I'm a former advertising executive who is appalled by the direction this country is heading in. As a result I'm setting up The AdBack Foundation, and I'm seeking some feedback about a plan I have to offer ten grants of up to $250,000 each for projects that seek to further progressive politics.
I'm wanting ideas that relate broadly to progressive politics in the United States: environmentalism, feminism, pacificism, unionism, anti-racism, anti-imperialism and social radicalism.
The emphasis will be on new and novel ideas. It is the intention for the schemes to work so it is important that they are creatively exciting. What I'm thinking is about bringing the creativity and power of advertising to progressive politics. It could be a one off-event, or an idea that builds the progressive infrastructure of politics in this country. In particular, I'm interested in projects that push the envelope in the tactics employed in social action. Anything that re-energizes progressives in one shot. I also am interested in helping new people with good ideas: I think it's particularly important that a lack of experience will not count against people.
What do people think? The full details of my idea are on AdBack.org but I'd be interested in getting some feedback about whether people think the foundation is a good idea? Does anyone have any good ideas that could use $250,000? Or should I just donate it all to the Democrats to squander on 2006 and 2008?