1882 Foundation “Open Mic” Event Collaboration Request Form

The 1882 Foundation welcomes opportunities to collaborate with individuals on “Open Mic” programs that advance our mission and create meaningful opportunities for education, dialogue, and community engagement.

To help us plan ahead and ensure adequate time for coordination and promotion, we ask individuals interested in collaborating on a Talk Story event to follow the guidelines below.

1. Submit Requests as Early as Possible

We encourage partners to submit “Open Mic” requests at least 4 weeks before the proposed event date. Earlier requests are strongly encouraged, as the 1882 Foundation will need to ensure staff can be available to stay for the duration of the event. All Open Mic events will take place at the 1882 Foundation Office (unless the individual has separately arranged a venue).

2. What to Include in Your Request

• Proposed event date and time
• Proposed topic or theme
• Brief description of the program
• Speaker(s), moderator(s), and/or other participants
• Intended attendees/audience
• Sponsoring or collaborating organization(s)

3. What You Will Be Responsible For…

• Marketing to potential attendees through your own networks.
• Setting-up and managing event registration.
• Developing the “Open Mic” program content, bringing all related materials, and ensuring the availability of all speakers (if more than one).
• Funding the event, if any cost is involved.

4. What the 1882 Foundation Will Provide…

• 1882 Foundation office space on 508 I St NW, Washington, DC 20036. Staff will be onside during the duration of the program.
• Promotion on the 1882 Foundation’s IG @1882Foundation. The 1882 Foundation does not guarantee a minimum number of attendees – this is the responsibility of the individual proposing the “Open Mic” program.

5. Last-Minute Requests

We recognize that timely opportunities sometimes arise with limited notice. The 1882 Foundation will consider requests received less than four weeks before an event on a case-by-case basis.

Requests received less than two weeks before the proposed event date may be difficult to accommodate. In these circumstances, the Foundation may be able to participate only in a limited capacity or may recommend postponing the program to allow sufficient time for planning and promotion.

For events organized on short notice (with less than four weeks’ notice), promotional opportunities may be more limited.

6. Our Goal

Our goal is to work collaboratively with partners to create thoughtful, engaging, and well-organized “Open Mic” programs.

We appreciate your interest in collaborating with the 1882 Foundation and encourage you to contact us as early as possible to discuss potential “Open Mic” opportunities.