Christopher Williams: The Soul of Southwest: An Illuminated Showcase of the SW Community’s Resilience and Pride

Johari Rashad: Recycle-Create-Remember South West (RCRSW)  

Josh Hedrington: The SW Plant & Paint Project