Denver, CO—Today, Rose Community Foundation is launching a new project called Innovate for Good. A new venture for the Foundation, it was created to find and fund ideas by asking the question, “What new and innovative idea would you bring to life to make the Greater Denver community a better place to live?” This project will award up to 10 grants totaling $250,000 to fund projects that meet the criteria.

Innovate for Good has opened a call for ideas inviting artists, engineers, nonprofits, neighborhood associations, teenagers, retirees, you name it, to submit an idea to be considered for funding. Ideas should point to new, creative programs, products or services and/or new approaches to addressing a need in the Greater Denver community. They must make a positive, measurable difference within one year and be consistent with Rose Community Foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life of the Greater Denver community and vision to invest in strategic and innovative solutions to enduring problems and emerging issues.

Ideas and proposals will be reviewed by Rose Community Foundation and a committee of community members from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions. The open call for ideas is January 6 through February 2. Semi-finalist selection will take place in late February. Those who meet the initial criteria will be invited to submit implementation proposals in March and finalist selection will take place in April. Chosen finalists will be asked to prepare a live pitch to be delivered at Rose Community Foundation’s 20th Anniversary celebration in June 2015 where winners will be announced.

“This is a new kind of project for Rose Community Foundation and we are very excited at the energy and enthusiasm it is already fueling,” said Sheila Bugdanowitz, president and CEO. “We think it is important to hear from and connect to people and organizations we might not reach through our typical grantmaking process. We can’t wait to see what ideas come in from all over the Greater Denver community!”

Submit your idea today through midnight MST February 2 at rcfdenver.org and help spread the word. If you have questions, please email sindyk@rcfdenver.org.

About Rose Community Foundation

Rose Community Foundation uses leadership, grantmaking and donor engagement to invest in strategic and innovative solutions to enduring problems and emerging issues. The Foundation has granted more than $217 million since it was founded in 1995. To learn more, please visit rcfdenver.org.