CITIZEN TEAMS

If given the funding and resources, what could you do to better your community? At the 24 HCP, we’ll connect your idea with the expertise and backing to make it happen.
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Citizen Team Application Deadline: August 29, 2024

How It Works

Dream it

Come up with an idea for the community, and we’ll connect you with the right people to make it happen.

Pitch it

Once your idea has been vetted, you’ll get 3 minutes to pitch to a panel of financial backers and an audience cheering you on.

Fund it

Backers decide which projects get funded, and announce winners.

Do it

Once funded, it’s time to get to work! The 24 HCP team will follow your progress until the project is completed.

Prior Citizen Team Winners

Barbers, Boys, and Books

Barbers, Boys, and Books

November 13, 2023
Sensory Grooves

Sensory Grooves

November 13, 2023
Abby’s Acre

Abby’s Acre

November 13, 2023
Acadiana Art Closet

Acadiana Art Closet

November 13, 2023
Fais “Doo Doo”

Fais “Doo Doo”

November 13, 2023

What is a Project?

  • A project is an idea that improves the greater good of the community in a specific way.
  • A project must be in the public realm.
  • A project should be feasible enough to be built/completed by a team of citizens.
  • A project that is pitched during the event should not exceed $10,000.
  • A project is something that may be replicated and may serve as an example to other cities.
  • A project may fit into any of the following categories: Public Art, Public Spaces, Fun, Aesthetics, Food/Farming, Cultural Amenities, Preservation of Natural Ecosystem, Walkability/Bikeability, Recreation.
  • A project must be honest and clearly presented. Projects can’t mislead people or misrepresent facts, and creators should be candid about what they plan to accomplish.
  • A project must be completed at least 1 year of funding.

What is NOT a Project?

  • A project is not intended to be a platform for groups to support their general cause or agenda.
  • A project is not a funding mechanism for organizational budget shortfalls

Citizen Team FAQs

Before The Event

Should I participate?

Here’s a couple of questions to ponder in making your decision: Do you have an idea for the community (big or small), and not sure how to get it done? Do you feel disengaged and not sure how to contribute to the community? If so, then you’ll likely find that this event is for you. You’ll experience a fun and creative weekend of where we bring together all the people in the community to make things happen. It’s an opportunity to network, and engage with community movers and shakers. There are four ways to participate: Citizen Team, Backer, Expert, or just attend the pitch event.

What is a Citizen Team?

A Citizen Team are people with ideas for the community. Just as an entrepreneur may have an idea for a business, citizens have ideas for the community. Citizen Teams may consist of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or even strangers to participate in a fun and creative weekend of bringing great ideas to reality.At the 24 Hour Citizen Project, we’ll connect your vision with the expertise and financial backers to make it happen. Be prepared to experience the ups and downs of pursuing your idea, an incredible sense of accomplishment, and the encouragement given to you by your fellow citizens cheering you on – in just 24 hours!

Participating is easy:

  1. Submit an idea (for review by the Selection Committee)
  2. Form a team (of friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even strangers to help you with your idea)
  3. Prepare to pitch. (We’ll provide you with experts before and during the event if your idea is chosen, including a pitch coach)
  4. Pitch your idea for funding (Saturday night).
  5. Build your funded project. Your team will be responsible for coming up with a plan to get the project done and for executing the project after the event is over. Note that the 24HCP follows and promotes your team’s progress every step of the way.
Why are citizens required to build a team?
We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village…” And when it comes to pursuing community projects, that is also true. There’s plenty work to get done in a short amount of time. You’ll need the extra helping hand. Trust us, you’ll thank us later that you have teammates to lean on at some point during the weekend! The ideal team is 5 people. For the purpose of the event, each team will nominate one person to be the ‘Team Lead.’ This person will be responsible for pitching (or delegating the pitch) during the event, and leading their teammates to a successful project if funded.
I'm ready to get started... how do I apply?

Easy. Here is the link to apply. Note that attending doesn’t require registration.

