We stumbled across an idea so good we had to use it ourselves.  Our friends down at Ignite Baltimore (specifically Heather Sarkissian) came up with the idea of the Ignition Grant.  She wants to take the concept to other Ignites across the country, and we offered to be the first test city.
We’re giving away up to $500 at the October Ignite Wilmington event in the form of an Ignition Grant. Â We’re looking to give it to someone who doing something great to improve the quality of life in Wilmington.
The idea is to reward someone doing something good, and who is helping to move Wilmington forward. Â The Ignition Grant is seeking to do the following:
support creative and innovative projects or programs
support smaller projects and areas that may not usually receive a lot of notice or funding.
support programs/projects that are multi-dimensional.  For example a poetry slam where youth can be creative and that will also improve reading, writing and public speaking skills.
support projects and programs that are outside the mainstream, not on everyone’s radar screen
support programs that improve the quality of life in Wilmington.
deliver results within six months
No grant would be complete with small print, and here are the guidelines for the Wilmington Ignition Grant.
Winners of the award will be expected to present their results/progress at the following Ignite Wilmington event, usually around four  months from the date of the upcoming one.
While organizational programming will be considered, preference will be given to applications from individuals rather than organizations.
Organizations applying cannot use the funding for existing projects;Â only completely new initiatives will be considered.
The Ignite Wilmington grant should not be an ongoing source of support. Projects that have been awarded the Ignite Wilmington grant in the past will not be eligible to win again.
Grant maximum is $500, but you don’t need to go out of your way to spend it all.  The cheaper yours is, the more cool projects we can do!
To apply for the Ignition Grant funding, please fill out this form and e-mail it to grant@ignitewilmington.com. Please share this info with anyone who you think would be a good candidate. Â Applications are due 10/1/2010.
If you have questions, you can be reach us at info@ignitewilmington.com.
NOTE: Â Ignite tickets are currently on sale, and they are selling out quickly. Â We’re taking speaking proposals until the 12th of September, and voting ends on the 16th at noon. Â Get your submissions in now.
This is great talk from author and speaker Scott Berkun on giving an Ignite talk. Â Every proposed speaker would benefit from watching this. Â Every attendee of Ignite Wilmington #4 can use it as a guideline to help choose among the proposed talks over at the voting site:
If you’ve been “on the fence” about submitting a talk, don’t be! Â We have eleven talks already proposed, with more on the way this week. Â And please, don’t be intimidated into not submitting a talk because of the number of talks already proposed. Â The more, the merrier…and the more to choose from. Â Remember, we’re selecting some talks by votes and some by committee. Â We’re looking for a great blend of fascinating presentations.
Submissions are open until September 12, and the voting ends on September 16th. Â Please vote for the talks you like, and leave comments for our prospective speakers. Â Ask questions and give a little positive feedback!
We have a date and we have a place for the next Ignite, so mark your calendars:
The next Ignite Wilmington will be held on October 7th at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, at 6PM.
The DCH is yet another great space to hold an Ignite, right in the heart of Trolley Square. Â The folks at DCH are excited to host us, and we think it’s going to be a great venue. Â We’re kicking the event off at 6:00 PM, and the talks begin promptly at 7PM. Â We hope to carry the conversation over to one of the (many) local bars nearby after Ignite.
We have 150 tickets available to this event, and we expect they’ll go quickly. Â So don’t delay! Â You can signup here, right now:
If you’ve wanted to give an Ignite talk, here’s your chance. Â We’re trying something a little different this time, and we’re allowing prospective speakers to submit their own topics in full view of the audience. Â Everyone will be able to vote on the topics they want to hear.
You’ll have ten votes to cast, so choose wisely.  Potential speakers will continue to propose new talks over the coming weeks, so save some votes and check back often. Choose talks that sound interesting, educational, thought-provoking, and engaging. You can check the process out here:
The top six by popular vote will get in, pending discretion of curators to create a balanced event. The remaining six presentations will be selected by the Ignite Wilmington Team based on a number of factors, including diversity of topics and speakers.
A small change
Ignite Wilmington is a labor of love for those that run it. Â It takes many hours of preparation and planning to pull one off, and it’s manned entirely by volunteers. Â This time we’re charging a small fee ($5) to attend for a couple of important reasons. Â First, if offsets (some) of the costs of running the event, including food and drink. Â Second, we’ve had a lot of people in the past who sign up, but then don’t show up, so we’re trying to curb that number. Â We feel it’s a small price to pay for a great night of talks, and any proceeds from the night will be given to a local charity (which we’ll announce).
We look forward to seeing you at the Delaware Center for Horticulture on October 7! Â Please spread the word for both speakers and attendees.
Sincerely,
We’re in the process of finalizing the date and location of Wilmington’s next Ignite, which we’ll announce by the end of this week. Â This will be our fourth Ignite in the city, and we expect Ignite Wilmington #4 to be as great, if not better, than the ones in the past.
Stay tuned, but feel free to start spreading the word. Â Tickets to Wilmington’s Ignites always go fast.
Also, Â if you have dreamed of giving an Ignite presentation, now’s your chance. Â Submissions start next week, so start thinking about your talk now.
More to come! Â Check twitter (@ignitewilm) and come back soon for more details.
Despite our best efforts to get video, once again the video gods seem to be working against us. This time, the A/V crew went radio silent, so we have no idea where the vids are. If we do get some, I’ll be sure to post.
Luckily, Ken Grant videoed much of the night and was kind enough to post them on his blog. Check them out!
5pm tonight at Barclaycard’s Crescent building, the third installment of fun begins!
Live at the Barclaycard US center at 125 West Street (The crescent shaped building where Cosi is.) The entrance is in the middle of the building and just ask the guard about going upstairs (or just follow the crowd). Doors open at 5pm. Talks at 6pm. The Archer Group is sponsoring the beer and snacks to keep your tummys from getting rumbly during the talks.
