Hot Dish
Date: February 24th
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Location TBD
Cost: $5 for Hot Dish and a Vote
Join us at Hot Dish — a microgranting dinner ON February 24th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at a location in Detroit Lakes to be announced. Hot Dish is designed to support creative projects that bring people together and build a stronger community.
For just $5, you’ll enjoy a delicious serving of hotdish, fresh bread, and the chance to vote on inspiring ideas aimed at making Detroit Lakes a more connected place.
Anyone can apply to pitch an idea to build community.
- Apply below by midnight CST on February 9th.
- If you are selected as a finalist, we will notify you.
- Four finalists will be selected to pitch at our Hot Dish event.
- Attendees will vote for the winner!
$5 gets you a serving of hotdish and a vote!
How Does It Work?
At Hot Dish, local presenters will share their community-building ideas that they want to spearhead. These projects can range from simple, easily achievable initiatives to more ambitious undertakings. Click here for sample ideas.
What to expect at the event:
- Each presenter has 4 minutes to pitch their idea.
- Audience members can ask up to 4 questions after each presentation.
- Discuss the ideas wit others before casting your vote.
- Vote for the project you believe will best benefit Detroit Lakes and its residents.
- The presenter with the most votes wins all the money collected at the door to fund their project + 2 brainstorming/marketing sessions with Project 412 staff.
- The remaining finalists will get one group brainstorming/marketing session with Project 412 staff.
$5 gets you a serving of hotdish and a vote!
Why Sign Up?
- Win Funding: The presenter with the most votes will take home all the money raised at the door to jumpstart their project.
- Expert Guidance: The winner also gets 2 personalized brainstorming and marketing sessions with the creative team at Project 412, giving you tailored advice on how to bring your idea to life and spread the word effectively.
- Valuable Support for All Finalists: Even if you don’t win, all finalists will receive a group brainstorming and marketing session with Project 412 staff. You’ll still walk away with actionable insights and connections to help push your project forward.
- Gain Momentum for Your Idea: You’ll get valuable feedback on your idea, and finalists will get their idea shared in the community through press and the event.
Guidelines for Pitching a Hot Dish Idea:
- You must be willing to spearhead your project.
- Your proposal doesn’t need to be a novel. Keep it short, quick and to the point!
- Your cool idea can be about ANYTHING that helps build community!
- Your project must be in the idea stage and not yet an established community activity.
- The idea must directly impact the Detroit Lakes area.
- You do not have to be a resident of Detroit Lakes to submit an idea.
- We DO NOT use technology to present (aka PowerPoint or things that are based on the idea of the projector). Keep it simple. Sell us on your idea.
- We will notify finalists selected to pitch 2 weeks prior to the event.
Criteria to be considered when voting include:
- Does this bring positive energy and buzz to the Detroit Lakes area?
- Does this build community?
- Why is this project important? Is there a clear problem and solution?
- Is this a viable plan?
FAQ
Questions?
Find out more here!
There is a $5 suggested donation to attend (gets you a serving of hotdish and a vote). Some may donate more or less. We don’t want money to be a barrier to being a part of this event.
We strongly encourage RSVPs so we can plan for food.
No. You will pay at the door.
- Empower residents to take action and lead.
- Build stronger relationships between neighbors.
- Foster collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose.
- Encourage simple, impactful initiatives that anyone can start.
- Promote pride in Detroit Lakes by supporting community-driven ideas.
- This idea is based off of SOUP in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Absolutely! Hot Dish is a family-friendly event for all ages
You do! If you're at the event, you get to cast a vote.
Everyone gets one vote, but you’re welcome to donate more to help fund these great ideas!
Not entirely. The Hot Dish team carefully reviews each applicant and selects those with well-thought-out plans. Those not chosen will receive feedback on how to improve their pitch. The winner, decided by your votes, will be required to provide regular updates as they work to complete their project.
While we have built accountability into Hot Dish, this event is built on trust. We understand there may be challenges along the way, but by offering support and encouragement, we believe amazing things can happen!
Types of Projects Can You Expect
Easily Achievable Ideas:
- Community Clean-Up Days: Organizing small groups of neighbors to pick up litter in parks or around the neighborhood, creating a cleaner, more welcoming environment.
- Neighborhood Bulletin Boards: Setting up physical or online spaces where neighbors can post local events, share resources, or offer services.
- Book or Tool Swap: Hosting a small gathering where residents can exchange books, tools, or household items, promoting sharing and reducing waste.
- Walking Clubs: Organizing regular group walks where people can meet and chat while exploring the town, encouraging healthy activity and new friendships
- Front Yard Meet-and-Greets: Encouraging neighbors to host casual get-togethers on their lawns or porches, fostering easy social connections without a big commitment.
- Larger-Scale Projects:
- Community Gardens: Starting a shared garden where neighbors can grow their own food, learn about gardening, and work together.
- Local Art or Craft Fairs: Hosting small pop-up markets where local artists and makers can showcase their work, supporting local talent and providing opportunities for neighbors to connect.
- Public Art Installations: Creating a mural or community art project that reflects the spirit of Detroit Lakes and encourages residents to contribute.
- Youth Engagement Programs: Organizing after-school activities or workshops where kids can learn new skills and meet friends in a safe, welcoming environment.
- Outdoor Movie Nights: Setting up a projector in a local park for residents to gather and enjoy movies under the stars, creating a fun and relaxing community event.
Don't miss this chance to hone your skills and dish your hot idea.
No previous experience necessary!
APPLY by midnight CST on FEBRUARY 9th