Application Workshop:
Thursday. SEP 10, 6 PM
Freedom First Community Room, West End Village
Applications DUE:
Big Lick SOUP
Why Roanoke? Roanoke
What is it?
Big Lick SOUP (Supporting
Outstanding Urban Projects) is a micro-grant
event partnered with a community meal.
Everyone in the Roanoke community is
invited and asked to make a small donation
at the door. Once there, we’ll hear four
pitches for community projects.
What kinds of projects? Anything that has a
positive community impact is a possibility.
After hearing the pitches, everyone will eat a
delicious meal and vote on which project they
like best. The project with the most votes will
get all of the money raised at the door to do
their project.
Every attendee is an individual funder
creating change in our community! Even the
projects that don’t get this money will wind
up with more of the recognition and
encouragement necessary for
their project.
Monday, SEP 21
Thursday, OCT 8, 6 PM
has more than
a spoonful of creative people, and we want
a creative way to support them. While
there are a number of grants available,
this is a way of crowdsourcing funding for
dynamic projects. Roanokers will be taking
an active role in creating the kind of
change we want to see. We want Roanoke
to be on the forefront of innovation and
this is an ideal way of moving us there.
Does all the money go to ONE project?
Yes. All of the money raised at the door will
go to the top vote getter. (The food and space
are donated!) So for what you would spend on
dinner, you can now help fund a meaningful
project, meet some interesting people, and
still enjoy some great food.
Who can offer a pitch? Anyone
with a great idea that could
The model for SOUP was
positively impact the community
How compelling
created in Detroit, but there
can you make your can apply to offer a pitch. The
have been subsidiaries all
planning committee will pick four
community
over the planet. You can read
of the most interesting pitches for
more about it at Detroit
improvement idea a four-minute presentation at the
SOUP.com. They have been
event. What have you always
in four minutes?
doing this for more than 4
thought would be cool but weren’t
years now, and they’ve even
sure how to make a reality?
been
able
to
start
neighborhood level events to
spark innovation on an even more intimate
What ARE presentations like? Each
scale.
presenter will have 4 minutes to share their
idea. Short and sweet—without PowerPoint
Big Lick SOUP is envisioned as an ongoing
or other multimedia assistance. After the
project, not a one-time deal. We anticipate
brief presentation, the presenter will answer
having several citywide events every year.
a few questions from the audience.
We would also love to see neighborhoods
Additionally,
we’ll
encourage
further
leading their own SOUP events. So come out
questions during the meal and voting period.
and get in on the ground floor of this exciting
project!
How is the person held accountable?
When and where will this occur? The
We expect all recipients to use the money in
a wise manner directly related to the project
they present. We also expect all recipients to
come back and present in the future on
how they used funds at the next Big Lick
SOUP event.
inaugural Big Lick SOUP will be held
Who is leading this? Big
Lick SOUP is
volunteer-led, demonstrating the power
of grassroots, community driven efforts to
create positive change in Roanoke. The
committee includes:
#
Brad Stephens, Chair
ThrivingPlacesProject.com
#
Amy Morgan
Belmont Neighborhood Association
#
Ariel Lev
Grandin CoLab
#
Bob Clement
City of Roanoke - Neighborhood Services
Coordinator
#
Douglas Jackson
Virginia Department of Housing and
Community Development
#
Dr. Elda Stanco Downey
Roanoke Spanish
#
Jerel Rhodes
Renaissance Academy
#
Johnny Williams
Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates
#
Meredith Roller
Family Promise
#
How much does it cost to attend? The
suggested donation is $10, though we
will turn no one away. For the price of a
meal at many restaurants you can have a
great meal and get a chance to make an
impact in your community! But, again, this
is a mere suggestion. We want everyone to
feel welcome.
You play a role
in making our city even better:
funder, innovator, changemaker,
supporter, enthusiast, catalyst...
Can I Get Involved?
Even if you don’t
have an idea this time around, we’ll be
happy to put you on the list to receive
information about this and future events.
Additionally, we’re always looking for
people to help put on these events. If you
have an interest, we’ll find a place for you.
Shawn Spencer
Project Real Talk
#
Thursday, October 8th at 6 PM
Soaring Ridge Brewery
523 Shenandoah Ave, N.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
Susan Jennings
City of Roanoke - Arts and Culture
Coordinator
How can I learn more? If you are
interested in more information, you can
 contact Brad Stephens
(704) 699-6100
bas615@vt.edu.
 email biglicksoup@gmail.com.
AND… a workshop!
Come to our
Proposal Workshop for help fleshing out
that idea for a successful application.
Thursday, September 10, 6 PM!