Are you up for the Challenge? Microsoft Introduces a New Grant Program

ChangeX recently launched the Cheyenne Community Challenge, a $50,000 fund for local groups, schools, and organizations that want to create thriving communities across Laramie County.

Supported by a Community Empowerment Fund award from Microsoft, the Cheyenne Community Challenge is designed to get funding and resources directly into the hands of citizens across Laramie County. The challenge aims to support up to 20 kick-start projects that will benefit the local community. Participants can choose from 12 ideas that have already been proven to have a positive social or environmental impact, both in the U.S. and Europe. Examples of these ideas include, “Pollinator Partnership,” a program designed to protect pollinators to ensure healthy ecosystems and food security, or “Cycling Without Age,” a Danish program that allows older people in nursing homes to maintain healthy connections with the local community through regular bicycle rides. 

After applying to the Challenge, each team has 30 days to build a small team and design an action plan to be eligible for funding. ChangeX will help provide the resources, seed funding, and support needed to start one of these projects. Microsoft has funded the grant offering at $50,000 to help citizens apply for micro-grants in the range of $500 to $5,000. 37 teams have already joined the Cheyenne Community Challenge.

“The Cheyenne Community Challenge is an opportunity for communities to come together to create thriving communities across Laramie County. We’re excited to support local action across Cheyenne and to see the collective impact we can have in building healthier, more sustainable communities” shared Holly Beale from the Microsoft Datacenter Community Development Team.

The Cheyenne Community Challenge offerings will attempt to align as much as possible to the Forward Greater Cheyenne Strategic Initiatives. The Challenge is exciting because it empowers any citizen, even school kids, to build a team, propose a project, get seed funding, and help build community momentum to move Cheyenne forward!

APPLY TO START AN IDEA