Once I apply as a Citizen Team, what happens next?
First off, the application deadline for registering as a Citizen Team (applying to pitch) is August 31st. There is a Selection Committee that reviews all ideas, and chooses which ideas participate/pitch during the event. The committee takes into consideration the factors such as cost, feasibility, impact on community and likelihood of funding. Once chosen, we’ll announce the ideas approximately 3 weeks prior to the event.
I'm part of a team... what should I bring?
  • Laptop if you are your team need to meet, or you need to finalize your presentation (Friday)
  • Pens/pencils/paper (if you’re old school) (Friday)
  • Visuals, props or mock ups (if applicable) that help aid in sharing your project with Experts (Friday) and Backers (Saturday).
  • Friends to help cheer your team on (there may or may not be a crowd favorite vote ;-))
  • Camera (you’ll take lots of pictures)
  • Creative energy!
How do I prepare for the pitch?
  • Try to do research on your idea ahead of time. Think about things like feasibility, cost, impact on the community as a whole, and make sure that it fits into our guidelines for an approved project.
  • Share your idea. Sharing your idea ahead of time with people is key. It will help you with your pitch and get feedback ahead of the event.
  • Start thinking about what you need to pursue the idea. And let us know so that we can recruit that expertise to be present to you before and during the event.
  • Begin the vetting process. We strongly encourage you to begin the process early. You can use the event to put the final touches on the project.
What types of ideas can I pitch?
We’ve given a lot of thought to this question as projects come in all different shapes and sizes. To help with this effort, we have a committee that evaluates all ideas against the guidelines below:

A project is…
– A project is anything that improves the greater good of the community in a specific way; expenditures of project should be clearly defined; projects cannot offer backers fiscal gain.
– A project must be in the public realm.
– A project should be feasible enough to be built/completed by a team of citizens.
– A project that is pitched during the event should not exceed $10,000; the lower the cost = the higher probability of funding. Note: The total project cost may exceed $10,000, but the amount pitched should not exceed $10,000 (relevant when Citizen Teams find organizations or individual donors to match funds or partially fund the project prior to the event) 
– A project is something that may be replicated and may serve as an example to other cities.
– A project may fit into any of the following categories: Public Art, Public Spaces, Fun, Aesthetics, Food/Farming, Cultural Amenities, Preservation of Natural Ecosystem, Walkability/Bikeability, Recreation.
– Projects must be honest and clearly presented. Projects can’t mislead people or misrepresent facts, and creators should be candid about what they plan to accomplish.
– A project must be completed at least 1 year of funding.

A project is NOT…
– A project is not intended to be a platform for groups to support their general cause or agenda.
– A project is not a funding mechanism for organizational budget shortfalls.

Past projects include:
Public art installations, community gardens, drinking water fountains in neighborhoods, bus stop prototype, improvements to bike path, rain garden, musical instrument library.

Other Guidelines:
– An organization associated with a team cannot participate as a backer during the event, though can commit to partially funding (or match funding) in an effort to reduce the total funding amount pitched during the event.
– The total funding amount requested by a project during the event must be the total amount needed to complete the project. Additional funding following the event is highly discouraged.

What happens if my idea is not chosen by the Selection Committee?
This may happen, and it’s ok. There are limitations to what projects we can allow compete during the 24 HCP. If you love the idea, we highly recommend that you still consider pursuing the idea, and obtain funding through other avenues.

During The Event

What happens on Friday night?
Friday night is for Citizen Teams and Experts only (Backers Optional). This portion of the event is not open to the public.
  • 5:00PM – Citizen Team Meeting/Review of Registration Packet (Citizen Teams only)
  • 6:00PM – Experts arrive. Social begins. Refreshments served.
  • 630PM
    • 24 Hour Citizen Project toast
    • Citizen Team Idea Exchange (1 minute pitch from Team Leader)
  • 6:45PM – Expert/Citizen Team meetings begin
  • 9:30PM – Last expert meeting ends. Teams can continue to work on as needed basis.
  • 10:00PM – Cookie conversations (night recap)
  • 11:00PM – Teams work into the night.

