What if foundations gave grants to individuals instead of charities? This talk explains how People's Liberty in Cincinnati is investing in place by directly investing in people, through civic sabbaticals and other grants to local residents interested in making a difference.

Eric Avner has built his life building cities, specifically Cincinnati, Ohio. He currently oversees community development investments for the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, maintaining a focus on strengthening Cincinnati’s distinctive urban neighborhoods, building a talented regional workforce, and encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Eric also oversees People’s Liberty (peoplesliberty.org), the foundation’s 8,000 square foot philanthropic lab, as an experimental platform for innovative grant making.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx