“There’s so much untapped potential for great nonprofit leaders to change the world if philanthropy can be unleashed productively, and Upswell is the best gathering place to be with remarkable leaders.” So says William Foster, partner at The Bridgespan Group and head of consulting at the firm. With a growing number of philanthropists stepping up…
According to The Hop Review, “For many Chicagoans familiar with the city’s indie arts and culture scene, indie publication scene, bar and dining scene, craft beer scene—or just the neighborhood of Bridgeport in general—it’s likely they’ve heard of Ed Marszewski. Simply put, the co-founder of Marz Community Brewing Co. has his hand in a lot…
We hope you’ve had a chance to check out the lineup for Chicago Inside & Out – a dozen thoughtfully designed experiences, all guided by dynamic community leaders across Chicago. These immersive tours are a cornerstone of the Upswell experience, which is all about going deep locally to uncover enriching and surprising insights that apply…
Want to tell your story to millions of people? StoryCorps, a national oral history project, is coming to Upswell’s Public Square this November and changemakers like you will have a chance to record your story in their MobileBooth. Who has been the biggest influence on your life as a changemaker? What lasting change have you…
Kenny Johnson is a natural marketer, promoter, event planner, and entrepreneur, with a passion for public service. He’s been at it for almost 30 years, ever since he was a 19-year-old student at the University of Virginia. The Bureau Bar and Restaurant, which opened earlier this year, is Kenny’s fourth venture and the site of…
Could we alleviate poverty more quickly if scholars, communities, and policymakers worked together? H. Luke Shaefer, Ph.D. thinks so. He’s director of Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, and says data and action-based partnerships can help changemakers make headway on the intractable challenge of poverty. Read on to learn how an epiphany he experienced…
Imagine the progress we could make toward ending poverty if scholars, communities, and policymakers worked collaboratively on this complex and intractable issue. Luke Shaefer, Ph.D., director of Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, says “there’s tremendous potential in action-based partnerships between communities and university researchers to really make headway on issues that can seem…
The community dinner at Sinhá (pronounced Seen-yah’, which means “lady of the house”) may be happening in Chicago, but rest assured the delectable cuisine will be 100% Brazilian. As noted on their website, “The food preparation is totally authentic and so is the chef.” That chef is Jorgina Pereira – born, raised, and educated in…
What kind of language do you use to talk about civic engagement? Perhaps you, like many working in this corner of changework, use terms like activism, justice, and democratic participation. Have you considered how words like those may resonate with some audiences but not others? Adiel Suarez-Murias, communications and marketing director at Philanthropy for Active…
These days, words like activism, equity, justice, and democracy are commonplace in our field, describing both the values and substance of our work. But what do these words mean to everyday Americans? Earlier this year, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) released the findings of its Civic Language Perceptions Project, a nationally representative survey and…