Press Release : Positive Community Impact
bigBang! 2011 – a Blast of an Event That’s Sparking a Wave of Positive Community Impact $10,000 pool will act as catalyst for giving in the wake of bigBang!
DALLAS – July 7, 2011 – bigBang!’s second annual event, held on June 17th of this year, was a success and the goodwill and excitement that it has ignited will have a positive impact in many ways in North Texas. The event brought together 20 innovative nonprofits, for profits with a social mission and companies with outstanding Corporate Service Responsibility programs. All received six minutes in the spotlight to raise awareness and potentially raise funds too.
bigBang!’s audience consisted of a combination of North Texas power philanthropists representing 50 foundations, organizations, networks and companies along with representatives of many other North Texas nonprofits who were keen on hearing new ideas that are being developed to improve the community. The presentations focused on 4 issues: local food, education, issues impacting women and girls and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“This was Dallas Social Venture Partners second year to host bigBang! and its now a defining event on our calendar,” said Stacy Caldwell, President of Dallas Social Venture Partners. “Showcasing these tremendous ideas – from the seed stage to implementation – that are improving lives in North Texas is exciting. But to be able to do this in front of an audience who can truly help these groups accelerate their growth, whether it’s from a financial standpoint or a matter of sharing their expertise, is truly inspiring.”
In an effort to jumpstart financial support for the Innovators, The Communities Foundation of Texas, has donated a pool of $10,000. Donors who support any of the bigBang! Innovators will have their dollars matched by a percentage from this pool. Donations can be made through Donor Bridge, a resource that connects supporters and non-profits in an effort to make online giving easy. For more information, visit: http://bigbangtx.org/give/
“bigBang! was eye opening, it was jaw dropping, it was a room full of people buzzing with new ideas and new connections,” said first time attendee Malinda Miller. Meanwhile attendee Bill Holston, “It was energizing to be in a room full of people dedicated to improving their community. I’m leaving today motivated to do more of that myself.”
In addition to the Innovators, presenting on stage, many more grassroots change makers were represented at bigBang! Over 20 North Texas vendors set up shop in the Socially Conscious Marketplace, members of the emac program at the University of Texas at Dallas staffed The Spark Lounge, where non-profits could learn more about leveraging social media to help raise awareness and money for their causes. Paul Quinn College’s Food for Good Farm not only delivered an on-stage pitch, it donated much of the local grown produce served that was served during lunch.
The rapid-fire, high energy, big impact style of bigBang! is being increasingly replicated in other cities around the country and the success of bigBang! 2011 in North Texas means that plans are already underway to create a bigger, better bigBang! in 2012.
bigBang! 2011 Innovators:
TEACH Track: Healthy Zones School Recognition Program, Reasoning Mind, Teaching Trust, The Compelling Why, Zero to 5 Funders Collaborative
NOURISH Track: Paul Quinn College Food for Good Farm, Dallas Farmer’s Market Trust, Café Momentum, Sustainable Food Center, The Movement
EMPOWER Track: Resolana, Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, Latina Leap, Letot Girls’ Center, ACCION Texas-Louisiana
SERVE Track: Pepsi Co, Texas Instruments, Travelocity : Travel for Good, Time Warner Cable : Collaborative Approach, Mary Kay, Inc.
Advisors, Collaborators and Endorsers have helped identify and coach the Innovators. They include: Mary Jalonick of the Dallas Foundation, Brent Christopher with Communities Foundation of Texas, Bruce Esterline with Meadows Foundation, Cynthia Nunn with Center for Nonprofit Management, Ben Kohnle with Grant Thornton, Liz Darling with One Star Foundation and Lucille DiDomenico with Conference of Southwest Foundations, Spark Club, Slow Money DFW, The Dallas Women’s Foundation, DFW Corporate Citizens Network.
bigBang! was made possible by the support of key sponsors Communities Foundation of Texas / Donor Bridge, Grant Thornton, Entrepreneurs for North Texas, Telligent, Dodee Crockett, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, The Billy and Dodee Crockett Advised Fund at the Dallas Foundation, Austin College, Anonymous, The Cynthia K. Engles Donor Advised Fund at The Dallas Women’s Foundation, Hudson Foundation, Winstead, Demeter Project, University of Texas at Dallas School of Management, Summit Financial, Eventbrite, UNT Dallas, and Proliance.
About bigBANG! bigBANG! is a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners that brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs. bigBang! strives to create positive impact in the Dallas-area and beyond through networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences. For more information visit www.bigbangtx.org
About DSVP DSVP is a partnership of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations who are committed to strengthening our community through the thoughtful application of collective dollars and business expertise. DSVP is comprised of 123 partners and works with a current portfolio of nine nonprofit investments to create positive social impact. For additional information, please call (214) 855-5520 or visit www.dsvp.org.
