Help us find and support an individual with a bold idea with up to a $5,000 grant for their project.
Washington is rolling back federal actions to fight climate change. EPA budgets protecting clean air and water are being cut. We’re facing ongoing struggles to address gender, environmental justice, and income inequality. All this and more have left so many of us are asking, “what can I do?”
While we need nonprofits to advocate, local governments to lead the way, and business to put in place solutions, it is clear to me we also need individuals who rally others to join them to make the world better a place.
There are individuals across the nation who are what I call a citizen entrepreneur, or a Citizen E. At their core, a Citizen E is a citizen environmentalist who serves as a citizen example, and takes risks to make the world a better place in this citizen experiment.
A Citizen E unleashes their creativity, and can-do spirit to tackle a problem they see in their community. A Citizen E rallies people around them and their bold (perhaps some would even say crazy) idea, however big or small.
A Citizen E can be anyone- a teacher, janitor, driver, doctor, retail worker, architect or full time parent. A Citizen E sees things in their local community that can be improved, and are willing to do something about it.
A Citizen E steps forth and calls us all to join them in making a lasting difference for their home (be that our community or the planet) and their family (from their loved ones, to all of us).
I created the Citizen E project to provide support and resources to these individuals. Our first nationwide Citizen E search will identify and provide grants to people who have great ideas and the passion to make them real. If you think this is you, click here.
The people we fund can be at the start of their journey, or may need a little help to complete their bold idea. The Citizen E project will select finalists, and feature them on-line. A public vote on the finalists will help a jury determine who will be awarded a $5,000 grant, with each finalist eligible for a runner up grant of $1,000 or more.
Last year on my 50th birthday, I celebrated with an informal launch of Citizen E. With the help of donations from friends and family, we gave away $3,500 to help support and empower change makers—each a Citizen E--here in LA, including:
- an individual who started an annual eco-festival in East LA to raise awareness about solar and electric vehicles;
- a police officer who wants to have cops volunteer with local groups to help do green community development;
- a hairstylist who started an after school edible garden and cooking program; and
- a local activist who helps take care of a neighborhood’s community garden and provides school supplies to local students.
Do you, or does someone you know have a crazy idea to take responsibility for a corner of our world? Nominate them today. Because armed with a bold idea, a can do attitude, and rallying the support of friends, anyone can be a Citizen E. And it's what we need more than ever.