(Times approximate)

The goal of the night is to set your project up with subject matter experts that will help your project along. By the end of Friday night, you should be fully prepared for your pitch on Saturday. At the conclusion of the night, teams will have the option to utilize the venue as a work place. Some teams may need to use it, while others not.
What happens on Saturday morning?
On Saturday morning, the Citizen Teams will have the option to polish their final pitch before the pitch event, and will also finalize their presentation as well.
  • 9:00AM – Pitch practice begins (teams sign up in 30 minute increments)  / Teams use venue for workplace, if needed.
  • 1:30PM – Presentations due to info@24hourcitizenproject.com
What happens on Saturday evening?
The Pitch Event happens on Saturday!

  • 5:00PM – Backer and Team Mingle (Note: Teams will will have a private meeting with Backers one hour before the start of the event. This is an opportunity to sell your project to the backers before your final pitch)
  • 6:00PM – Doors open to public; Audience visits with Citizen Teams
  • 7:15PM – Pitches begin (3 minutes / team)
  • 8:15PM – Backer huddle (Backers decide winners)
  • 8:30PM – End of Backer huddle. Announcement of winners.
  • 9:00PM – Event ends. Party continues.

During the final pitch event, each Team Leader will be given 3 minutes on stage to pitch their project showing visuals on the projection. Following the pitch, the backers will have a couple minutes for Q&A. After all pitches are completed, the backers will huddle, and announce the winners.

Can I just attend without participating?
Of course! Come sit back, have some fun, and join the party. Be prepared to show your support to the Citizen Teams through lots of cheering, yelling, hugs, and high fives. We treat the event as a celebration of community. You should too!
Do Citizen Teams have to work the entire 24 hours?
No. Some teams may need to work longer hours than others. It’s completely up to you and the progress that you’ve made leading up to the event.
What happens if my idea is not funded at all?
This is completely fine. Not all ideas will be funded. It’s equally important to understand that sharing ideas and being part of the process allows you to connect with people in the community that you wouldn’t have had the opportunity of doing otherwise. Remember… “It’s the journey. Not the destination.” And just because your project is not funded doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to seek funding after the event is over. In fact, we’ve had several examples where projects have not been funded, and have gone on to completion.

After The Event

What happens after my team's project has been funded?
The work doesn’t stop just yet… in fact, it’s just beginning. After the event, you can expect the 24HCP to follow your progress until your project is completed. We want everyone in the community to know what you are working on, and how it’s getting done. The 24 Hour Citizen Project will be a vehicle for communicating project updates to the public. The following requirements are expected:

  • One month project update due to Backers and the 24HCP team  
  • First quarterly project update to Backers and 24HCP team
  • Second quarterly project update to Backers and 24HCP team
  • Third quarterly project update to Backers and 24HCP team
  • Fourth quarterly project update to Backers and 24HCP team
How are project updates provided to the 24HCP team?
Updates will be published in a series of “Dear Community” letters written by the project’s Team Leader (on a quarterly basis). The letters are intended to be exactly how they sound – a letter to your community from you providing an update on your project. The letters will be used by the 24HCP to publish updates about your project to our website, social media accounts and blogs used for media outlets.

A central theme of the 24HCP is how self-directed (i.e., citizen led) projects are key to building communities. Everything you do is intended to be documented and shared with other communities with hopes that it can be replicated. That said, we’ll expect you to remember how you implemented the project, including the highs, lows, mistakes and key decisions to your success.

Will my project be publicized if funded?
Yes. Each project is expected to participate in ongoing promotional activities and materials throughout the year (e.g. radio interview, blog post, videos).
What's the timeline for project completion?
It is expected that your project be completed within one year of funding. If not, the team is required to continue providing reports quarterly until project completion.
Can the Team Leader change after the event?
If the project’s Team Leader cannot see the project to completion, it is expected that another member of your team participate to continue the commitment.
Will there be other events like this?
Absolutely. Our goal is to continue this event so that we (you) can continue to activate citizens.

Citizen Team Application

Complete the form below if you would like to apply as a Citizen Team for 2024. Prior to submitting your application to participate in the 24 Hour Citizen Project, please read the FAQs and review the definition of a “project” above.

Open Application in Google Forms