Nonprofits urged to apply for $15,000 from SparkTank
All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Natrona County are urged to apply to Casper College’s SparkTank 2025 to win up to $15,000. Applications are due by Friday, March 7.
The Casper College SparkTank initiative is inspired by a similar program at the University of Wyoming and the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” according to Rachel Chadderdon, dean for the Casper College School of Business and Industry. “Our goal is to bring CC students, local nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs together to support underserved community needs in Natrona County,” said Rachel Macy, project coordinator.
Social venture nonprofits serving the arts, community mental health, and other underserved community purposes are especially encouraged to apply. Each nonprofit must submit its proposed community service project and include a link to a video pitch that is no longer than four minutes, explaining to the judges why they should support it.
Criteria will include a clear purpose that serves a community benefit in Natrona County, clear and specific information about the use of funds requested from SparkTank, a clear description of why the person applying and their team are best suited to accomplish the proposed project, and a clear ask for a specific amount of funding desired to support the proposed project. There is no entry fee for the competition.
According to Macy, the vetting and judging of submissions will be completed by March 28, and finalists will be notified at that time. A finalist pitch night at Casper College will occur on Friday, April 11. At the end of the community event, the judges will announce the winning nonprofits and award the grant proceeds.
For more information and to apply, go here.
SparkTank is possible thanks to a $10,000 grant from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation and internal funds through Casper College. The Casper College Foundation, Casper College School of Business and Industry, and the Casper College Economics Club sponsor the Casper College SparkTank. The project is led by Casper College students active in the Casper College Economics Club sponsored by Jim Chappelow, business instructor. The Casper College SparkTank will help students as they learn and implement the philanthropic process, which mirrors venture capital models to benefit local nonprofits.