DMoC is excited to partner with NeoCon Talks to present Grassroots & Grants: Designing a Better Chicago. This event will take place on the NeoCon Talks Stage, located on the 7th floor of theMart.

Join Tanner Woodford, the Founder of DMoC, and a selection of 2026 Designing a Better Chicago grantees for an engaging series of lightning talks that spotlight innovative, community-driven design initiatives taking root across the city. Bringing together a diverse group of practitioners using design as a powerful tool for social impact, these talks will address Chicago’s most pressing challenges. Each speaker will highlight findings from their work that use design principles to creatively tackle social problems—from food insecurity to expanding access to educational opportunities.

The 2026 Grantees will be announced May 18, 2026.

Entry requires a free registration to NeoCon.