The Next Economy Fund
A pilot initiative to democratically deploy resources within the Next Economy MBA network by the Next Economy MBA alumni - growing the bridge to support emergent endeavors.
We cannot create what we cannot imagine and we cannot grow the Next Economy without practicing new ways of relating to resources.
Announcing the launch of the Next Economy Fund, exclusively for the Next Economy MBA community. This pilot is a laboratory for democratic finance and peer support.
Interested in joining our September 30th cohort? Get coffee with us!
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. Sign up for a 15 min coffee chat with a LIFT Partner to learn more about the program, ask questions, and get to know one of our facilitators ahead of our orientation on September 26th and program start date.
The Vision: Moving Resources, Together.
Sharing a vision and sharing resources.
The Next Economy Fund is designed to provide real value to the network while testing a hypothesis: that the community has the wisdom to democratically allocate resources to the projects that most fully embody the principles of a regenerative economy.
The Pilot: Starting in 2026, we are launching an experimental pilot to award $5,000 to a Next Economy social enterprise or project started or led by Next Economy MBA participants or alumni.
The Future: We are planting a seed. While we are starting small, our vision is ambitious. If this pilot proves successful, we aim to significantly grow the fund over the coming decade and to ultimately establish a $1 million standing revolving loan fund to support the ecosystem.
How It Works: Democratic Governance
Unlike grants decided by a closed-door of "experts," the Next Economy Fund is democratically voted upon by the alumni network itself.
1. Eligibility: The fund is available only to individuals or organizations led by those enrolled in the Next Economy MBA (current participants or alumni).
2. Application: Participants submit a simple proposal describing their project, its stage of development, and how it integrates Next Economy principles. (Proposal form to come)
3. Governance: Using the Hylo alumni group, and Special Sessions of the MBA where applicants share more in a Q&A format about their project, the entire MBA alumni network reviews proposals and votes. In this pilot phase, we are utilizing a "one person, one vote" mechanism to select the recipient.
Transparency
In the spirit of the Next Economy principle of Embodied Transparency, we want to be clear about the nature of this initiative:
This is an Experiment: We are piloting this concept. We do not know the outcome, but we are committed to not replicating domination or scarcity-based paradigms.
The Amount: We know that $5,000 is not enough to fund an entire enterprise. However, we know it can be meaningful to take a critical next step—whether that is hiring a lawyer, acquiring essential equipment, or funding a feasibility study.
The Source: For this initial experiment, LIFT Economy is providing the funds from our operating budget.
Why Join the Next Economy MBA?
Vision for the Next Economy MBA Community
By 2034, LIFT Economy envisions a Next Economy MBA Alumni network of 5,000 members, collaborating on key Next Economy infrastructure through developing Next Economy institutions and endeavors, accessing substantial resources, creating and disseminating transformative media, hiring one another and building bioregional economies that act as safety nets for folks to divest from the Business-as-Usual economy.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Next Economy Fund:
- Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Next Economy Fund. Do I need to be a 501(c)3?
- A: The fund is available exclusively to individuals or organizations led or started by individuals who have enrolled in the Next Economy MBA. This includes both current participants and alumni. While the funds will not need to be repaid, you also do not need to be a 501(c)3 to be eligible.
- Q: How is the "winner" selected?
- A: The recipient is selected through a democratic voting process on Hylo, our community platform. Only Next Economy MBA participants and alumni are eligible to vote. Whereas the Next Economy Fund is starting so small that there will likely only be one projected selected for funding in the pilot, we do envision later stages of the development of the Fund to enable alumni to select multiple projects to receive funding. We don't believe in "winners" and "losers," but we do recognize that certain projects will be selected for funding and others will not.
- Q: What kind of projects are you looking for?
- A: Applications must demonstrate how they are integrating Next Economy principles (in fact or in plan) and identify their current stage of development. We are looking for projects that embody the vision of an economy that works for the benefit of all life.
- Q: Is this a grant or a loan?
- A: For this pilot, the funding is awarded as a grant/sponsorship and does not require repayment. The individual or organization receiving the funds will receive a 1099 tax form from LIFT Economy.
- Q: Where does the money come from?
- A: LIFT Economy is providing the original source of funds for this initial experiment. If successful, we plan to look to our network and partners to grow the fund amount in future years.
- Q: What if I don't have a fully formed business yet?
- A: That is okay. The fund is designed to help projects at various stages. Even $5,000 can be used to take an idea to the "feasibility stage" or verify a concept.
- Q: I am an alumni, how do I join the alumni Hylo group to be able to participate in the selection process?
- A: Please review the resources sheet for your cohort which includes a link to join the Hylo Next Economy MBA Community group or just reach out to community at lifteconomy dot com.