Google is launching a new program in which it will ultimately award $1 million to Illinois nonprofits that have innovative ideas to drive economic growth throughout the state.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based tech company, which employs about 900 people in its Chicago headquarters, announced Thursday the launch of the Google.org Illinois Impact Challenge. The program invites nonprofits throughout Illinois to submit proposals for ideas that will drive economic growth in their local communities.
Google, with a panel of local advisors, will review the proposals and award 10 winners $75,000 grants along with training from Google to help develop the projects. Then Illinois residents will have the opportunity to vote on which project they believe will have the biggest economic impact and the winner will receive an additional $250,000 in funding.
The deadline for submissions is Sept. 21 and the 10 finalists will be named in January, Google said.
The program's advisor panel includes local civic, education and sport leaders, including Larry Dietz, the president of Illinois State University, Matt Forte, a former Chicago Bears running back, and Tina Tchen, the former chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Innovation that drives economic opportunity can be found in every corner of our state,” Dietz said in a statement. “I can’t wait to join my fellow panelists to see the brightest ideas Illinois nonprofits have to offer.”
The announcement of the Impact Challenge follows Grow with Google, an educational event the tech company hosted in Naperville earlier this month, which attracted about 130 people.
“Our hope with the Illinois Impact Challenge is to tap into innovation across the state to bring great ideas to build stronger communities to light,” said Google Chicago site lead Karen Sauder, who took the top position in July. “Illinois is an incredibly diverse state, with a wide variety of issues that impact different communities and a huge amount of local talent seeking to solve unique challenges.”
