Who We Are
Spokane SOUP is Spokane’s micro-granting community dinner, rooted in a simple idea: the best ideas and the strongest communities are formed around a shared meal.
The name SOUP comes from how this movement began: people gathering around a bowl of soup to listen, share, and support one another. It also draws inspiration from the classic classic European folk tale – the Stone Soup story—where everyone brings what they can, and together they create something nourishing for the whole community. That’s the spirit behind SOUP.
Spokane SOUP creates space for collaboration, generosity, and democracy in action. Every person in the room has a voice. Every vote matters. When we come together, our community is stronger.
Spokane SOUP held its first official event in the fall of 2025, welcoming around 200 attendees to eat together, connect, and collectively fund a local idea.
How It Works
A dinner is held in a community event space. Guests are invited to make a donation typically $15 - 25 which includes:
A meal
A seat at the table with fellow community members
One vote
During the event:
You’ll hear four local proposals
Each presenter has 4 minutes to share their idea (no slides, no audio—just the idea)
The audience can ask up to 4 questions per proposal
Everyone eats, discusses, and then votes
The idea with the most votes receives the admission money to help bring their idea to life – announced at the dinner.
Even when a proposal doesn’t win, connections are made, conversations continue, and ideas often find support beyond the grant. Proposals not selected remain in our pool for future SOUP dinners.
Our Roots
The SOUP model originated in Detroit, Michigan, where Detroit SOUP began as a small gathering around soup and grew into a powerful grassroots movement supporting local ideas. Spokane SOUP proudly carries that tradition forward, grounded in food, community, and collective action.