Eligibility

  1. The Gratitude Project is gospel-minded. Qualifying projects should:

    • Embody the empathy of Jesus

    • Be holistic in nature and as such, should understand and attempt to tackle the root causes of the problem it is trying to solve

    • Be meaningful

    • Be long-lasting in both impact and vision and should create a systemic solution to systemic problems

  2. The Gratitude Project is faith-based and Christian values will inform and be applied to the screening and judging process.

  3. Applicants in all stages of their project, from the idea stage to fully established, are welcome. However, weight will be given during the review process to new and innovative solutions or programs. The Gratitude Project is not risk-averse and welcomes idea stage ventures.

  4. The impact of the proposed idea or program must be local to and target social challenges in distressed neighborhoods within the town limits of Mount Olive, North Carolina.

What Are We Looking For?

  1. How the model has the ability to create a clear social impact.

  2. How the model has kingdom-minded implications and impact.

  3. The impact thesis (theory of change) and how the impact will be measured (specific outcomes).

  4. How the model is innovative in character.

  5. A thorough understanding of the problem being tackled as well as the landscape of others working on the same issues.

Technical Criteria Categories

The judges will use the following criteria to evaluate your proposal:

  • Degree of overall innovation

  • Degree of overall social impact

  • Kingdom-minded inspiration

  • Personal capacity of individual and team

  • Learning / Problem understanding

  • Time to scalable growth

  • Clear articulation of obstacles and risks

  • Funding model and sustainability plan

  • Degree of personal commitment

What You Will Get

  • A chance at receiving awards from a pool of $100,000

  • Access to mentorship and Skills Coaches

  • Prayer Partner support

  • Business plan development and pitch practice

  • Labs designed to facilitate community, fellowship and the integration of your venture and faith

  • Community and networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs

  • Potential partnership possibilities with First Baptist Mount Olive