Tech giant Google this week announced the 10 winners of its Google.org Illinois Impact Challenge, a program in which it ultimately awards $1 million to local nonprofits that have innovative ideas to drive economic growth throughout the state.
The challenge, which Google originally announced in August, provides each winning nonprofit a $75,000 grant, along with training from the tech company to help develop the projects.
A panel of local advisors, such as Matt Forte, a former Chicago Bears running back, and Jim Edgar, former governor of Illinois, reviewed more than 160 proposals to determine the 10. The projects include a mobile STEM education lab for rural areas, transitional jobs for those re-entering society from incarceration and an incubator for young entrepreneurs.
Now, Illinois residents have the opportunity to vote on which project they believe will have the biggest economic impact on the state. The winner will receive an additional $250,000 in funding. Residents can vote now through Feb. 14.
The 10 winners include:
- After School Matters
- Cara Chicago
- Future Founders Foundation
- Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois
- Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
- Manufacturing Renaissance
- North Lawndale Employment Network
- Mattoon in Motion
- True Star Foundation
- YWCA of McLean County
Google, which employs about 900 people in its Chicago headquarters, also hosts Impact Challenges in Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City, Columbia, S.C., and Cleveland.
“Google has been proud to call Illinois home for more than a decade, and we are honored to help the ten winning organizations create lasting economic impact throughout the state,” said Karen Sauder, the vice president of sales and head of the Chicago office, in a statement. “We’re looking forward to seeing the Google.org Impact Challenge winners spark new opportunities for Illinoisans for years to come.”
