Science & Tech Demos

Hunger: Not Impossible uses a text message-driven platform to address hunger on a geo-specific level by connecting those in need with access to nutritious food sources by connecting community based organizations, local government and the private sector. Music: Not Impossible is a Vibrotextile™ wearable technology that translates sound onto the skin through vibration. Inspired by the deaf community, this technology provides all users a unique and nuanced music experience.

While 821 million people — one in nine — go hungry around the world, one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted — enough to feed more than a billion hungry people. Find out from the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and The Demand Institute how data and technology are supporting food banks and eliminating food waste in the United States and around the world through the expansion of Virtual Food Banking.

As awareness of social equity increases related to the environment; so have discussions on how to integrate sustainable techniques into the arts. Teaching sustainable fashion and natural dying techniques presents the opportunity to discuss fashion, art, history, and the impact of capitalism on the planet, indigenous technologies, and emerging technology. Furthermore, centering art in conversations that connect cross-disciplines; challenging existing assumptions about consumerism, art, and technology; increasing the awareness in sustaining the world in which we live. Presented by Chicago Center for Arts and Technology

Data can illuminate gaps and drive equity. In this session, we’ll show just how low funding to Native communities is and why that trend needs to change, using a new groundbreaking web portal jointly developed by Native Americans in Philanthropy and Candid. The portal features a funding map to let you explore what funding to Indian Country looks like. It’s a tool for funders interested in delving into this work for the first time, as well as for more experienced funders who want to increase their capacity and knowledge. Take a tour of the new portal in this session, with an eye toward transforming how we think of, and invest in, Native communities. Sponsored by Candid

Many LGBTQ asylum seekers struggle to find a safe place to turn for help during the lengthy asylum process, fearing discrimination due to their LGBTQ identity. Lawyers and nonprofits also struggle with where to refer clients. Launched in 2016, tech nonprofit AsylumConnect is the first and only resource website and app designed for LGBTQ asylum, helping connect 11,000+ users with verified LGBTQ-and immigrant-friendly services in the U.S. Presented by AsylumConnect

BBB Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) knows there’s strength in numbers. Their online tool, funded in part by an ASAE innovation grant, inspires collaboration for greater community impact by helping match organizations looking to work with others around specific categories. Users can search for collaborative opportunities posted by organizations, add or manage their own, and subscribe to weekly email notifications. And this nationwide resource portal can easily be customized to encourage collaboration among organizations within the greater Chicago area, or other communities. Presented by BBB Wise Giving Alliance

Increasingly, entities are using phone apps to engage with constituents and consumers, and foster and facilitate direct interactions and mentoring among people from diverse backgrounds. Mi Rialiti (my reality), an equity and inclusion phone app platform, enables historically marginalized people to network for social and economic empowerment. It provides an equity lens that allows users to safely capture and share real time “experiences” in writing, video, photography, and geo-code mapping; examine others’ perspectives; and build community (www.mirialiti.com). Presented by The MXD Collaborative, Inc. dba Liquid Studios

Supported by Accenture and Independent Sector, the second Innovate for Good Challenge will be awarded at Upswell Chicago during the Innovation Main Stage & Award. This challenge recognizes organizations leveraging new technology to solve some of society’s toughest challenges. This year’s finalists are applying artificial intelligence, blockchain, and extended reality in novel ways. We welcome you to join them and take a peek at these inspirational ideas for yourself! Presented by Independent Sector, Hosted by Accenture

Salvation Army is receiving fewer donations each year as their iconic red kettles become less relevant to a population moving away from analog money. Altitude created a low cost digital kettle that provides donors the option for analog or digital payment. Altitude designers drew inspiration from the iconic red kettle, making a modern kettle that integrates seamlessly into Salvation Army’s current work flow and nods to its historic look. Collaborating with Pillar, Altitude created a kettle design with a full software solution that would be ready-to-go from day one. Hosted by Accenture

Without transparency, accountability, and civic engagement – democracy doesn’t work. Change in politics – along with the divide it is causing – grows more partisan each year. Yet while politics is more polarized than ever, and with the 2020 election dominating the media, change is also happening in unexpected ways. IssueVoter (issuevoter.org) partners with organizations to engage individuals on the issues they care about and empower participation in accountable governance. Users receive email or text alerts about federal legislation, send their stance directly to their Member of Congress, and automatically track year-round representation with a individually personalized representative scorecard. Presented by IssueVoter