At RED DOT Project, we’ve been identified as “Social Venture” on the leading edge of a new direction in non-profit funding.  It means that RED DOT Project has a profit making business entity (selling artists work) directly connected to it’s mission (creating a market for regional art).  Our organization and our members are not simply putting our hands out to funders asking for funds; together we are creating the funds to continue our collective work.

Another example of Clevelanders approaching social change in an innovative way is Cleveland Collectivo, who is hosting their second annual “Change for Change” fundraising event on Saturday February 23rd.  In essence, this is a small circle of people who decided it was time to stop talking about Cleveland’s problems and start investing in solutions. Inspired by the traditional practice of immigrant neighbors who invested in each other’s businesses in order to build community, they gathered together for the purpose of collective giving. Their mission is to strengthen our community through collective investments that identify and nurture innovative projects. Each member contributes funds to The Colectivo quarterly and together they choose projects to support. If you are not familiar with the Colectivo, you can learn more about them at www.clevelandcolectivo.org.   At this year’s  event they will be auctioning off artist-created purses and wallets to raise money for this year’s grantees.  The theme of the event is “change for change,” and they are seeking submissions of purses and wallets.   Pieces can be functional or not-so-functional.  If you or someone you know is interested in creating a piece, please let them know by contacting jasonhweiner@yahoo.com.   Artists are often asked to give their art for auctions and fundraisers.  It often seems to be a “jump on the bandwagon” ask to artists for yet another worthy cause that doesn’t recognize the challenges of being an artist in this region.  This one feels a little different, like an opportunity to join other Clevelanders investing their own money in this community with an investment in art.   

This entry was posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 12:17 pm and is filed under news, events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.