More Soup for You in Toledo, and Around the World

Toledo Soup is accepting submissions for its 4th event, scheduled for March 9th.  Toledo Soup is an organization that gives microgrants to individuals and organizations to fund a good, activity or service that enhances the greater Toledo area.  And who makes that determination?  The voters who pay $5 to eat soup and bread and vote on the finalists that Toledo Soup choses.  The voters plunk down the money, eat, listen to the pitches of would-be grant recipients, and vote.  Whoever gets the most votes for their project gets the evening's take of money.  The application is short, but must be sent by the middle of February.   Past winners include Glass City Pedicabs and ArtAround Town.  Applicants can include small businesses, individuals, and nonprofits--as long as they are doing work calculated to enhance the northwest Ohio community.

Toledo Soup is one of dozens of organizations around the world that offer microgrants given by soup-eating voters.  Most of the Soup Network offers microgrants to artists.  Check this list--there may be one near you.

Soup's On...Again. Toledo Soup is Requesting Applications (deadline extended to August 5th)

It's been awhile since Toledo Soup has hosted an event.  The last one was a year ago.  But they are accepting applications for their microgrants once again, and the deadline is August 5th at 5 p.m. 

So what is this, exactly?  It's a chance for a group or person--either non or for-profit--to get a minigrant.  If your application is vetted and chosen, you will be invited to make your case for the money to a group of Toledoans who have paid $5 for soup, bread, and a chance to vote on one of the projects.  Whoever gets the most votes from the soup-eating audience gets whatever money was raised by the $5 fee.  This third event will be held on September 8, 2013 at the Toledo School for the Arts from 5-9 p.m.  The second winner, crowned last fall, was Art Around Town, and the first was Toledo Pedicabs.

We've written about the worldwide Soup Movement before.  It was started to provide a democratic way to give small amounts of money to worthy causes without a lot of red tape and IRS approval.  In that way, has a resemblance to the Awesome Foundation, a movement of "giving circles" around the world.  Most of the worldwide events were created to support art projects, but Toledo's event is wide-open to anyone with a great idea that could get a boost from $500 to $1000 in cash.  If you have such an idea and live in northwest Ohio, check it out.