Mental Model Makeover Challenge

Mental Model Makeover Challenge

Let's work together to develop better mental models. Enter the challenge below to earn raffle tickets for the grand prize.

Reality is complicated. Mental models simplify it. A “mental model” is a representation used to understand or reason about the world. An example of a mental model is when reserves or rainy-day funds are likened to a savings account. This takes the complicated reality of fund balances and reduces it to a concept that people are familiar with in their personal lives.

Everyone uses mental models. However, those models may not be explicitly recognized. And just like some maps are better for navigating roadways than others, some mental models are better for navigating reality than others.

Public finance professionals often wish their audiences were better informed about public finance. Providing people with better mental models is a shortcut to help them become better informed and make better decisions. The Mental Model Makeover Challenge encouraged the GFOA community to work together to develop better mental models. The deadline to enter has passed. Stay tuned to hear updates on the winning entries.

Click here to read our report on Simplifying Complexity. Want to listen to an audio version of the report instead? Simply scroll down and hit the play button on the audio player.

Fund Accounting and the Color of Money

Grants in a special revenue fund can only be used for the purposes of the grants, not operations. Provide a mental model to help people understand these restrictions.

The Open Division

The Open Division. You tell us the public finance issue you think needs a better mental model and then show us the better mental model for it.

Rules and Challenge Info...

  1. You can only submit one entry per division (six categories above), but you can compete in as many divisions as you like.
  2. Each division can have multiple winners. You win by submitting a great idea.
  3. If your entry is named a winner in a division, you get a virtual raffle ticket to become the Grand Prize Winner. (We'll let you know if you are a winner and we'll track the raffle tickets.)
  4. You can win a bonus raffle ticket if you have tested your idea with a live audience.
  5. We'll hold a drawing of all the virtual raffle tickets on or around March 3, 2025.
  6. The grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to GFOA's 119th Annual Conference, in Washington, D.C., June 29-July 2.
  7. The use of generative artificial intelligence is completely acceptable.

View official contest rules.

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