Mark Mobley of the DSO will be the emcee again, keeping us entertained and the event moving!
Getting there
There is street parking and a couple of garages. It is also a short walk from the train station if that is how you are getting there. Barclays has been superstars and have agreed to cover parking in the next door garage if you bring your parking ticket for validation. You will need to be out of the garage by 9:30 or pay a hefty fee for someone to come open up the garage.
Keep the fire going
The event should end before 8pm, so use the opportunity to head out for dinner at some of the local stops in town. Firestone just opened in the spot of the old CW Harborside, and it might be worth a look.
Looking forward to another night of fun as we create sparks in Wilmington!
Ignite Wilmington #3 is tomorrow night (if you are reading this today ) at the Barclaycard Crescent Building in the Riverfront area. Visit IW3.Eventbrite.com for directions and registration info.
Final roster of speakers, barring any last minute jitters: (Order won’t be known until game time!)
Josue Sierra will speak on the power of global micro-lending (really cool, feel good stories that make you want to get up and do something)
Tom Nagle, a seasoned vet of IW1, will speak on BodyHacking: Tech, tips, and other tricks to kick ass (and bad habits)
Brian Sowards- who bat lead off in IW2 with a great story on bringing Film production to Delaware, will deliver another powerful talk entitled ‘Delaware is a Place’
Patrick Carroll director of the Delaware Humane Association will speak about his organization’s work and likely tug on our heartstrings with adorable pics of pets
Steve Roettger and Wes Garnett will be talking about what has been consuming their lives recently, the creation of Wilmington’s first co-working space, the Coin Loft
Bradford Wason will speak on the wonderful world of typography
Thomas Miller will talk about the after math Wilmington’s first Design Battle with 5 minutes of ‘Art is War’
Le’Rhone Walker who entertained us all at IW2 with the world of Drupal, will give a talk entitled ‘The 3 Myths of Top Performance “
David Holden will tell us all about the cool artist lofts opening in Wilmington known as Shipley Lofts.
Special thanks to Gary Phillips and the students of Delcastle High School‘s legendary digital media program for videoing the night’s events.
Next Thursday the fun continues with Ignite Wilmington #3 at BarclayCard’s Crescent building!
This time the event starts at 5pm, giving you plenty of time to continue the Wilmington experience with dinner in town. We need some volunteers to video and help keep the event moving along. Please email us at ignitewilmington@gmail.com if you can help.
Here are those agreeing to the 5 minute bull ride for us all to witness with envy (keeping with tradition, the order wont be known until gametime):
Josue Sierra will speak on the power of global micro-lending (really cool, feel good stories that make you want to get up and do something)
Tom Nagle, a seasoned vet of IW1, will speak on BodyHacking: Tech, tips, and other tricks to kick ass (and bad habits)
Brian Sowards- who bat lead off in IW2 with a great story on bringing Film production to Delaware, will deliver another powerful talk entitled ‘Delaware is a Place’
Steve Roettger and Wes Garnett will be talking about what has been consuming their lives recently, the creation of Wilmington’s first co-working space, the Coin Loft
Bradford Wason will speak on the wonderful world of typography
Thomas Miller will talk about the after math Wilmington’s first Design Battle with 5 minutes of ‘Art is War’
Le’Rhone Walker who entertained us all at IW2 with the world of Drupal, will give a talk entitled ‘The 3 Myths of Top Performance “
David Holden will tell us all about the cool artist lofts opening in Wilmington known as Shipley Lofts.
It looks to be a great mix of talks and a great night for all! Don’t miss it. Ticket’s are free, but required! Register at iw3.eventbrite.com.
Ignite Wilmington #3 is gaining steam! This time we are on the Riverfront with the doors opening at 5pm so you don’t have to leave the city and come back! Register at iw3.eventbrite.com. Its free, but registration is required since space is limited.
A few more speakers have been selected for the 5 minute bull ride:
Josue Sierra will speak on the power of global micro-lending (really cool, feel good stories that make you want to get up and do something)
Tom Nagle, a seasoned vet of IW1, will speak on BodyHacking: Tech, tips, and other tricks to kick ass (and bad habits)
A couple more slots exist to speak. Let us know if you have a quirky topic to share with a room full of friends you haven’t yet met. IgniteWilmington@GMail.com.
Thanks to all who have submitted their speaking ideas. And thanks to the Nigerian government for the cash award notifications! While we are still deciding, so if you submitted and aren’t on this list, don’t worry. These three just jumped out as examples of the cool kind of stuff we are looking for.
Brian Sowards- who bat lead off in IW2 with a great story on bringing Film production to Delaware, will deliver another powerful talk entitled ‘Delaware is a Place’
Steve Roettger and Wes Garnett will be talking about what has been consuming their lives recently, the creation of Wilmington’s first co-working space, the Coin Loft
Bradford Wason will speak on the wonderful world of typography
What are you passionate about? While you may slave away in the cube farm during the day, surely you would want to talk about your love of 12 string guitars, 8-bit music generation or how to cook on your 4 cylinder engine. Keep it quirky! Submit your ideas to IgniteWilmington@GMail.com
Too shy to get on stage? Get over it! Still too shy? Then register to attend at iw3.eventbrite.com. It’s free, but registration is required, space is limited, and if you buy now….
Ignite Wilmington is a night of presentations with a twist. Presenting on a subject of their choice, speakers have exactly five minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire—backed by twenty slides auto-advancing every fifteen seconds. Quick, fun, and smart, Ignite sells out the largest venues in Wilmington.
) at the Barclaycard Crescent Building in the Riverfront area. Visit 
