Have ideas, need funds? Meet ioby! Posted on January 26, 2017 by Grounded Strategies Share this post Do you have an idea for a community project but no funding to get it off the ground? We’d like to introduce you to ioby. It’s an amazing organization dedicated to helping neighbors grow and implement great ideas one block at a time. ioby’s crowd-resourcing platform connects leaders with funding and support to make our neighborhoods safer, greener, more livable and more fun. While ioby is a national organization, they recently opened a branch in Pittsburgh! We want to introduce you to one of the organization’s newest members. Miriam Parson is ioby’s Pittsburgh Action Strategist. We asked her some questions to learn more about ioby: Q: There are lots of cities where ioby could open a new office. Why Pittsburgh? A: ioby mobilizes neighbors who have good ideas to become powerful citizen leaders who plan, fund and make positive change in their own neighborhoods. We believe that neighbors know what’s best for their neighborhood, so we support community-led projects of all kinds. ioby chooses cities with strong social fabric and civic engagement. Our hometown has strong, active neighborhoods and committed experts to support our ideas, and so ioby is a training experience to activate community donations. We are creating a future in which our neighborhoods are shaped by the powerful good ideas of our own neighbors. Q: How can ioby help me raise funds for a project? A: Anyone can submit an idea to me at ioby.org/idea, then I’ll follow up to gain a full understanding of your vision, offer answers to questions, and help you plan your fundraising goal. With a clear project vision, you’ll build a project story such as those at ioby.org/Pittsburgh. We will then provide one on one coaching to learn and practice the skills for you to raise community donations. ioby is the only crowdsource organization that provides coaching every step of the way. We are a nonprofit that serves your vision in your neighborhood. Q: ioby is about more than raising funds, right? What else can ioby do for me? A: The coaching that ioby provides teaches community-based marketing skills for a high return rate on donation requests. These skills can translate to future projects that you want to do in your neighborhood. And through the outreach process for your ioby project, you’ll get to know more of your neighbors in Pittsburgh. Typically a 5-mile radius donates to a project with us. Q: Where did the name ioby come from? A: ioby:In Our Backyards is founded in the belief that neighbors know what’s best for their neighborhood. So, we support our neighbors to build positive projects in our backyard, on our blocks. Q: I’m ready to get on board with ioby! Where do I get started? A: Anyone can submit a project idea at ioby.org/idea. I will personally email and call you to get started.