The idea from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropic organization is simple: great ideas stem not just from policy makers but from the citizens those politicians represent. And it is challenging those citizens to bring forth the brightest ideas they have to alter their city that Bloomberg wishes to do in his Mayors Challenge.
Though 394 cities are competing—including Long Beach—across 47 states, only five of those cities will have the chance to earn $5 million in order to enact these ideas put forth by its citizens. Runner-up cities will be awarded $1 million prizes.
“Long Beach is filled with thought-leaders,” said Mayor Bob Foster in a press release. “The Mayors Challenge is an incredible opportunity to channel that innovation into bold ideas that solve real problems, not just here but in cities across America.”
The application process, in which any Long Beach citizen can submit their ideas up until Foster’s August 31 deadline, is easy, though the ideas being presented in them must have a wide range of depth and boldness. Bloomberg Philanthropies is not just searching for ideas that have vision within that particular city, but ones which can be applicable and replicated in other cities as well. Vision and implementation are paired side-by-side with impact and replication.
After 5PM on August 31, Mayor Foster will then go through submissions and choose one idea to be submitted for the national competition.
To submit your idea, click here to read Mayor Foster’s open letter and click the “Begin” button located at the bottom.