About

Events Committee

Do you love planning events and bringing energetic people together? We are always looking for volunteers to help us plan events – whether it’s a networking, fundraising, or volunteering event, your time and skills are always appreciated. Reach out to anyone on our Steering Committee to learn how you can get involved.

Communications Committee

Did you know that 40 Below is completely volunteer based? We have a small group of dedicated individuals working on maintaining our social media accounts, website, and email. If you love communications and want to join our volunteer communications brigade, please reach out to anyone on the Steering Committee – and we’ll put you in touch with the right contact.

Strategic Partners

We partner with dozens of local businesses and individuals who share our mission of making Syracuse a vibrant place to work and live. We have partnered with groups to host events, provide volunteer support, and promote local events. We love big ideas and hearing what you are up, so please reach out if you are interested in partnering with 40 Below.

Fresh Idea Partners

Last year, 40 Below’s Fresh Ideas Summit provided $10,000 in seed funding to organizations committed to the revitalization of Syracuse. The community engagement project competition served as a forum to voice community needs and interests. The winners are briefly highlighted below.

CNY Library Resources Council (CLRC)
Awarded $6,000 by 40 Below

The Central New York Library Resources Council (CLRC) will provide Google Chromebook units and Wi-Fi Hotspot technology available from Onondaga County Public Libraries located in the city of Syracuse through the CNYFi Program. CLRC will conduct training and educational seminars using volunteers. During 2016 technology units will be utilized and monitored, and a curriculum for trainings will be developed for the benefit of low income communities that often lack access to high speed broadband and internet access. Initial library locations include White Memorial and the Southwest Community Center, which serve as pilot locations for the initial implementation of the program. Expansion plans will be sought with opportunity for additional library locations within the city of Syracuse that are within the Onondaga County Public Library system.

CNY Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Awarded $3,000 by 40 Below 

The CNY chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will create a design competition and implement selected designs for installations in various areas and districts within Downtown Syracuse. An oversight panel and committees will actively identify potential sites, solicit bids, coordinate with applicants, and determine projects that carry out the purpose of the program. Selected designs will engage people while also integrating the physical surroundings of where the installation is located. Fundraising and other financial resources beyond what is provided by 40 Below will be generated by the oversight board with the goal of create a self-sustaining competition that lasts beyond the initial 2016 program year.

Supporting Our Young Leaders (SOYL)
Awarded $1,000 by 40 Below

SOYL (Supporting Our Young Leaders) is a free monthly lecture series designed to connect college students with local entrepreneurs. Each month, three presenters (one student, one local businessperson, and one entrepreneur) present for 15 minutes each on a particular theme (7.5 minute talk and 7.5 minutes of Q&A with the audience). After all three present, attendees and presenters participate in 30 minutes of networking. In addition to the lecture series, we plan to create a mobile app for SOYL that will serve as a tool for local college students, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the area to connect and network.

Engage

We engage with our community to make Syracuse a better place to live and work through our Civic Engagement and Transit Task Forces. Click the icons below to learn more about how you can get involved.

Connect

We connect to job opportunities, professional and social networks, and the arts community through our Career Connect and Public Arts Task Force, and Syracuse Coworks. Click the icons below to learn more about how you can get involved.

Create

We connect new works of art and launch businesses through our Public Arts Task Force and Syracuse Coworks. Click the icons below to learn more about how you can get involved.