Idea to Action Incubator

This dynamic two day event is designed to empower project teams and individuals with the tools, expertise, and connections needed to transform their innovative ideas into actional community engagement initiatives.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops on understanding community needs, sustainable project design, effective story telling & communication, financial planning & project budgeting and goal setting & assessment techniques. These workshops will be lead by subject-matter experts from higher education, nonprofits, grant-making organizations, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

Attendees will register as individuals, but have the option to attend the event as part of a project team (must consist of at least one representative from a CEA member campus and community partner). Attendees who register as part of a project team will have the option to compete in a pitch competition. Winners of the pitch competition will receive a $5,000 CEA grant to fund their project idea!

Regardless of whether you plan to attend as part of a project team, this will be a great opportunity to network, develop connections with community partners and individuals in higher education, learn how create a project that is attractive to potential funders, and conduct your project in a way that centers the values of community-engaged work.