The Springfield Project at CAP 1908

🚨 VENDOR APPLICATIONS CLOSE THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 5 🚨

The 1908 Culture Fest: Summer Market Series is a four-week cultural marketplace experience designed to celebrate culture, community, creativity, and local entrepreneurship in the Southtown Cultural District.

We're currently accepting vendor applications and are looking for businesses and organizations that align with the vision of this unique community experience.

We're seeking:
Small Businesses
Artists & Creatives
Cultural Goods & Handmade Products
Community Organizations
Food Vendors

Week 1 — African Culture, Week 2 — Latino / Hispanic Culture,
Week 3 — Caribbean Culture, Week 4 — Black Culture

📍 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center
1100 South Grand Ave. E., Springfield, IL
🗓 Saturdays beginning July 11
⏰ 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Vendor applications and inquiries will be accepted through Friday, June 5, 2026. Following the application period, vendors will be selected to help create a curated and engaging experience for attendees throughout the series.

Interested in learning more?

(217) 670-8520
[email protected]

Tag a small business, artist, creative, or food vendor who should be part of this experience.

This month's 'CAPture Your Potential' session will be facilitated by Dr. Macy Ferguson-Smith.

They will be providing our quarterly session on Trauma-Informed Approaches, which is free and open to the community, before the series breaks for the summer.

Bring a friend, bring your team, register at the link below!

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ef2657f6746d4ff99f4d4a7d6b090eb2

🚨 CALLING ALL VENDORS 🚨

We’re curating something different for Springfield this summer, and we’re looking for the right vendors to be part of it.

The 1908 Culture Fest: Summer Market Series will feature 4 weeks of culture, community, and curated experiences, and we’re selecting vendors that align with the vision.

✨ Cultural goods
✨ Small businesses
✨ Artists & creatives
✨ Food vendors

📍 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center – 1100 South Grand Ave, E.
🗓 Saturdays starting July 11
⏰ 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Spots are limited — apply now or reach out for more information.

📞 (217) 670-8520
📧 [email protected]

We’re excited to introduce the 1908 Culture Fest: Summer Market Series, a 4-week cultural marketplace experience launching July 11th in Springfield’s Southtown Cultural District.

If you’re interested in participating as a vendor or sponsor, please contact:

Nate Robinson
[email protected]
(217) 670-8520

People ask all the time, “What does The Springfield Project actually do?”

As a community development organization, we work to bring people, partners, and resources together to strengthen Springfield neighborhoods that have been overlooked for too long.

That looks like supporting small businesses, creating opportunities for young people, connecting residents to resources, building workforce pathways, hosting community programs, and helping bring new life to our neighborhoods.

At the core of it, we’re about access, opportunity, and community.

That’s the work.
That’s the mission.

👀👀👀👀

TODAY!!!!!

CAPWorks is hosting a Trade Career Discovery Day TODAY—and this could be your first step toward a real career in the skilled trades.
If you’ve ever thought about getting into:

⚡ Electrical
🔧 Plumbing & HVAC
🧱 Construction & Carpentry
This is your chance to learn how to get started.

📅 TODAY – April 1
⏰ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center
1108 South Grand Ave E, Springfield, IL

At this FREE event, you’ll:
✔ Learn how apprenticeships work (yes—you can get paid while learning)
✔ Explore real career paths in the trades
✔ Get info on certifications and training
✔ Find out how to apply for the CAPWorks Pre-Apprenticeship Program

No experience needed, just show up.
If you’re tired of working hard without a clear path forward, don’t miss this.

👉 Come through today. Bring a friend.

📩 Questions? Email: [email protected]

CAPWorks is hosting a Trade Career Discovery Day right here in Springfield and it could be your first step toward a career.
If you’ve ever thought about getting into:

⚡ Electrical
🔧 Plumbing & HVAC
🧱 Construction & Carpentry
…and other skilled trades
This event is for you.

📅 April 1
⏰ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center
1108 South Grand Ave E, Springfield, IL
At this FREE event, you’ll:

✔ Learn how apprenticeships work (and how you can get paid while learning)
✔ Explore real career paths in the trades
✔ Get information on certifications and training
✔ Find out how to apply for the CAPWorks Pre-Apprenticeship Program
No experience needed—just a willingness to learn and take the next step.

If you’re tired of working hard without a clear path forward, this is your opportunity to change that.

📩 Have questions? Message us directly at: [email protected]

You don’t need a big budget to build something big.

You need the right strategy.

Join us for Thrive in SPI @ 1908 as we wrap up our Monthly Business & Community Sessions with:

Marketing on a Limited Budget

Because most entrepreneurs aren’t working with endless resources—we’re building, testing, learning, and growing in real time.

This session is about doing more with what you have.

📍 Real strategies you can apply immediately
📍 Honest conversation about what actually works
📍 A space to connect, learn, and grow

We’re proud to partner with Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance to continue creating opportunities for business and community to thrive—together.

🗓 Thursday, 3.26.2026
⏰ Starts at 4PM
📍 1908 Innovation & Coworking Center

Come ready to learn.
Leave ready to move.

👇🏿Tag a business owner who needs to be in the room

#1908

Trust isn’t built in speeches.
It’s built in consistency.

Your reputation isn’t what you say about yourself.
It’s what people experience from you.

Day 3 of Become → Attract is about becoming reliable.

In a world full of promises…
Be the person who follows through.

In a world full of noise…
Be the person whose word still means something.

Because when people know they can count on you —
doors open.

Partnerships form.
Opportunities grow.
Communities strengthen.

At The Springfield Project, we believe trust is the foundation of leadership and community.

Your word is your currency.

Protect it.
Build with it.
Stand on it.

Because when you become reliable…
you don’t have to chase trust.

Trust finds you.