Ideas We Should Steal

Help for Renters and Landlords

A New Jersey landlord waived the rent for his tenants over the next three months—something most property owners probably can’t afford. How can both sides get relief?

By Andy Metzger
Ideas We Should Steal

Dumplings Against Hate

The grassroots campaign raises funds for businesses in New York's Chinatowns and fights coronavirus-related racism. A local activist hopes to bring it here.

By Brianna Baker
Ideas We Should Steal

HBCU Week

At the Wilmington event, hundreds of students get on-the-spot admissions and scholarships to attend historically black colleges. Philly’s high schoolers could use the same chance

By Katherine Rapin
Ideas We Should Steal

Redistributing Medication

Thirty-eight states—but not Pennsylvania—operate programs that recycle surplus prescription drugs, eliminating waste and providing them to residents who couldn’t otherwise afford them

By Brianna Baker
Ideas We Should Steal

Harmony Project

The Columbus, OH, nonprofit connects people across lines of difference to sing and to serve more than 60,000 volunteer hours per year. Is there room in Philly for something similar?

By Jill Harkins

Can Basketball Keep People Out of Prison?

Police say returning citizen Taylor Paul’s inner-city league for young adults and cops in Richmond, Virginia, has markedly reduced the gun violence rate.

By Larry Platt
Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2019

City Workers as Problem-Solvers

A conversation with Brian Elms, a speaker at next week’s Ideas We Should Steal Festival, on how empowering employees can make cities work better for everyone

By Bloomberg Cities
Ideas We Should Steal

CultureHouse

The Boston-area nonprofit builds indoor pop-up community spaces in vacant storefronts, spurring foot traffic and connections. Can a group of intrigued Philadelphians successfully bring it here?

By Jill Harkins
Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2019

The (New) Sound of Philly

Hill-Freedman World Academy students created an album that showcases the power of music to unite. Check out this story from June, and then see the students perform at our Ideas We Should Steal Festival

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

Using Civic Leaders to Make Government Smarter

Had your fill of incompetent local government? In Chicago, pro-bono civic leaders help implement smart policy

By Larry Platt